First campaign speeches

Here are the two “State of the Nation” (just a title of convenience) speeches delivered this week. The first is by Phil Goff, Leader of the Opposition, and Leader of the NZ Labour Party in Parliament, who delivered his speech January 25. The second speech is by John Key, the Prime Minister and leader of the New Zealand National Party in Parliament, who delivered his speech the day after Phil Goff.

Neither speech has had many views as I post this, which is why I’m posting them here: More New Zealanders should be able to see them, and getting them posted in more places can only help. These are effectively the first campaign speeches by the two main parties as we head into the 2011 New Zealand General Election later this year. As such, they begin to sketch out what the two main parties will do should they have the opportunity to lead government, and that’s why they’re important.