KEY POINTS:
John Key's log: 07-11-2008
Yesterday I started my whistlestop of eight centres around New Zealand.
We flew in a chartered plane to Napier for a breakfast BBQ organised by the party, then on to Taupo to address supporters.
We travelled on to Christchurch for a rally
and walkabout in the Square (complete with a handful of protesters) and a mall visit.
Then it was on to Nelson for a brief stop before ending in Wellington last night. Today we fly to Palmerston North, then New Plymouth, and finally Auckland.
Our campaign bus will then take me to a closing rally in the Helensville electorate.
It's been an amazing four weeks, starting just before the campaign proper with our economic and tax package.
The best part of the campaign has been meeting New Zealanders from all walks of life and talking with them about the challenges they face, and we all face, as a country.
One anecdote suffices about the mood of the country. During the mall visit in Christchurch a builder told me he'd been a lifetime Labour voter but was changing his vote to us this time because he has had enough of Labour.
He told me he had just lost valuable work because of the stifling effect of the Resource Management Act. National has a plan that includes reforming that law, to help get New Zealand moving again.
My message to New Zealand is simple - it's time to get rid of the political distractions and sideshows, and it's time to choose a Government that is focused on what matters to you.
John Key
Helen Clark's log: 07-11-2008
I had a full day in Auckland yesterday which began with half a dozen radio interviews before heading to Wiri to announce government funding for a rail link for Ports of Auckland.
There were also walkabouts at Manukau and Sylvia Park malls, and at Manukau I was joined by league stars Stacey Jones and Wairangi Koopu.
I have known Stacey for many years and presented awards to him at Mt Albert Rugby League Club prizegivings when he was a junior player. Even then it was obvious he was going to be a star and it had been a pleasure to see him become an all-time great of New Zealand league.
He is a strong supporter of Labour and it was a privilege to have him on the walkabout.
Barack Obama's amazing victory in the US presidential election is still big news. He is a progressive politician and the US has moved to the left in reaction to the international financial turmoil.
This is relevant to our economy because Labour also offers progressive policies. It would be a travesty if New Zealand lurches to the right just as the US elects someone as progressive as Barack Obama.
New Zealand has a choice between keeping a Labour-led Government and a National Party offering only slogans and a determination to cut spending and public services.
Labour is offering strong leadership with a proven track record, to help the country come through the economic downturn.
Helen Clark