Labour started its life as a party of change - a voice for the working classes who believed that a fairer future was possible.
Many of those first involved just wanted the basics - adequate food, clothing and shelter; a job with reasonable conditions and regular wages; support in illness or old age; and a hope for an even brighter future for their children.
From those first beginnings in 1916 Labour was quick to grow. It broadened its policies and membership to reflect the aspirations of all those who wanted to change New Zealand for the better. And those values continue today.
When Michael Joseph Savage led Labour to a sweeping victory in 1935, he promised major changes. Over the next few years Labour introduced a series of measures which have become fundamentals of New Zealand society and culture.
For the first time access to health care became affordable for all. The State assumed a major responsibility to provide low cost housing to those in need. A comprehensive social welfare system gave support and security to the elderly, the sick, and those without employment.
Access was opened to secondary and tertiary education. The New Zealand economy was transformed and unemployment was reduced dramatically. Workers also benefited from the introduction of the 40 hour week, and legislation making it easier for unions to negotiate on their behalf.
Under Michael Savage, Labour formed an enduring partnership with Maori. Labour began the process whereby redress was made for the wrongs of the past, the particular needs of Maori were addressed, and the unique qualities of Maori culture could be both recognised and fostered.
In 1940 Peter Fraser became Prime Minister. The contributions of the armed services during World War Two were immense, as were those of civilians. Labour sought to ensure that the burdens of war were equally shared.
Between 1945 and 1949 Labour presided over the rebuilding of a prosperous peacetime society. Peter Fraser also played a major role in the establishment of the United Nations. Successive Labour Governments have built upon the foundations laid down by Savage and Fraser.
From 1957 to 1960 the Walter Nash Labour Government continued the progressive foreign policies of the first Labour Government, by championing the interests of smaller countries. In 1960, the introduction of Equal Pay for Women for Equal Work in the Public Service paved the way for its full adoption four years later.
Norman Kirk and Bill Rowling led the third Labour Government from 1972 to 1975. Kirk's decision in 1973 to bar a racially selected Springbok team from entry was a major step towards building a more mature national identity of our own. Another of their lasting legacies was the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC), a body that to this day continues to support kiwis so they can return to health as early as possible, regain independence, and participate in the community.
The Fourth Labour Government (1984-1990), led successively by David Lange, Geoffrey Palmer and Mike Moore took difficult and long overdue decisions necessary for the modernisation of the New Zealand Economy. Lange clarified on the world stage New Zealand's anti-nuclear stance, which gained New Zealand great international respect. And in 1985 the Waitangi Tribunal's powers were extended to cover Crown acts and omissions dating back to 1840.
Even in the periods between 1951 and 1984 when Labour was out of office its ideas were often centre stage. Successive National Governments admitted that they held power by "stealing Labour's clothes". However the National Government of the 1990s ended this by adopting extremist policies in industrial relations and economic management.
When the Helen Clark lead Fifth Labour Government was elected in 1999, New Zealand turned the corner. Labour transformed the economy and rebuilt essential public services. It led on building New Zealand's identity as an inclusive nation - projecting its values of peace, reconciliation, and social cohesion to the world. And it lead on vital sustainability issues.
The Fifth Labour Government maintained a commitment to strengthening the economy, supporting our families, funding the very best education and health systems possible, supporting older New Zealanders, supporting the Maori renaissance which is such a strength to our country, and valuing the contribution of Pasifika, Asian, and all other peoples who now call New Zealand home. New Zealand is now a stronger, better place.
Labour is optimistic for New Zealand's future, and with your support we will carry on our work for all Kiwis, and lead New Zealand to that future.
If you'd like to get involved, click here.
The Labour Party accepts the following democratic socialist principles -
• All political authority comes from the people by democratic means including universal suffrage, regular and free elections with a secret ballot.
• The natural resources of New Zealand belong to all the people and these resources, and in particular non-renewable resources, should be managed for the benefit of all, including future generations.
• All people should have equal access to all social, economic, cultural, political and legal spheres, regardless of wealth or social position, and continuing participation in the democratic process.
• Co-operation, rather than competition, should be the main governing factor in economic relations, in order that a greater amount and a just distribution of wealth can be ensured.
• All people are entitled to dignity, self-respect and the opportunity to work.
• All people, either individually or in groups, may own wealth or property for their own use, but in any conflict of interest people are always more important than property and the state must ensure a just distribution of wealth.
• The Treaty of Waitangi is the founding document of New Zealand and that the Treaty should be honoured in government, society and the family.
• Peace and social justice should be promoted throughout the world by international co-operation and mutual respect.
• The same basic human rights, protected by the State, apply to all people, regardless or race, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religious faith, political belief or disability.
David Shearer
Leader of the Opposition MP for Mt Albert Spokesperson for the SIS Spokesperson for Science & Innovation
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Grant Robertson
Deputy Leader MP for Wellington Central Spokesperson for Employment, Skills and Training Spokesperson for Arts, Culture & Heritage
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David Parker
Labour List MP Spokesperson for Finance Shadow Attorney-General
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Jacinda Ardern
Labour List MP Spokesperson for Social Development Spokesperson for Children Associate Spokesperson for Arts, Culture & Heritage
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Clayton Cosgrove
Labour List MP Spokesperson for State Owned Enterprises Spokesperson for Commerce Spokesperson for Trade Negotiations Associate Finance Spokesperson
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Annette King
MP for Rongotai Spokesperson for Health
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Shane Jones
Labour List MP Spokesperson for Regional Development Spokesperson for Forestry Associate Finance Spokesperson
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Phil Twyford
MP for Te Atatū Spokesperson for Housing Spokesperson for Auckland Issues Associate Spokesperson for the Environment
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Maryan Street
Labour List MP Spokesperson for the Environment Spokesperson for Disarmament & Arms Control Associate Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs
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Chris Hipkins
MP for Rimutaka Chief Whip Spokesperson for Education
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Use the links below to download the material you're after.
If you need further help please contact us on 0800 4 LABOUR (0800 4 522 687) or email: office@labour.org.nz
Downloadable material
Direct giving (Victory for Labour) forms - PDF
Labour Party constitution and rules - PDF
Labour's 2011 Policy Manifesto - PDF
Draft Policy Platform
At the 2012 Annual Conference, Labour agreed to create a Policy Platform. This will be a binding framework that sets out how Labour will approach government. Detailed policy will still be published closer to an election in a Manifesto. More information on the DRAFT Policy Platform can be found by clicking here.
21 Feb 2013
It has been around a year since the start of the Labour Party's post-election organisational review.
In November last year 622 registered delegates (the largest number at a Labour Conference since 1988) met to formally pass a number of the recommendations you helped provide as part of the Organisation Review. What emerged from our Conference decisions were significant long-term elements of our democratisation process, with a level and type of member participation in line with similar parties in other democracies.
The most important aspect of the Review is now our focus….moving quickly from the talk to the action! It’s the implementation of the agreed changes that is essential to being the organising machine that delivers government. Over the past two months New Zealand Council has been looking closely at the implementation plan, and particularly the priority of getting the new hubs working well across New Zealand.
A working group was set up at Conference to look at candidate selection matters, and how to achieve gender equality in the numbers of men and women Labour MPs. The work of this group will be discussed at regional conferences in April to June 2013.
In addition, the Policy Council is working on the first round of our policy platforms, another new initiative and these will be ready for discussion, debate and amendment (with new policy proposals you can submit) at the Regional Conferences starting from April to June of this year.
Furthermore, we have developed the administrative rules to be used as we change the way we elect the Parliamentary Party Leader and are working on implementing the remainder of the recommendations agreed to as we prepare to return to Government at the next election.
It is an exciting time, but we need your support to keep this work going.
Organisational Review Recommendations
17 July 2012
The New Zealand Council of the Labour Party has now endorsed a wide range of important changes for our Labour Party organisation.
Click here to read the one-page summary
Your feedback in the Organisational Review gave us clear messages on the changes we need to make as a Party if we want to connect with New Zealanders and succeed at the General Election in 2014. More than 1000 people had their say on the changes they wanted. The Review’s Working Group listened carefully, analysed all your feedback and provided a set of recommendations that were discussed, commented on and generally endorsed at Regional Conferences. This document contains the recommendations that have subsequently been agreed by New Zealand Council.
Click here to read the review recommendations
We would like to thank everyone who has taken part in the process so far. The response has been inspiring. We warmly acknowledge our leadership team David Shearer and Grant Robertson who are committed to leading effective change and made time for meetings up and down the country. The Working Group has shown extraordinary energy and skill since March, running two nationwide consultations and providing a set of practical well-supported recommendations on target in mid July. Warmest thanks to its members: Ruth Chapman (who coordinated their work), Nanaia Mahuta, Rick Barker and Mark Hutchinson. The Advisory Group comprising Tim Barnett, Sophia Blair, Bryan Gould, Selwyn Pellet, Rob Salmond and Margaret Wilson gave wise counsel and challenging perspectives. Glenn Riddell and Maryan Street joined the working group to develop the specific constitutional recommendations for the Council. Thanks to the Australian Labor and British Labour parties particularly the ALP Secretariat and International staff who provide solid support and Hon Peter Hain (who led the UK reforms) and whose visit and presentations were so helpful.
The Party's Constitution requires that all proposals for constitutional change should be sent to members at least four months before the Annual Conference when they will be voted on, to allow plenty of time for debate and discussion.
Click here to read the constitutional ammendments - (and click here to download a current copy of the constitution)
We have had two rounds of consultation on these proposed changes. That process has helped us to feel confident that we have heard members' voices, and we have acted on what we heard. We also included evidence from overseas and debated that, along with the advice from our own Advisory Group members. We want to provide one more feedback loop on proposed rule changes before the formal voting at Conference. This is so that any significant disagreement can be identified, and possible ways to proceed explored. It will also allow us to manage the amendment process at Conference so that the debate is not overwhelmed by procedural complexity. If you have substantive feedback on the proposed rule changes please send your amendments to office AT labour.org.nz by 31 August 2012.
Reviewing and rebooting the Labour Party
10 May 2012
“Over 20 regional meetings nationwide, 300 written submissions from members and non-
members, input from academics, commentators, community groups and political parties from
Britain to Canada– Labour is ready to push the reboot button’, Labour Party President Moira
Coatsworth said today.
Click here to read the full discussion paper
“Over 1000 people participated and contributed to our review process – members and non-
members alike. Our regional meetings were energetic and full of innovative and thought
provoking ideas on how we modernise and strengthen Labour’s organisation.
2 April 2012
Our first round of consultation for our organisational review has now concluded. Our working group members are now working hard to collate all of the contributions received to form part of the Discussion Paper which will be available to members just before regional conferences starting in May.
You will get another chance to contribute your thoughts on the Discussion Paper at regional conferences and again online via the Labour Party website.
In the end close to 1000 party members and members of the public contributed their thoughts and ideas on how we can modernise our organisation and I want to thank each and everyone one of you that posted in your contribution, made an online submission and attended the nationwide meetings.
More Regional meeting feedback
23 March 2012
Palmerston North
Great turn out by local labour members in Palmerston North. Ideas ranged from new forms of fundraising online to better policy processes that members can play a more active part in. One of the stronger themes to be debated was the need for more Labour representation in the provinces and having a plan to turn them from blue to red. All in all a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
Rotorua
The Labour presence is alive and well in the tourism capital of our country – Rotorua. Great to catch up with members and play a part in the lively discussions about the future of the Labour Party. A lot of discussion over the need to mentor and guide not just aspiring politicians – but future Labour office holders which led to some really exciting suggestions.
Feedback from Regional meetings on Labour’s organisational review
16 March 2012
Napier
We kicked off our regional organisational review meetings in Napier last week - and what a great start! Great turn out by the locals and vigorous discussion was had on all topics; from leadership selection to they way we work as an organisation on the ground.
Christchurch
Great turn out at the Christchurch review meeting. Over 60 members came along to have their say and all made really valuable contributions to the discussion. Members thought the process was really positive and loved the opportunity to be able to talk about the organisation.
Labour Party President kicks off organisational review with a nationwide tour
27 Feb 2012
The Labour Party's post-election organisational review will get under way with a nationwide schedule of meetings starting next week.
“We have been working hard to establish a process that is evidence based and open. We are looking carefully at trends here and in our sister parties internationally. Now we are encouraging every member of our party to have their say to ensure the Labour Party is a modern and effective organisation,” Labour Party President Moira Coatsworth said today.
