Happy Diwali. I wish you all the very best for your celebrations.
The Festival of Lights is an important celebration for many people in New Zealand.
It is a vibrant celebration for our Indian communities.
In the past, I have always enjoyed attending Diwali celebrations. The warm and welcoming spirit and the colourful entertainment make it a wonderful occasion and a must-do for many.
I hope you enjoy this year’s Diwali celebrations with your family and friends.
Diwali is also an opportunity to recognise the growing contribution that our Indian communities make to our culture, our economy, and our overall success as a Nation.
As Prime Minister, I value the strong relationship that the National-led Government has with our Indian communities. We are committed to ensuring that your voice is heard at the highest levels of Government.
Economic boost
Last fortnight, I was in Southeast Asia, attending the APEC Leaders’ meeting in Bali and the East Asia Summit in Brunei. This trip was a wonderful opportunity to discuss a wide range of important topics of regional interest with other world leaders.
One of these topics was the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which is a multi-billion dollar trade deal that will give our economy a significant boost. At the APEC Leaders’ meeting, it was a great privilege for me to chair the discussions on the deal in the absence of US President Barack Obama.
TPP deal
There are 12 nations involved in the negotiations and together they represent 40% of the global economy. The TPP will allow New Zealand exporters better access to some of the world’s biggest economies. So, alongside the other leaders of these economies, I was pleased to announce that we are on track to complete the negotiations by the end of this year.
Special Housing Areas
Housing Minister Nick Smith has announced the first batch of Special Housing Areas under the Auckland Housing Accord.
This will bring 6000 new sections onto the market to address the issue of land supply, which is the most important thing we can do to improve housing supply and affordability in Auckland.
National values home ownership. It provides stability for communities and security for retirement. But we also know that at the moment, our housing market is not as efficient as it could be.
This announcement marks another important step as part of our comprehensive package of reforms to improve housing affordability, and ensure more people can attain the Kiwi dream of owning their own home. It is all a part of the brighter future we are building for you and your family.
John Key is Prime Minister of New Zealand. He is seen speaking at Diwali 2012 held in Auckland on October 13, 2013.
