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United Future
Since: Aug 2007
Posts: 314

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BLOG: In the heart of Onehunga

Our conference on the weekend was held in the heart of Onehunga. Not downtown Auckland. Not the CBD of Wellington. Not in some corporate convention white-washed-walled elevator-music-playing edifice.

Just simple, straight-forward, diverse, colourful Onehunga. I am proud to say our attendees mirrored that. Someone remarked to me that they were fascinated by the mix of people present, and then concluded it was, 'like New Zealand actually'.

When is the last time you went to any group, community, religious, sporting or otherwise, where the mix was truly diverse?

I said in my speech that the "critical resource for any party to make a positive difference for NZ'ers is access. That is why our greatest effort is put into developing and nurturing networks of people whom we call upon, work with, and engage in addressing the pressing issues at hand".

I think our audience on Saturday spoke louder than my words. Read the full text of this blog post.

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Damian Light
Since: Aug 2007
Posts: 36

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It was a fantastic event at the perfect venue !! Really felt that it was at the heart of the community.

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mcinnes
Since: Apr 2008
Posts: 53

What can I say! The Press took it for what it was - an enlightening event worthy of media exposure at all levels, print, radio & TV

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Denise Krum
Since: Aug 2007
Posts: 34
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I met lots of new people that clearly demonstrate we are on a new, inclusive path that leaves people in rather than out. It wasn't just ethnicities that caught my attention on the weekend (although there were Samoans, pakehas, Taiwanese, Indians, Kurdish-Iraqi, Fijian, Chinese, American, Brits, to name a few!)

The mix of gender and age was a feature too! Josh McInnes (just turned 18 and ready to vote!) was there, along with John Willocks (well i can't in all good conscience put down his age...but lets just say he is senior!) and all had a good time together. Very inspiring for what it is we hope for in our communities.

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Quentin Todd
Since: Nov 2007
Posts: 68

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Yep, the age range told me a lot too. The questions and answers after speeches set a new tone and approach. Listening and answering as best as Peter and Judy and others could showed me everyone had their heads out of the clouds and feet firmly on the earth called Reality.

Yep, it was good to see Josh McInnes and Hayden (Parliamentary Advisor for Peter's office) and Yep, it was great to see a very fired up and encouraging senior and his warm hearted wife.

Yep, It was the first time I have been able to be in a room full of intelligent and like minded people- I have been working with much younger people and it was just refreshing to be able to have someone likeminded to talk to.

Yep, I would like to be a Parliamentary Advisor to UnitedFuture because...

They are united about the future of this nation.

Yep, all most forgot- the hospitality of the Martin Hautus Institute was amazing- the mussels particularly- I really felt like a squirrel wanting to store as much of it as I could and nibble nibble

Yep, I am soooo ready for a career change to politics and ready to help support UnitedFuture.

Bring It On....

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peter dunne
Since: May 2008
Posts: 38

A commentator recently described UnitedFuture as representing the silent majority. Looking around the conference reminded me of that. This was modern New Zealand - in all its manifestations - talking about the issues that matter to it. It's a great platform upon which to build.

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Gina Woodfield
Since: Aug 2007
Posts: 3

It was a superb conference and so great to see as Peter says the "silent majority" represented. one of the candidates speeches referred to the fact that minority interests have voices and political vehicles, so about time there was a political party that truly reflected interests shared by huge numbers of New Zealanders. It seems that often that this silent majority is so busy getting on with day to day issues that getting involved with a political party is way down the "to do list".

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Judy Turner
Since: Aug 2007
Posts: 22

I loved the Pacifika hospitality!

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angryBob
Since: Aug 2007
Posts: 12

The overall vibe was positive and people were up the whole time. I thought it was a good roll on from Wellington and bodes well for the next 6 months. The two panels were both great. Only wish there had been more time for questions.

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Brian Ward
Since: Dec 2007
Posts: 10

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Great to see the 'face of the party' together at the conference! We seem to be all too genuine and caring to be politicians - but thats what NZ needs - we are undoubtably leaders in this cusp of change towards a more dignified parliament and a more caring society.

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mcinnes
Since: Apr 2008
Posts: 53

Is there another conference due soon????....Maybe we should have them monthly & release new policy at each one to effectively revolutionise the standard & quality of living in our dear wee country!

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mcinnes
Since: Apr 2008
Posts: 53

Could you please post your speech about ' a bridge to nowhere' as it really was 'politically correct' in the right sense of the words in that it showed what has been going on in NZ & what could help change matters for the better.

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