National Party conference held in Auckland

The Prime Minister's promising planned protest action at this weekend's National Party conference won't sway the Government from its agenda.

John Key's told delegates protesters can be expected to be seen outside this weekend's event.

He says one of the great thing about our democracy is the right to protest.

"Another great thing about our democracy is the right of the democratically elected government to get on with the job it has won a mandate for. So let me assure you, and everyone else watching, that that's exactly what we'll be doing."

He says he's well satisfied with the position his party's in after almost six years in the top job.

Mr Key believes the National Party is in good shape and says it's in extremely good heart at the moment.

"We've seen a very loyal base that's been with us now, frankly actually since I've been the leader in the late 2006. If you look at our polling, it's been very consistent over that period of time, (sometimes) do a little bit better, a little bit worse, but overall it's been very good."

The Finance Minister believes the global financial crisis has changed the rules of political campaigning.

Bill English has spoken of the long term, and the potentially generational impact the economic downturn is likely to have on politics.

"We are seeing there as the end of the post-war economic model, it is about politicians borrowing a lot of money to buy votes. Now the world will no longer lend more money to them."

And National is also identifying the seats it wants to take off Labour at the next election.

Party president Peter Goodfellow's naming three such seats he reckons National nearly nabbed in 2011.

Mr Goodfellow also hopes to see National win back West Coast Tasman as well.

"Rimutaka, Palmerston North, and Dunedin South all came, for example, so close to turning blue that they are within reach next time."

He also says the party can be proud of its diversity in Parliament.

But Mr Goodfellow does want to see more women MPs there.

"And let's make sure that we retain that diversity by encouraging further strong, capable women to join our ranks and enrol in the college."

Meanwhile there's been a Labour tinge at the opening of the National Party conference in Auckland this morning.

Auckland mayor Len Brown has opened the two day conference and he's sent a not-too-subtle hint about the city's transport issues.

Joking that he took the train to the conference this morning, Mr Brown's made a point of highlighting the transport and infrastructure needs of the city.

He says he hopes the Government has an open mind on the issue.

Photo: National MP and Finance Minister Bill English (NZ Herald)