New Zealand opposition National Party launches election campaign

WELLINGTON, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand's largest opposition National Party leader John Key on Sunday unleashed a blistering attack on the Labor party's economic credibility.

He made his assault in a speech in Auckland on Sunday afternoon at his party's general election campaign launch, the News talk ZB radio reported.

Key said Labor has managed to disguise its loose economic management in the good times, but now the tide is out they are awfully exposed.

Key said on the current state of the government's books, Finance Minister Michael Cullen's number is up and he has signed his valedictory in red ink.

National packed in around 1,100 people, including MPs, candidates, party members, and supporters, at the SkyCity Convention Center for the launch. The audience included former leader Don Brash, who came within a whisker of defeating Labor in 2005.

New Zealand will hold its general election on Nov. 8.