This was a brave first-off speech by John Key as leader of the National Party.
He is no thundering public speaker. But today it was what he said - and what he hinted at - rather than how he said it that mattered.
He has signalled that National'sMaori policy is under review. He is able to ease National out of the cul-de-sac created by Don Brash that abolishing the Maori seats was a bottom line principle. The issue for John Key is now one of timing; the Maori seats will be abolished, sometime.
His is a flexible vision. He maintained that while there were core National principles, policies may vary according to the problems facing each new generation.
These are as much prods to the National party faithful, as to the wider public. Things may change.
His is the language of inclusion.
He seemed to subtly reach out to the gay community, as well as to solo parents, saying he was not interested in pre-judging the make-up of New Zealand families.
He emphasised how much needs to be done on climate change, reaching out to the Greens.
If there is something to watch from Mr Key, it could be the issue of education. He made much of the importance of his state education as a start-up to a useful life. It may be he is looking at education policy reforms as a way to challenge Labour in the centre of politics.
