Bill English: National committed to doing more for environment

Bill English said National was now in a position to use the surplus to "spread the benefits across the community". Photo / Michael Craig

National leader Bill English's campaign pitch to a group of staff at Vodafone was interrupted by a solitary heckler demanding to know what he was doing for poverty and the environment.

After English finished speaking the man was quickly ushered out before media could get to him.

English has said a fourth term National Government would be committed to doing more for the environment now the books were in robust shape.

Speaking to Vodafone staff in Mt Eden, English said National was now in a position to use the surplus to "spread the benefits across the community".

That included the environment and child poverty.

English quoted farmer Andrew McGiven who had said at a Morrinsville farmers' rally "it's hard to be green if you're in the red".

"Well, it's a lot easier when you're in the black," English said.

He said Labour economic policies had "been tried and failed before and that's why we don't have them".

He pointed to its industrial relations plans and Labour leader Jacinda Ardern's wish to renegotiate trade agreements.

English also spoke to the staff about housing, saying housing supply was in the pipeline.

"Our job is to get young people into them"

Son Rory and wife Mary are with English on the campaign trail.