Prime Minister John Key speaks to AUT backpacker conference

The Prime Minister of New Zealand John Key spoke to the backpackers industry conference today suggesting that many world economies are looking as if they're coming out of the recession, particulaly China which may prove to become a major market for backpackers. He spoke about preserving an image of being a safe country, with recent crimes agains tourists being potentially very bad for the industry. NZ Cycleway was mentioned as being a long term significant project to attract tourists to New Zealand.

Smart electronics are going to be used in NZ passports shortly to ease travel into and out of NZ. He suggested that passengers may exit Auckland airport in less than 8 minutes.  Biosecurity may also get a technology boost for detecting agricultural products before entry into NZ.

New Zealand should lead the way in broadband infrastructure, said Key. The internet is seen to be the way forwards for New Zealand to market itself to the rest of the world and there is to be continued marketing investment in social network sites.  Working holiday programs will continue to be developed as they are a large attractor for the youth and backpacker market.

He also spoke about the recent empahsis on climate change. Climate change is based on 1990s levels and the problem is NZ has had the fastest population growth of any developed country over that period. 70% of our electricity already comes from renewal power sources like hydro and half of our emmisions come from agriculture; so the %40 reduction is difficult for NZ. Key removed himself from supporting Acts position and wants to situate National as attempting a balancing act between climate change and economic growth.

Listen to a podcast of Mr. Keys speech