Live politics 20.01

Nicola Wills emerged from the morning tea break in Christchurch with a spring in her step, greeting reporters and announcing spritely that it was “game on” heading towards the coming election.

Asked about budget cuts made by the Government leading to higher levels of unemployment, Willis said she disagreed the Government’s decisions were to blame.

“I agree that unemployment has been a challenge,” she said, adding that the Government was committed to addressing it and would continue to do so.

Willis said she was confident New Zealand was heading in the right direction.

“We want to avoid the mess we had in the past. Our economy has stable inflation, low interest rates and good growth prospects.”

The upcoming election would feature a “really clear contrast” between the parties, Willis said.

“[The Government] is focused on responsible management, growing this economy, providing more opportunities for Kiwis,” she said, in contrast to Labour’s focus on “more debt, more spending, more taxation.”

The National Party caucus is meeting in Christchurch for their annual retreat.

- Reporting from Jake Kenny