Government ‘work plan’ outlined

AUCKLAND: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters and Greens coleader James Shaw presented a united front at an event yesterday in which Ms Ardern outlined the next steps in the Government’s plans for the country.

With the first anniversary of the formation of the coalition Government next month, and with some public division recently on policy, Ms Ardern delivered what, she said, was the ‘‘Cabinetmandated, coalition Government work plan’’.

‘‘This plan represents our shared vision and priorities; Labour, New Zealand First and the Greens,’’ Ms Ardern told an audience at the AUT campus in Auckland.

Mr Peters made opening remarks before Ms Ardern’s speech, and the trio appeared at a media conference afterwards.

Ms Ardern outlined 12 priority areas in the economy, wellbeing and government leadership. She said they reflected contributions from each of the parties and reiterated the commitments set out in documents created after the election last year.

‘‘This plan represents our shared vision and priorities; Labour, New Zealand First and the Greens. It establishes the foundation for the Government’s work and includes issues of particular importance to each of the parties which are supported by all of them.’’

Through the 12 priority areas, New Zealanders could clearly see what the Government was doing and what its priorities were, and provided certainty on its direction.

Ms Ardern addressed the recent differences of opinion between the coalition partners, saying ‘‘perhaps it’s because we have never had a government quite like ours that we cause a little bit of chat.

‘‘It should come as no surprise though, that as three distinct parties, we will have different opinions and ideas. Those didn’t begin and nor did they end at the negotiating table.’’

Mr Peters said he was ‘‘extraordinarily happy’’ with the coalition. — The New Zealand Herald