National Party is confident it can still deliver a brighter future, despite the grim international outlook.
The party opened its annual conference in Auckland this morning, focusing on its plan for the next two years.
Finance Minister Bill English has told the National Party conference in Auckland that economic growth will come from individual businesses, and he says the Government is listening to what businesses need to expand.
Mr English says the global economic situation is like a dark cloud on the horizon which may not go away for a generation.
But he says New Zealand can’t focus on that.
“We’re focusing very much on what we can influence, and what we can influence is the confidence and the ability of businesses to make decisions that create growth,” says the Finance Minister.
Bill English says New Zealanders are paying down debt and saving more, showing they understand what’s needed from the economy.
Prime Minister John Key in his opening speech at the conference says his thoughts are with the victims of Colorado’s movie massacre.
“Many of you will have heard that at least 12 people have been killed and more than 50 others were wounded in an event of unspeakable horror,” says Mr Key.
“Of course our thoughts and families go to those that have lost loved ones as a result of that terrible tragedy.”
The Paris premiere of the Batman movie has been cancelled in the wake of the Colorado killings.
Watch the video for the full report from The Nation and Bill English's speech.
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