Labour Policy Manifesto

LABOUR MANIFESTO 2008
www.labour.org.nz
Strong Proven Leadership
Table of Contents
Accident Compensation .................................................................................................1 Agriculture .....................................................................................................................7 Arts, Culture & Heritage..............................................................................................15 Biosecurity ...................................................................................................................29 Broadcasting ................................................................................................................35 Building and Construction ...........................................................................................41 Children and their Families..........................................................................................47 Climate Change............................................................................................................59 Community and Voluntary Sector ...............................................................................73 Conservation ................................................................................................................79 Consumer Affairs.........................................................................................................91 Corrections...................................................................................................................97 Defence ......................................................................................................................107 Disability Issues .........................................................................................................115 Early Childhood Education........................................................................................129 Economy ....................................................................................................................135 Emergency Management ...........................................................................................155 Employment...............................................................................................................163 Employment Relations...............................................................................................177 Energy ........................................................................................................................189 Environment...............................................................................................................201 Ethnic Affairs.............................................................................................................213 Fisheries .....................................................................................................................219 Food Safety ................................................................................................................227 Foreign Affairs, Trade and Official Development Assistance...................................231 Forestry ......................................................................................................................241 Health.........................................................................................................................247 Strong Proven Leadership
Affordable Housing ...................................................................................................275 Human Rights ............................................................................................................291 Information and Communications Technology .........................................................295 Immigration................................................................................................................307 Industry Training .......................................................................................................317 Justice.........................................................................................................................325 Local Government .....................................................................................................339 Mori..........................................................................................................................349 Pacific Island Affairs .................................................................................................365 Policing ......................................................................................................................381 Labours Policy Response to the Global Downturn ..................................................391 Racing ........................................................................................................................403 Rainbow policy ..........................................................................................................407 Rural Affairs ..............................................................................................................413 Schools.......................................................................................................................425 Science and Innovation ..............................................................................................437 Senior Citizens ...........................................................................................................443 Social Development ...................................................................................................453 Sport and Recreation..................................................................................................471 State Sector ................................................................................................................481 Tertiary Education .....................................................................................................489 Tourism ......................................................................................................................501 Transport ....................................................................................................................507 Veterans Affairs........................................................................................................517 Womens Issues .........................................................................................................523 Youth Affairs .............................................................................................................533
ACC: Every Kiwi is Covered
Labours policy for Accident Compensation
2008
Strong Proven Leadership 1
Introduction
Since 1974, the Accident Compensation Corporation scheme has served New Zealand in a unique way. It is the only accident insurance system in the world providing universal, 24-hour, no-fault coverage for all physical injuries. The scheme was considered groundbreaking at its inception and remains highly regarded by experts in the field of accident compensation. A recent independent study by PricewaterhouseCoopers found that, when compared with alternative schemes, ACC offers New Zealanders broader coverage, a faster return to work, high levels of compensation, lower costs and fewer disputes. Public debate surrounding Nationals plans to privatise the ACC scheme in recent months has confirmed that while there is always room for improvement, New Zealanders value our ACC scheme. Labour is firmly committed to keeping ACC in public ownership and we will continue to improve it. ACC belongs to New Zealanders and every Kiwi is a shareholder.
ACC Everybody is Covered

When Labour was elected in 1999, we reversed the privatisation of ACC carried out in the 1990s. We did this because we believe that accident insurance is a social responsibility and that it should be guaranteed and provided by the government. Since then Labour has made a number of improvements to ensure ACC covers a wider range of injuries and to make the scheme more responsive to the needs of New Zealanders. Some recent improvements to ACC include providing income compensation to workers whose mental health suffers after they witness a traumatic event in the course of their employment. This means that, for example, a train driver who accidentally hits a car on the tracks, and goes on to develop mental health problems as a result, is covered by the ACC scheme. We have also extended ACCs cover for work-related disease and infection to ensure that people harmed in the course of their work receive greater access. Labour has also ensured injured older New Zealanders wanting to return to the workforce have better access to vocational rehabilitation and we have closed a gap for seasonal and casual workers who were disadvantaged by the way weekly compensation was calculated. Ten years ago ACC was being privatised medical experts described claimants experiences during this time as chaotic and confusing. Today ACC has been returned to a fully publicly-owned scheme and gradual improvements have been made so that cover is broader and fairer. Ten years from now ACC will continue to lead the world in accident compensation, delivering broad cover and superior care in a cost effective manner. Strong Proven Leadership 3
Retaining ACC in Public Hands - Keeping it Kiwi

The independent review by PricewaterhouseCoopers found that the ACC under its current government monopoly structure performs as well or better than most other structures worldwide; is often considered to be best practice internationally and provides broader coverage than any other scheme in the world. Unlike private insurance schemes which aim to return a profit to shareholders, ACC is government-run and owned for the benefit of all New Zealanders. The only way private insurance companies can make a profit from accident compensation is either to increase the amount we all pay, deny cover for injuries, or cut the services New Zealanders currently enjoy. Labour will continue to maintain ACC as a publicly administered and delivered social insurance scheme which focuses on injury prevention, along with fair and effective treatment and rehabilitation.
Ensuring New Zealanders pay fair and reasonable levies

ACC has an obligation under current law to ensure all its accounts are fully funded for the cost of all injuries by 2014. This target was set in 1999 and was considered achievable then. While Labour has supported this deadline, recently it has become increasingly clear that the 2014 date, together with the increased cost of claims, will place too high a burden on the public. Instead of hiking up levy payments until 2014 to meet the deadline and then dropping them, Labour believes it would make more sense to smooth out the process by extending the deadline until 2019. This will ensure that New Zealanders pay fair and reasonable levies both now and in the future. Labour will introduce an immediate law change to extend the 2014 fully funded target to 2019 for the Residual Claims accounts to reduce pressure on New Zealanders levy payments.
Extending and Improving ACC

Labour has made a number of improvements to ACC during its term in government, both to the schemes structure and the cover it offers. As noted earlier, these changes have been aimed at broadening the number and type of ailments ACC can cover, as well as making the system fairer and more user-friendly for claimants and levy payers alike. Labour now seeks a mandate to do even more. While we have made improvements to ACC by recognising work-related pain disorders with a clearly identifiable source such as Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome caused by sustained operation of a jack-hammer, there are often cases where injured people may be missing out on cover for pain disorders caused by their occupation. Labour will review ACCs coverage of work-related pain disorders. Strong Proven Leadership
In some marginal cases it can take an extended period of time to decide whether an injured applicant is entitled to cover from ACC. This can lead to long-standing grievances and has the potential to result in an applicant missing out on legitimate cover. Labour wants ACC to ensure decisions on marginal cases are taken as quickly as possible by increasing the focus on mediation and effective case management. Labour will ensure ACC reduces the time taken to make a decision about Earnings Related Compensation in marginal cases. The Accredited Employers' Scheme allows some large businesses with a proven track record in injury prevention and workplace safety to manage their own claims in exchange for reduced ACC levies. Unions and business have jointly discussed the issues they both face with the Accredited Employers' Scheme and have suggested some improvements. Labour will improve the Accredited Employers' Scheme to ensure it is fairer for injured workers in light of Council of Trade Unions and Business NZ recommendations. Physiotherapists perform a vital role in the rehabilitation of injured New Zealanders. Labour created the Endorsed Providers Network of Physiotherapists which provides New Zealanders with ACC-funded physiotherapy treatment. Issues surrounding appropriate levels of payments from ACC to physiotherapists led Labour to commission an independent review to examine how physiotherapists are funded and accredited. This review is now complete and Labour will ensure sustainable funding is provided for physiotherapy to ensure that New Zealanders can continue benefiting from free physiotherapy. Labour will complete the implementation of the non-fiscal recommendations of the Goddard Report on Physiotherapists and move towards an agreed sustainable funding model for the future.
Injury Prevention
Injury prevention is one of the fundamental aspects of our comprehensive accident compensation scheme. If we can reduce injuries, then we will not only save New Zealanders the traumatic experience of being injured and off work but save all New Zealanders money. ACC plays an integral role in the New Zealand Injury Prevention Strategy. This strategy brings together all government agencies to work to reduce the incidence of injuries. Good progress has been made with the strategy but it is time to do more. Labour will build on the success of the New Zealand Injury Prevention Strategy to ensure ACC has a leadership and coordinating role in its implementation and will work to improve further New Zealands injury prevention record.
Employers and employees are best-placed to know the dangers in their particular workplace or industry sector and therefore to prevent accidents in the workplace. ACC helps fund Health and Safety Representatives and Labour will ensure the extension of this initiative. Labour will strengthen workplace injury prevention initiatives through industry taskforces to increase the skill levels and number of trained Health and Safety Representatives (currently 20,000).
A prosperous and sustainable agriculture sector
Labours policy for Agriculture
2008
Introduction
New Zealand relies heavily on the agricultural sector. It is the backbone of our economy, responsible for more than half of this countrys total exports. Agriculture sustains New Zealands many rural communities. Our primary production sector is large enough that it possesses genuine economies of scale. It also has sufficient depth of resources to give us world class expertise along each point in the value chain - from crop research and farm management to secondary processing and export distribution. Today, New Zealands agricultural sector is more important than ever. A global food crisis, rising demand for protein and rising per capita incomes in some of our most important international markets will see increasing demand for the food New Zealand produces. The planting of arable land to grow crops for use in biofuels in countries such as the United States and Brazil is also expected to contribute to an increase in demand for New Zealand dairy, meat and horticultural products, over the longer term. To take advantage of this opportunity we need to develop a primary products sector that meets sustainability requirements across all elements of production from appropriate water use to limiting the sectors carbon footprint. This will require a sustained evolution in industry practices and Forecast agricultural contribution to GDP ongoing collaboration between the sector and the government on resource management policies.
12000 10000
Labour has demonstrated a commitment to strong investment and leadership in the sector. We want to continue this investment and assist the agricultural sector in becoming the most productive, environmentally-sustainable primary product producer in the world.
8000
$M
6000
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0 2006 2007 2008 2009 Source: MAF 2010 2011 2012
Supporting Agricultural Business Success

In 2008 Labour announced an unprecedented level of investment in new research, development, and innovation for New Zealands pastoral and food industries through the New Zealand Fast Forward Fund. The governments upfront investment of $700 million will grow to around $1 billion as it earns interest over the next ten to fifteen years. In addition, industries will be expected to match the governments commitment on an annual basis, resulting in an expected total fund of around $2 billion over the next ten to fifteen years. That equates to approximately $200m of additional research funding every year. New Zealand: Fast Forward is easily the largest single investment in research and development in New Zealands history. Strong Proven Leadership 9
Labour will support its Fast Forward investment through specific programmes designed to enhance the competitiveness of New Zealand companies in the rapidlyevolving global food business. These programmes involve strengthening partnerships between government agencies, non-government and educational organisations and industry to enhance productivity throughout the agriculture supply chain. There are a number of elements to this programme. Labour will continue and expand commercialisation infrastructure to pilot new products and enhance the sectors product development capability. We are particularly interested in improving innovation cycles in collaboration with key educational and development institutions including Massy University, the Waikato Innovation Park, Canterbury Development Corp and Lincoln University. The Food Innovation Network, already under way, is an example of this in the food and pastoral industries. Labour will promote cross-sectoral co-operation initiatives focused on issues that impact on the primary sector. This includes development of an audit and mentoring programme sector-wide that is similar to the Better by Design programme, equipping small to medium enterprises (SMEs) in the sector to develop Forecast agriculture revenue 2006-2012 export capability. For example, we want to see consistent exportoriented messaging and branding on the environmental sustainability of New Zealands primary sector, coinvestment in traceability technologies and strategies to protect New Zealands biodiversity.
Forecast agricultural revenue 2006 2012
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Dairy Cattle Sheep meat Sheep meat
We want to drive ongoing productivity improvements in the rural economy through greater collaboration by sector stakeholders to solve structural problems and capture emerging opportunities.
1000 0 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Source: MAF
2012
These initiatives will help overcome challenges presented by the small size of our firms, the cost of overcoming our distance from overseas markets and the cost of establishing a new branded product in international markets (particularly products higher up the value chain). Labour will continue and expand assistance for exporters.
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Labour will support industry participation in trade shows and the Shanghai Focus Centre, and enhancement of the aquaculture strategy. We will work to reduce costs for exporters, including reducing compliance costs through the Quality Regulation Review. We will increase funding for the Market Development Assistance Scheme and seek to accelerate income tax deductions on expenditure incurred during market development (including research and development). Labour will develop a roadmap for food research that better links food research and real market needs. 'Roadmaps for Science' are a series of documents designed to guide New Zealands science and research activity. They are a type of strategy, providing broad context and high level directions on a particular area of science from a New Zealand perspective. A roadmap for food research will be an important step in aligning government, industry, education and research efforts to boost the sustainability and efficiency of our primary sector. It will help us identify areas of competitive and comparative advantage and areas where we can focus our efforts. Labour will also continue developing a workforce with the appropriate skills for the agricultural sector. This involves building on the work of the joint industry/government body the Skills and Training Action Group to actively support the sectors Industry Training Organisations. We will build on the review of tertiary training for land-based industries, begun in March 2008. Labour will continue to push for the removal of tariffs on agricultural products amongst New Zealands major trading partners. Through multilateral and bi-lateral forums and channels we will work to reduce trade barriers for our agricultural exporters. We will also work with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to combat potentially negative food miles claims for primary exports by highlighting total carbon costs of products (typically lower for NZ products) rather than just the transportation costs. Labour will continue to help sub-sectors push through structural reforms. Labour will work with industry to investigate the meat and wool sectors and to audit current structures with a view to promoting world-leading processes in production, processing and marketing. Collaborative initiatives (like Fonterra in the dairy industry) are crucial to ensuring New Zealand competes more effectively in tomorrows global markets, and is best positioned to capture the growing but changing demand for food products in developed and developing markets around the world.
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Leading in Environmental Sustainability

Our aim is to develop a comprehensive strategy for dealing with carbon emissions, including investment in the development of methane inhibitors (methane is a greenhouse gas produced by farm animals) and less energy-intensive farming practices. Over the last decade Labour has invested heavily in the sustainability of the agriculture sector. The Sustainable Farming Fund was set up in 2005 to support projects that provide ongoing economic, environmental, and social benefits for the countrys primary producers. Labour established the Sustainable Land Management (Hill Country Erosion) Fund to help hill country farmers deal with erosion-prone land and to implement sustainable management practices. In 2007, the Fund supported 63 products as diverse as developing sustainable integrated pest management systems in arable crops to improved pest management in North Canterburys vegetable brassica crops. Last year Labour announced $8 million of new investment in research to help reduce the rural sectors carbon footprint through innovations that raise, rather than lower, farm productivity. Over the four years of funding, initiatives will focus on developing farm monitoring and information systems, together with developments in research and technology. A primary sector proactively seeking to address its carbon footprint with the active support of government will be a huge benefit to New Zealand, both economically and environmentally. Primary sector exporters will benefit from a world-leading reputation in sustainable agriculture production. New Zealand households, together with the forestry, energy and manufacturing sectors, will benefit from a reduction in the carbon emission burden they face and rural communities will benefit economically from increased productivity of new farming practices and technologies. Research already carried out in New Zealand suggests some simple changes in management practices can reduce agricultural and forestry greenhouse gas emissions to the level required under our international climate change commitments while at the same time enhancing on-farm productivity. Some farmers are already making progress in this area. Labour will work with farmers to implement changes to reduce agricultures contribution to New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions, in particular through the $700 million New Zealand: Fast Forward Fund, which was set up to help our food and pastoral industries become smart, sustainable, high-value suppliers of goods and services to world markets.
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Labour will support world leading research into new agricultural solutions, in particular through New Zealand: Fast Forward. One of the areas in which New Zealand: Fast Forward programmes will run is basic environmental research into the pastoral sector to reduce the environmental effects of climate change gases including improvements in water quality and reduced chemical use. Research is likely to be carried out through groups such as the Pastoral Greenhouse Gas Research Consortium and the Livestock Emissions Abatement Research Network (LEARN) which was established in collaboration with international partners. Labour will ensure emissions reduction programmes are part of a broader carbon footprint strategy. Emissions reduction programmes will be part of a broader carbon footprint strategy that not only balances environmental and economic realities but looks at ways we can turn a potential burden on the economy into an export opportunity. Bringing agriculture into the Emissions Trading Scheme retains the integrity of the scheme. However, because of the complexities of reducing agricultural emissions, its entry will not occur until 2013. Labour will encourage research on, and experimentation with, a range of alternative technologies and farming practices, including low intensity farming. As farming systems intensify, greater amounts of nutrients are used which in turn can mean higher amounts of pollution in the environment. Growth in agricultural production is vital to New Zealands future economic prosperity, but not at any cost. We are already strongly engaged in working with the industry to investigate and apply measures which can significantly reduce nitrous oxide emissions from the agricultural sector over the next five years. Labour will explore ways to streamline research efforts to ensure the highest return from capital invested in this area. Labour will work in partnership with the private sector to develop ways of distributing information to those involved in agricultural industries. We will build positive momentum behind innovative solutions to the problem of greenhouse gas emissions generated by the primary sector. We will take a lead on this critical issue in a way that is good for both agriculture and the environment.
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Uniquely New Zealand
Labours policy for Arts, Culture & Heritage
2008
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Introduction
Labour believes arts, culture and heritage play an essential role in defining our nations unique identity. We value the energy, enterprise and confidence which result from cultural and creative expression. Support for our arts and cultural sector includes ensuring that there is adequate funding and support for our cultural institutions so that the sector can continue to develop. It means supporting initiatives which support artists and cultural practitioners making a living from careers in the arts. It means investing in opportunities for Kiwi artists from all communities to tell our nations stories. It also means working to protect the intellectual property rights of our artists in the digital age. New Zealand increasingly has an international reputation for being creative and innovative. Our creative industries make a strong contribution to the growth of our economy, offering exciting employment for New Zealanders and developing hightech creative capability which attracts world-wide attention. Achieving growth in our cultural sector is assisted by broadening the audience for its output, both at home and abroad. In the digital age there are new opportunities to reach ever wider audiences, and to provide greater access to our cultural and heritage experiences. We are committed to investment in a wide range of initiatives which encourage cultural growth, innovation and opportunity. The development of the regional arts, cultural and heritage infrastructure is important. Strong artistic, cultural and heritage communities foster both local economic growth and identity. Support for regional communities to create inspiring arts, culture and heritage experiences enables New Zealanders, and overseas visitors, to enjoy the wealth of cultural expression we have throughout our country. Young people have a vital role in the development of our cultural sector, not just for their own wellbeing and sense of identity but because they are the emerging artists and cultural practitioners of tomorrow. We support the development of clear pathways into careers in the sector. Our unique natural, social, and built heritage helps us understand the forces which have shaped us as a nation. We are committed to its protection. Labour supports ongoing research, documentation, and presentation of our heritage using the expertise we have and taking advantage of developments in technology.
Supporting the Creative Sector

A decade ago our cultural agencies were systemically under-funded, to the extent of only just surviving financially. Creative New Zealand, our nations agency for arts Strong Proven Leadership 17
and cultural development, desperately needed a significant boost in funding to enable it to provide secure funding and development opportunities for the arts, including Mori and Pacific arts. Labour has shown its commitment to supporting the creative sector, with sustained investment to enable our arts and cultural organisations to thrive. We have increased funding for arts, culture and heritage, including broadcasting, from $97 million in 1999 to $286 million in 2008. We have invested in Creative New Zealand, the governments arts funding agency, and directly in the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra; the Royal New Zealand Ballet; Te Matatini, the national kapa haka organisation; Te Papa; the New Zealand Film Commission; New Zealand Film Archive; and in other organisations across the arts and Galleries, Libraries, Archives and Museums (GLAM) sector. Ten years ago our arts and cultural sector was neglected and many of our key national institutions were in a fragile financial position, some on the verge of collapse. Today significant injections of funding have put the cultural sector on a strong footing and aided a renaissance of New Zealands arts, culture and heritage. Ten years from now continued growth and innovation in our creative industries will mean Kiwi arts and culture are recognised internationally for their excellence, contributing to our national identity, economic growth and New Zealands attractiveness as a premier destination for cultural tourism. Our strong support for the screen industry over the last nine years has contributed to the success of New Zealand film. Our screen industry now has a turnover of more than $NZ2.54 billion each year. The Film Commissions funding has been significantly boosted in that time to support the efforts of Kiwi filmmakers. This increased funding has brought us some of New Zealands most successful films in recent years, such as Whale Rider, The Worlds Fastest Indian and River Queen. These films and many others have contributed to our sense of national identity and been a major success in sharing our stories with the world. Labour has promoted initiatives to support writers and widen the readership of New Zealand literature, both here and overseas. We have worked to increase New Zealand book exports overseas and supported the development of New Zealand Book Month. Labour believes our cultural sector and creative industries have an important role to play in contributing to New Zealands economic growth and enriching our communities. Labour will continue to increase the level of funding and support for arts, culture and heritage. We will continue to prioritise the arts, culture and heritage sectors because of their contribution to defining New Zealands unique identity. Strong Proven Leadership 18
Labour will continue to provide Prime Ministerial leadership to the arts, culture and heritage portfolio to promote its central role in building our national identity. We believe the arts, culture and heritage are central to defining who and what we are as a nation, and deserve promotion at the highest level. We will continue to support cultural awards, such as the annual Prime Ministers award for literary achievement which acknowledges the accomplishments of our leading literary figures and promotes artistic excellence.
Protecting artists rights

Labour will continue to focus on measures which will lift the incomes of artists and those who work in the cultural sector. Labour believes it is essential that our artists and creative people are able to make a living and build exciting careers from their work. We have recently increased funding for the annual royalty payment that New Zealand authors get to compensate them for use of their books in public libraries and included this initiative in legislation. The new Public Lending Right for New Zealand Authors Act has been passed by Parliament. With cultural trends and technology changing fast, our laws need to keep pace. Our artists stand to lose significant revenue where their work is exploited and copied. With pirating and counterfeiting rife internationally, Labour has focused on ensuring that the creative rights of our artists are adequately protected across all art forms. We will consult across the creative and communication sectors to develop and implement intellectual property policies that encourage innovation and rewards for creativity, recognising that intellectual property laws will need to evolve into the future with changes in digital technology. We have regularly reviewed and updated the legislation covering arts, culture and heritage agencies and sectors, including intellectual property laws. We have developed stricter measures against those who attempt to profit from pirated and counterfeit works. Labour has recognised the need to explore how creative rights for traditional knowledge, including Mori, Pacific and other cultural designs, images, songs and dances, can be protected where these cultural taonga are not owned individually, yet are increasingly subject to commercial exploitation in New Zealand and overseas. We have initiated work to protect and promote respect for traditional knowledge in New Zealand, across the Pacific and beyond. The visual arts are another area where we will legislate to support artists to get a fair financial return from their work.
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Labour will implement a resale royalty right for visual artists. We will ensure that a resale royalty right is established for New Zealand artists to give them the same rights as artists in other countries to receive a commission on the resale of their work. Our legislation to establish this scheme is currently before Parliament.
Opportunities for New Zealand in the Film Sector

We know that competition between countries to attract film productions is intense. A grant scheme was introduced in 2003 to attract big-budget film and television production to New Zealand, which ensured that blockbuster movies like The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and King Kong were made in New Zealand, bringing with them significant positive flow-on effects for our country. We have also ensured that we make New Zealand a more attractive place for New Zealand films to be made. This year we established a Screen Production Incentive Fund to support increased production of medium and larger-scale movies with significant New Zealand cultural content. $53.8 million is available for this over four years, of which $27.8 million is entirely new funding. The New Zealand Screen Production Incentive Fund (SPIF) will provide a government grant of 40 percent of qualifying New Zealand production expenditure for eligible New Zealand feature films, and 20 percent of qualifying New Zealand production expenditure for eligible television and other screen production expenditure. More New Zealand films will be made as a result of this new initiative. Labour will continue to support the development of the New Zealand film industry to ensure that: our own stories are told, supported by the Screen Production Incentive Fund and other programmes of the New Zealand Film Commission, New Zealand on Air, Te Mngai Pho and Creative New Zealand New Zealand is promoted as a premier location for international film production, and links between film and tourism opportunities are fostered.
The New Zealand film industrys achievements highlight talent and opportunities for growth in areas of specialist technical ability, post-production and digital animation. For example, a number of high tech Kiwi companies were established to develop digital and software solutions for the Lord of the Rings movies. Labour recognises that investment in industry training and skills development is vital to ensure the success of New Zealand film into the future. Strong Proven Leadership 20
Supporting New Zealand Music

Labour believes there are clear cultural and economic gains from a strong domestic music industry. Our commitment to significant investment in the New Zealand music industry has brought steady growth. In 2001, only 6 percent of monthly album sales were by New Zealand musicians. But through initiatives like the highly successful New Zealand Music Month and support for the New Zealand Music Commission, our home-grown artists now make up around 20 percent of album sales. Support for implementation of a voluntary quota of New Zealand music on radio has also meant radio play of New Zealand content has risen by a similar amount and now averages at about 20 percent of airplay. Under Labour, a major focus has been supporting our musicians to expand into overseas markets. The international market development programme undertaken through the New Zealand Music Commission has been successful in getting kiwi music repertoire and artists into global markets. Labour will continue to support the successful Outward Sound programme to assist New Zealand artists to become export-ready so we: Increase earnings from overseas music markets Foster the growth of the domestic music industry, and
Promote New Zealands reputation internationally as a home of innovative talent. With music formats increasingly shifting to digital media, Labour will support our musicians to access digital markets and maximise the opportunities provided by new technology. Labour will support the development and export of digital initiatives, in recognition of changing international markets.
Encouraging Growth, Innovation and Opportunity

Labour believes that achieving growth in our cultural sector involves growing appreciative audiences, both here and overseas. We strongly value the arts for the contribution they make to New Zealands national and social identity. also the opportunities to expand our audience both through tourism and through offshore marketing. Labour will continue to work with arts, culture, and heritage agencies as well as with NZ artists and NZ businesses at all levels to ensure that the sector continues to flourish.
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We will work with leaders in the creative sectors to ensure that a strategic approach is taken to their development, barriers to development are addressed, and the potential benefits to the economy are realised. We see strong opportunities for leveraging growth for our cultural sector from significant events, such as the Rugby World Cup 2011. Labour will work to ensure that the 2011 Rugby World Cup is a worldclass event that is uniquely New Zealand. We will create a festival around it which involves and engages the entire country and showcases New Zealand to the rest of the world. An international cultural diplomacy programme has been established to build a New Zealand cultural presence in key regions overseas and to foster increased economic, trade, tourism, diplomatic, and cultural interests with these countries. As part of this interagency programme, a statue of a New Zealand soldier was dedicated on the ANZAC bridge in Sydney this year to honour the long-standing and close relationship between Australia and New Zealand. Labour will work with the creative, cultural, and tourism sectors and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise to expand export opportunities for music, the screen production industries and the visual arts, and continue to support cultural diplomacy initiatives to raise New Zealands profile internationally. Government and its agencies can partner with cultural practitioners and artists to promote innovative business models which exploit the full range of funding possibilities and the opportunities advances in technology bring. This will assist them both to reach new audiences and to provide broader access to cultural and heritage experiences. The NZlive.com website (www.nzlive.com) was launched in 2006, and is an important one-stop hub of cultural information about New Zealand, featuring a guide which links people to hundreds of events. Its aim is to make sure that we New Zealanders and our visitors know what is going on in areas so we can support our artists and enjoy the huge range of opportunities to participate in our cultural sphere. NZLive.com also features a funding guide to enable individuals, cultural and heritage groups, societies, and institutions to have easy access to information about funding for their work. Labour will continue to develop NZLive.com with a focus on increasing links for tourism and community funding opportunities. We will build on the success of NZLive.com, developing its capacity to deliver up-todate cultural information tailored to domestic and international tourism. We will also continue to expand its potential to better connect our artists and cultural organisations with the full range of available funding sources.
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Labour will investigate the potential for government to develop an online platform to assist and promote charitable giving towards arts, culture and heritage activities and organisations. We are aware that many cultural organisations rely on strong support from corporate sponsorship and philanthropy. Labour has supported this through removing the cap on tax rebates for gifts to registered charitable organisations. We will now explore what more can be done to promote the benefits of cultural sponsorship across arts and heritage through online technology.
Valuing the Contribution of All Our Creative People

Labour has been a strong supporter of Mori and Pacific traditional and contemporary art. We believe Mori arts, culture and heritage make a vital contribution to our national identity. Mori creativity and heritage help in defining us to the world as a unique nation with our own distinctive images, perspectives, culture and heritage. On screen or on stage, both here and abroad, Mori culture and Mori artists capture the attention of the world. We know that Mori culture is a key part of being a New Zealander and that by supporting our performers and artists both domestically and internationally, New Zealands culture and arts can be showcased globally. Labour will continue to support Mori artists including through the high quality Toi Iho branding and will work to develop further opportunities for young artists to promote their talent and product through New Zealand Trade and Enterprise. On a local level, Labour remains committed to supporting and nurturing Mori culture. Labour will provide continued support for Mori performing arts through Te Matatini and consider further opportunities to support national competitions in schools to actively uphold the cultural expression of Mori. We are committed to promoting the richness and diversity of our Pacific cultures through the arts. We will also promote career pathways available in the creative sector, and support our Pacific peoples in their artistic and economic development. Labour supports continued investment in the arts within Pacific communities, and will promote the career pathways available in the creative sector.
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We believe artistic and cultural participation from all ethnic communities in New Zealand is a vital component of building our national identity, and will take further steps to increase support for artists from diverse cultural traditions. Labour will provide funding to enable a focus on increasing the contribution from New Zealands diverse ethnic communities. Labour values the contribution, and has encouraged the participation, of artists with disabilities through funding for organisations such as Arts Access Aotearoa and support for a number of outsider art programmes. We have also committed to hosting Momentum 09, an international disability arts symposium to raise greater understanding of, and profile for, the artistic talents of people with disabilities. We believe it is important to promote pathways for people with disabilities to assist in developing their creative talents and cultural enterprise. Labour will work across Creative NZ, local community services, Ministry of Social Development and local government bodies to develop further opportunities for people with disabilities to develop creative initiatives.
Regional and Community Arts and Culture

Supporting innovative local communities and sustainable arts infrastructure in our regional centres is important in promoting local identity and economic growth. Nine years ago it was clear that a significant boost to funding was needed to enable regional museums and galleries to update and expand their facilities. The Regional Museums Fund we established has supported major redevelopments across the country. These redevelopments can be seen at the Auckland War Memorial Museum, Te Puke Ariki in New Plymouth, Eastern Southland Gallery in Gore, Aratoi in Masterton, the New Zealand Film Archive, Nelson Provincial Museum, the Dowse Art Museum in Lower Hutt, the Auckland Art Gallery, the Otago Settlers Museum and Rotorua Museum. Labour will continue its highly successful policy of providing funding for construction and refurbishment of regional museums and galleries with collections of national significance. We believe it is the role of central government to promote a partnership approach with local authorities to support the cultural wellbeing of local communities.
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Labour will support increased funding for the Creative Communities Scheme administered by Creative New Zealand in partnership with local and regional councils, and increase funding for local festivals. The Aotearoa Peoples Network, a programme of providing free access to broadband internet services in public libraries, has been a significant development which offers potential for regional cultural and heritage development. The access portal is designed with the intention that all New Zealanders can benefit from creating, accessing and experiencing digital content, and to support local communities to add their own cultural and local heritage content. Labour will continue to support the roll-out of the Aotearoa Peoples Network throughout New Zealand, especially to small and rural communities. Labour will work to promote growth in culture and heritage regionally and provide sustainable funding to regional cultural organisations.
Education, Industry Training and Research

It is essential for the development of our cultural sector, and for our young peoples wellbeing, that young New Zealanders talents are fostered and they are inspired by the contribution the arts make to New Zealands national identity and economy. Labour has continued to develop and resource the arts, music and creative curriculum in New Zealand schools so that young people have the opportunity to participate in the arts and establish creative skills at an early stage. The Artists in Schools Programme was implemented in 2007 to give Kiwi primary and secondary school students the opportunity to learn from professional New Zealand artists in the fields of dance, drama, music, and visual arts. The cultural sector continues to be a strong area of employment for New Zealanders. The Pathways to Arts and Cultural Employment (PACE) scheme has assisted job seekers to develop careers in the arts and creative industries. By the end of June 2008, this programme had seen a total of 3,457 clients placed in employment. We believe it is important to ensure the long-term sustainability of the cultural sector through investment in tertiary education and professional development for artists, and a strategic focus on areas of anticipated future growth. Labour will boost the skills capacity of the Kiwi creative sector the first step will be to conduct a thorough survey of the technical and Strong Proven Leadership 25
operational skills we have to identify areas in which we need to foster new talent. We believe it is important that films, television programmes and music that have been funded by public organisations are freely available to New Zealanders for the purpose of study or historical research. We have reviewed accessibility of this archived material and begun a programme to streamline the way audiovisual content is archived. Labour will ensure that publicly-funded films, television programmes and music can be accessed by other New Zealanders for the purpose of study and research, and further develop mechanisms for archiving audiovisual programmes. Labour is committed to looking ahead and planning for a vibrant cultural sector for the future. We will increase the range of educational, skills development and research opportunities to ensure arts, culture and heritage is accessible to the next generation of creative Kiwis.
Honouring our Unique History and Heritage

Labour believes that knowing and understanding our past and conserving our historic heritage is a critical part of establishing a strong sense of national identity. It is important we tell the stories of our nations history, and that places of significance are preserved for future generations. We have given strong support for the work of the New Zealand Historic Places Trust over the past nine years. Labour has provided more funding to enable the trust to maintain and promote its properties and to work better with local councils and private owners to preserve heritage areas. A national heritage preservation incentive fund was set up to encourage the preservation of privately-owned and nationally-significant heritage properties that would otherwise be in danger of neglect or demolition. Special objects and taonga also play an important role in our heritage, so we have protected these items by updating the antiquities legislation. We have recognised that investment in protection of our historic heritage also has important economic spin-offs. Iconic sites support heritage tourism, bringing visitors to regions throughout New Zealand and encouraging them to stay and explore our unique history. It has been important to support the Historic Places Trust to link sites to create heritage trails.
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A significant step forward over the last 10 years has been getting some of our top heritage locations on-track towards receiving international recognition as world heritage sites. We have developed an initial list of New Zealand sites for consideration by international authorities. Big restoration projects have been completed, such as the construction of the Kerikeri Heritage Bypass designed to protect the historic Kemp House and the Stone Store from flooding and from vibrations caused by heavy traffic flows. We will continue to support the New Zealand Historic Places Trust in its essential work on behalf of all New Zealanders. Labour will work with local government, heritage organisations and across central government to develop a National Policy Statement on Heritage under the Resource Management Act. In recent years there has been an encouraging resurgence of interest in our nations history, including the personal histories of individuals. There is a growing demand by New Zealanders young and old to express their national identity on occasions like Anzac Day and Waitangi Day. There is increasing interest in New Zealands involvement in the conflicts of the twentieth century, and a recognition that significant aspects of our heritage and identity depend on the sacrifice made by others during times of war. We have commemorated the special relationship between the United Kingdom and New Zealand with the establishment of a memorial in Hyde Park, London, and dedicated a New Zealand memorial in the United Nations War Cemetery in Pusan, Korea recognising the service of 6,000 New Zealanders who fought in the Korean War. The New Zealand Memorial in Canberra and the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior in Wellington have also been major heritage projects. The 2008 tribute to Viet Nam Veterans was a significant acknowledgement of those who lost their lives in Viet Nam and an opportunity show our appreciation to those who served. As a focus for Kiwi families remembrance of the sacrifice made by former generations of New Zealand servicemen and women, preparations have begun for a New Zealand Memorial Park adjacent to the National War Memorial in Buckle St, Wellington. Labour will complete the New Zealand Memorial Park project. Over the last decade, growth in technology has offered us much greater opportunities to record, preserve and protect our records and heritage material. We have been committed to embracing these new technologies to create opportunities for Kiwi families and young people to better access our unique history. We have developed Strong Proven Leadership 27
significant online projects such as the award-winning digital encyclopaedia of New Zealand, www.teara.govt.nz . The challenge for the next decade is to harness the opportunities offered by digitisation to make our heritage available and accessible to more New Zealand families, and to ensure the technology we use is compatible with future developments. Labour will increase funding to speed up critical digitisation of heritage collections across New Zealand so existing collections are available online as quickly as possible. We see exciting opportunities for New Zealand families to learn about their own history and whakapapa and develop a rich appreciation of the contribution their families and communities have made to this country. Labour will explore how to give New Zealand families better access to the wealth of cultural and heritage material relating to them that is held by public institutions, so that New Zealanders young and old can learn about the stories of their past. We will build the National Library up to be a virtual and actual hub where all New Zealanders have good access to New Zealands documentary heritage, and can use that information across their work, leisure and community lives. We have seen the importance of recording New Zealands oral histories so that the rich history of our stories can be preserved for future generations. A large-scale programme of recording oral history has been established and content made available online to all New Zealanders through the oral history website 'From Memory' on www.NZhistory.net.nz. Labour will continue the extensive work programme within the Ministry for Culture and Heritage on New Zealand history projects, with a focus on further collection of oral histories, particularly from more isolated regions. We are aware that we need to ensure that consistent archive systems are in place for archiving our historical material, both nationally and internationally. It is important, too, that these are systems all communities can access and contribute to. Labour will continue to support Archives NZ, the NZ Film Archive, as well as public and private galleries, libraries, archive organisations and museums to work collaboratively to develop a smart and consistent approach to archiving cultural materials nationally and in the community. Labour will ensure our New Zealand heritage is protected and cherished for the benefit of all New Zealanders. Strong Proven Leadership 28
Protecting our Economy and our Heritage
Labours policy for Biosecurity 2008
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30
Introduction
Effective biosecurity is vital for New Zealand. Our primary producers are crucial to our economic wellbeing, and their ability to compete in global markets depends on biosecurity assurance. Our livelihoods depend on keeping pests and diseases out to protect our native flora and fauna and to provide assurance for trade. As an island nation rich in biodiversity we recognize ourselves partly by this unique environment, and pests threaten that. We have a responsibility to protect our abundant unique species and habitats. We need a vigilant biosecurity system to protect our country from environmental and economic damage from pest invaders, and from severe health threats like avian influenza. We should plan for the future challenges that increased trade and climate change will bring. We will not be able to stop every threat from entering New Zealand, but when they do, we must be prepared to manage them as effectively as possible. Labour believes that local communities have a big part to play in responding to such threats. We will improve communication and consultation with affected local communities to maximise our total response, and ensure we get new threats under active management and control as soon as possible.
Prevention the Best Cure

Over the past decade, as trade and passenger volumes have increased, the size of our border security capacity has doubled and New Zealand now has one of the most effective biosecurity systems in the world. Scientific and operational systems have been changed so that threats are more effectively investigated, as are ways to eradicate or manage them. In 2004, Biosecurity New Zealand was set up to coordinate the agencies that manage and protect our country against biological threats to our environment and our economy. We now have a comprehensive biosecurity strategy that applies to all of New Zealands environments (land, freshwater and marine), and to both indigenous and introduced but valuable - flora and fauna. But there is more we can do. Rising volumes of trade and international passenger arrivals, coupled with some of the toughest biosecurity standards in the world, all present serious challenges for our border protection services. Labour will maintain our border inspection capability to respond to the substantial increases in international passenger and trade volumes. We have recently invested in frontline biosecurity, focusing on the areas of quarantine services and the preparation of border-related standards such as Import Health Standards, yet many of these services are still to be fully rolled out.
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These will include improving border enforcement operations and improving the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestrys (MAF) ability to identify and target high and emerging risks. It will also include implementing a social marketing programme aimed at increased public compliance with border clearance requirements.
Planning for New and Emerging Biosecurity Threats

While we now have a border security system that is among the best in the world, no border control system can ever be 100 percent effective. Levels of international trade are set to increase bringing new threats and sources of disease or pests. The challenge of climate change and associated ecological changes also bring the potential for new pests and diseases. We must plan for the future. Labour will ensure analysis of the economic, biological and physical environment focuses on predicting and identifying new and emerging threats both from within New Zealand and from international sources. This will require analysis of trade patterns, the way products transported into New Zealand and items brought in with travellers. Predictive research into ecological change as a result of climate change and land use change will be used to develop comprehensive plans for future actions. Risks include human pandemics from disease, severe animal risks such as Foot and Mouth Disease and agricultural pests. Labour will continue to improve systems for dealing with severe biological threats such as an avian influenza pandemic. This will include planning to combat identified biological threats, a focus on prevention and elimination and management of threats. A zero risk border is not possible, even if all travel and trade came to a stop. For example, organisms can still be introduced by migratory wild species. Labour will develop additional expertise in marine traffic and identification of water-borne pests and organisms.
Partnership with the Community

Over the past decade, New Zealand has faced some serious biosecurity challenges. Both government and the community have worked in partnership to respond. For instance, when a red ant invasion hit Napier in 2006, Biosecurity New Zealand worked closely with the local community in Whirinaki where the ants were found. This led to their successful eradication from the port of Napier. Through vigilant border biosecurity systems, the ants were also identified and eradicated at Aucklands port. Strong Proven Leadership 32
However, large-scale biosecurity management particularly aerial spraying - is often met with criticism if there is public uncertainty about the need for action and safety concerns. Public safety is dependent on public co-operation, which can only happen with a well-informed community. Closer communication and consultation with local communities is essential. Ensuring local community support is also important because communities have such a vital role to play in helping to get rid of threats. Labour will continue to swiftly respond to biosecurity threats while ensuring that local communities are more closely consulted and informed. Balancing the demands of swift and effective response times with local community consultation is challenging, but if our biosecurity responses are to reach their full potential, community buy-in of biosecurity responses is critical. Labour will develop systems for representative Community Advisory Groups to ensure clear communications with the public and provide a means for getting feedback from public sector agencies on issues of concern.
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A strong, diverse broadcasting environment
Labours policy for Broadcasting
2008
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Introduction
Labour believes broadcasting plays an important role in defining our cultural and national identity. It can reflect what it means to be a New Zealander and help depict our place in the world by ensuring New Zealanders have access to great local content as well as the best from overseas.
Television Broadcasting
The medium of television reaches almost every New Zealanders home. What we see on television can affect how we relate to others and how we see ourselves. Media proliferation, especially through newer methods of delivery (pay-TV, internet, mobile phones), and subsequent audience fragmentation are offering serious challenges to traditional business structures and audience share of television broadcasting. Labour is committed to ensuring that New Zealand has strong television broadcasters that provide popular and entertaining programming as well as programming that is informative and educational. We will also ensure that New Zealanders have access to a wide range of local content across genres that include programmes of popular appeal as well as programmes aimed at groups that are less well served by fully commercial interests. We believe that New Zealand's Pacific communities should be able to hear and see their own voices, stories, music, and languages on television. Labour will prioritise the establishment of a free-to-air Pacific channel. The development of a Pacific channel will require more Pacific programmes and therefore support increased career opportunities for Pacific peoples in the television industry. Labour will promote Pacific broadcasting and encourage Pacific peoples to be involved in the production of Pacific programmes. Labour will ensure that broadcasting choices available to New Zealanders are enhanced with current changes to the broadcasting environment. Labour will complete the review of digital broadcasting regulation. We believe New Zealanders deserve to have access to the best technology and the best content from both here and around the world. Labour will encourage uptake of digital television and plan for analogue switch-off.
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Benefits of the move to digital include cost savings because less energy is required for digital transmission. Viewers will get better reception, an electronic programme guide and more content to choose from. We will announce a firm date for analogue switchoff once take-up of digital television reaches 75 percent or in 2012, whichever comes first. Labour will increase the total hours of local content on free-to-air television. Labour will ensure that great New Zealand content remains accessible to New Zealanders through new channels and technologies. Labour will ensure the availability of New Zealand television across multiple platforms. We want New Zealanders to be able to see and hear stories that are for them and about them, through any medium they choose. Labour will ensure programming for diverse interest groups is available on free-to-air television. We believe that all aspects of our diverse society should be reflected on our television screens and that all groups should be able to share their stories. Labour will ensure a strong, skilled independent television production sector with increased export of New Zealand television programmes. Our commitment to the screen production sector will ensure that New Zealand productions remain celebrated both here and around the world. Ten years ago TVNZ was fully commercial and being prepared for sale, there were only 6,296 total hours of local content on television, there was no funding available for regional television or the Maori Television Service and there was no plan for digital television or emerging technologies. Today TVNZ is operating with a legislated public broadcasting mandate, there were 10,784 hours of local content in 2007, regional television services have access to programme funding, digital television has been introduced and uptake is exceeding expectations. Two Maori television channels, two free-to-air, advertisement-free digital TVNZ channels are available, and plans are underway to review broadcasting regulation to ensure New Zealanders have the support needed from government to enjoy the best of emerging technologies. Ten years from now Local content that entertains, informs and educates will be widely available to New Zealanders on television, as well as through new technologies. Our broadcasting sector will continue to strongly reflect the lives and experiences of New Zealanders nationally and locally and across a wide range of interest groups and communities. Strong Proven Leadership 38
Radio Broadcasting
The radio broadcasting sector in New Zealand is one of the most successful and competitive in the world. The mix of commercial and non-commercial radio broadcasting provides a wide range of choices for New Zealanders. But changing technology is providing both challenges and opportunities for the radio industry. Labour is committed to ensuring that diversity in our radio broadcasting continues to provide New Zealanders with programming across interest groups and across technologies. We also intend to ensure that New Zealand music remains celebrated though strong representation on commercial radio. Labour will continue assessment and support of digital radio initiatives and ensure the availability of New Zealand radio across multiple platforms. We want New Zealanders both here and overseas to be able to see and hear stories that are for them and about them through any medium they choose to use. Labour will sustain the levels of New Zealand music on commercial radio stations at 20 percent. We believe that New Zealand music should be celebrated and fostered. Our unique sounds and cultural expression should be encouraged and shared. Labour will ensure the availability of diverse programming on radio through both national and local radio broadcasters. New Zealand geographical communities and interest groups should all have a voice on our radio stations through the diverse mix of private radio, publicly-owned radio and local and access radio stations. Ten years ago New Zealand music airplay was at 7.5 percent, Radio New Zealand was under-funded and largely available only on the AM frequency. Today New Zealand music airplay is between 19 percent and 20 percent, Radio New Zealand is available on AM and FM as well as streaming online and by podcast. Access radio has more funding available as well as funding for specific projects. National Pacific Radio Trust is broadcasting programmes by and for Pacific peoples throughout New Zealand. Ten years from now New Zealand radio will be available in digital form to New Zealanders around the world on any technology they choose. This will include radio by and for the diverse range of ethnicities and interest groups that make up New Zealand society.
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Safe, Healthy and Affordable
Labours policy for Building and Construction
2008
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Labour wants to ensure that New Zealanders have access to safe, comfortable and healthy homes and buildings that reflect our natural environment. Young families and couples getting into their first homes need to be secure in the knowledge their home is built by qualified professionals. Construction standards for houses and buildings are fundamental to the health and safety of the community. They protect public safety and the investment New Zealanders have made in their home. Standards have changed significantly during this decade to protect home owners from the lax regime put in place in the 1990s and to assist those who have been affected by leaky homes. There was immediate action to make sure the leaky buildings problem was not allowed to continue. Much of this work was done by setting benchmark standards across the building and construction sector and through local government. A Weathertight Homes Resolution Service was put in place to assist leaky homes victims to seek redress and help resolve disputes. Since then there have been further refinements of the rules and efforts have been made to create more flexibility in the Building Act while at the same time protecting owners of homes and buildings. 10 years ago... deregulation of the industry resulted in catastrophic failures across the building sector, leading directly to the leaky buildings problem. Today stronger standards are in place to protect the interests of home owners and prevent something like the leaky buildings crisis from happening again. 10 years from now streamlined regulation and strong self-policing will mean lower construction costs while keeping homes and buildings safe, healthy and comfortable. The building and construction industry is healthier and stronger now than it was at the beginning of the decade. The industry is better off with Labour because we are headed in the right direction with a common-sense approach to regulations. But there is more to do. Labour will put in place further changes to building and construction standards to obtain good, safe buildings at reasonable cost. Labour will simplify the Building Code requirements for the design and construction of all buildings while protecting health, safety and investment. Simplifying the rules for simple building work makes it easier for DIY-builders to continue a Kiwi tradition without unnecessary red tape. We are also looking at ways to streamline approvals for starter homes that meet the needs of families trying to get into home ownership for the first time. We have already commissioned designs and an architectural competition. Substantial savings for starter homes have already been identified. Strong Proven Leadership 43
Labour will work on developing and extending the successful starter homes portfolio of designs. These changes will assist in making home ownership more affordable by accelerating the approval process, thereby reducing costs. We intend to consult closely to ensure these changes work as effectively as possible. We will work with competent, experienced practitioners involved in building design and construction, and with those involved in administering building and construction standards both within the industry and in territorial authorities. Labour will work with the industry to simplify legislation, organise appropriate training of practitioners throughout the industry, and safeguard quality, safety, and health. This could involve looking at the effectiveness of current liability provisions in the building sector and investigating the possibility of self-certification by appropriately qualified and indemnified builders. The inaugural building summit in Auckland in mid-2008 drew widespread agreement from industry leaders. They agreed to create a forum which will recommend changes to the consents process for large-scale construction. This would mean only a single consent would be required when developers want to undertake the large-scale construction of standard homes using the same general design. This will further assist with bringing down construction costs. Labour will work with Territorial Authorities to develop centralised data bases to assist in consent processes and provide information on designs and building products. Consistency in the sector is crucial to providing peace-of-mind and security for New Zealanders wanting to build new homes. One way we intend to achieve this is through encouraging greater uniformity across all local government and building consents authorities to ensure timely and cost-efficient processes and avoid duplication. Labour will develop a nationwide set of guidelines on standardssetting to help improve consistency in the administration of different Building Consent Authority jurisdictions and in the rule-making of different Territorial Authorities. Many New Zealanders today and in the future may not choose to own a home. Lifestyle choices mean an increasing number will choose to rent, live in apartments and other multi-unit properties or, for many elderly people, opt for the safe, comfortable and happy retirement village environment. Labour is committed to safeguarding and protecting the rights of all of these groups. We have already reviewed the code of practice for retirement homes to protect the interests of older people and their families Strong Proven Leadership 44
Labour will put in place changes protecting property rights and titles within multi-units and high-rise apartments by modernising the out-of-date laws governing this area. The law covering the rights and responsibilities of both unit title owners and bodies corporate needs to be brought up to date because of changes in the way many New Zealanders are choosing to live, including the high number of people living in apartments and other high-density accommodation. Labour will proceed with amendments to the Unit Titles Act to provide security and fairness for stakeholders in medium and high density accommodation. As New Zealand renews and expands its housing stock, we also need to take account of our ageing population, with more people living longer into an active retirement. We need to future-proof our houses so that residences remain liveable and accessible for people throughout their lives. Labour will encourage, where reasonably possible, the design and construction of residences to ensure that a higher proportion of the housing stock is suitable to meet the needs of people of all abilities including the elderly. Research is a vital component to ensuring the New Zealand building industry is among the best in the world, taking advantage of the most innovative and effective design and construction ideas. Labour will work with and support the Building Research Association of New Zealand to ensure New Zealand stays abreast of innovation and effective future industry development.
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A Great Country for Kids
Labours policy for Children and their Families
2008
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Introduction
New Zealand has always been a great place to bring up kids. Labour wants to ensure that we continue to be a country where all new Zealanders can be proud of the way we give all our kids the best possible start. Bringing up a child is first and foremost a family matter, but at the same time, as a society, we all have an interest in the wellbeing of the next generation. Labour believes that public agencies should be acting as a willing partner, which any parent can call on as needed, to offer support, resources and advice. Sadly, in a small minority of cases, the duty of public agencies to protect children extends to protecting them from their own families. We need to ensure they have the resources and the will to act decisively but not prematurely, always making the interests of the child the first consideration. In many ways, each new generation is a new beginning. Labour wants every child to have the full opportunity to succeed, whatever family circumstances they are born into. It should not matter what failings or bad luck their parents might have every child should be able to make a fresh start. We mustnt allow New Zealand to become a place where misfortune is inherited down the generations. Sometimes, that means we have to act, as a community, to even the odds. Thats a sentiment most New Zealanders would agree with but in the 1990s economic policies meant families faced a tough time financially and the core Kiwi value that no-one should be held back simply because of the environment they are born into was in danger of being undermined. For right-wing politicians, it is easier to lump families parents and children alike into a stereotype labelled underclass and push them to one side. In the Labour Party, we believe that no child should miss out on the opportunities they need to grow healthily and develop their potential, because of what neighbourhood they live in or how much their parents can afford to pay. That is why we are committed to ensuring that good public provision of health, education and social services is available to all New Zealand families. Labour endorses the Every Child Counts campaign and remains committed to putting children and families at the centre of policy development and implementation. Labour will continue to promote strong families, offering support and resources to assist them in good parenting. Services will build on our existing commitment to increase access to high-quality early childhood education.
A whole child approach

Labour believes in a whole child approach to addressing childrens issues. That means: Strong Proven Leadership 48
focusing on the big picture, on the childs whole life and circumstances not just isolated issues or problems; focusing from the outset on what children need for healthy development not simply reacting to problems as they arise; and looking across the whole public service at what can be done to support childrens healthy development not looking for single-sector solutions.
Children largely depend on others and are sometimes vulnerable. But they are also continually developing the skills they need to look after themselves and make responsible decisions. Children are shaped in part by the settings in which they live. But they also shape their own lives through their thoughts and actions. Children are citizens in their own right. But they also need to be seen within their environment with their family, friends, in school, and with their communities.
Supporting families to give every child the best start in life

We all know that the opportunity for individuals to reach their full potential is strongly influenced by experiences during the early years of life. If you grow up in a safe, nurturing environment where you are kept healthy and supported to learn, then you are much more likely to grow up to be a successful and happy adult who is able to make a positive contribution to the community. This decade has seen a lot of changes for families bringing up young children. In the past, many families suffered falling wages, and the spectre of unemployment never seemed far away. Today, there have been record increases in employment more people have jobs than ever before and the number of families needing benefit assistance has fallen substantially.
Proportion of children in poverty
40
35
Proportion of population below threshold (%)
30
25
20
15
Family incomes have also risen. Much of that has been through wage increases, and weve raised the minimum wage to ensure all working people have benefited. But Labour is also proud to have helped increase family incomes through Working for Families. 49
2002 2004 2006 2008
10

1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000
0 1988
Working for Families has put tax dollars back in the pockets of more than half of New Zealand families with children. It has helped people raising children while on a benefit, while also ensuring that people are better off if they take a job. Tax cuts from 1 October are giving more money back to families. Families have also had help in meeting the costs for essential needs. This includes help with housing, early childhood education and health care costs. Children under six years old are also able to get free visits to their doctor. The full impact of the Working for Families package will be reflected in the next Household Economic Survey. The results are scheduled for release in mid 2009, and are expected to show further reductions in child poverty. Ten years ago . . . nearly one in three New Zealand children were living in poverty based on the measure used in the Social Report. Today . . . one in six children are living in families with income below the same poverty line. Ten years from now . . . all children will have access to the health, education and housing services that will enable them to develop to their full potential. But things arent perfect. There are still too many children living in poverty even though numbers have declined, and the gaps in health and other outcomes between the best and worst-off remain stubbornly wide. Investing early in children's lives is the most effective strategy for reducing the risk of poor economic and social outcomes. The last decade has seen an expansion of existing initiatives and the development of new initiatives to help support families and give children the best start in life. These include universal services that help all families and whnau raise their children, such as parenting information through Strategies with Kids Information for Parents (SKIP); targeted services that bring different agencies together to offer support to vulnerable communities such as social workers in schools; and intensive services such as one-on-one support and home visiting. But achieving change for our most vulnerable families and communities means more than just improved government services. It is often community-based services that play an important role in supporting families and making sure children get the best start in life. The groups providing these services know what their communities need. They know where the gaps are, and what can be done to make sure families, children and young people are taken care of. More often than not, they are the people in the community that vulnerable families go to first for help. Labour wants to ensure that all children thrive in childhood, are respected and valued, have the opportunity to reach their full potential, and participate positively in society now and into the future.
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Labour has recognised the need to continue to research and measure poverty and other social outcomes. The Social Report has been produced every year since 2001 to monitor the wellbeing of New Zealanders, and the Household Incomes report monitors income poverty and inequality. Labour will continue to support a transparent approach to the publication of information regarding the social outcomes achieved for New Zealanders. Labour will continue to publish the Social Report every year. We will continue to invest in families through the Working for Families package. We will review family tax credit rates regularly to ensure that children in beneficiary families obtain a decent standard of living and fair educational and recreational opportunities. Labour will expand the integrated service response for vulnerable families to offer a family-focused case management approach in more communities across New Zealand. We will expand the provision of support for families who have complex and multiple needs so they are safe and secure and their children get a good start in life. We will further invest in early intervention family support, with integrated departmental and non-government agencies collaboration. By working proactively with these families earlier, and providing a more intensive level of support, we hope to be able to assist these families before they reach crisis point. Labour will continue to place a firm focus on the value of positive parenting strategies. We will continue to invest in SKIP Strategies with Kids, Information for Parents providing resources and training to assist in positive parenting. We will also maintain the implementation of Te Rito, the New Zealand Family Violence Prevention Strategy and Family Safety Teams. Labour will continue the implementation of Pathway to Partnership so that by 2012 all contracts for essential services for children, young people and families will be fully funded. The sustainable funding model will give community providers more certainty so they can spend less time worrying about paying the bills and more time focusing on outcomes. It will improve the ability to plan ahead, attract and retain qualified staff, improve service effectiveness and achieve good outcomes for New Zealand families. The new model will mean there will be annual adjustments for inflation, as well as ongoing assessment and adjustments in relation to the volume of services required. Social services for children and families will be community-driven, collaborative, inter-agency and outcome-driven.
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Child Health
Every single young New Zealander deserves the best possible start in life. This means detecting and acting on any health problems early on. It means ensuring a strong public health system that has health professionals and clinics in place to deliver the necessary services. Labour has always believed that families should never have to choose between going to the doctor and putting food on the table. That was happening in the 1990s. As part of our primary healthcare strategy, we have halved the cost of seeing a doctor. Primary healthcare is the support Kiwis receive from frontline health workers in their community. It is the family doctor (general practitioner) or practice nurse that people see at their local clinic. Labour has worked to rebuild our primary care sector and support the staff who work in it. Most New Zealanders know that in the last few years it has become significantly cheaper to visit a GP while the cost of prescriptions has dropped significantly. Labour also funds PHOs to provide free visits for patients aged under six. The strategy is about much more than price it is a long-term investment in the health of all New Zealanders. Early treatment and advice prevents many illnesses from becoming more serious and enables more Kiwis to take control of their health and wellbeing. Labour will continue to work towards reducing the cost of GP visits for younger and older New Zealanders so that young people get medical advice early and so that older people can lead active, healthy lives. Over the coming years, we will prioritise reducing the cost of going to the doctor for those aged six to 17 years and for people over 64. Over the past decade, the support available to parents and new children has expanded and developed. The Well Child service a programme that ensures young kids receive regular health checks - has been upgraded and expanded. In addition, to ensure that no child falls through the cracks, a universal B4 School check is now being implemented that diagnoses any learning or health disabilities that might hinder children from learning at school. Labour will ensure District Health Boards and Primary Health Organisations work with other agencies such as schools and early childhood centres on health promotion activities in their regions. Schools and early childhood education centres provide excellent opportunities to reach children and young people and promote healthy lifestyles. We are already doing this with healthier food options in New Zealands schools, and will continue to ensure Strong Proven Leadership 52
that DHBs and PHOs work closely with other agencies to deliver important health promoting initiatives.
Maternity Care
Too often women dealing with a stressful pregnancy find their experiences vary depending on where they live. We will work to ensure a more timely and uniform provision of support across the country. Labour will work to address work force issues in maternity care and continue to ensure local access to reliable, safe midwifery and obstetric services across the country. It is important to us that access to maternity services is as convenient as possible, and that womens choice to use the maternity services they want and need is facilitated. Labour recently announced a package of initiatives to address workforce pressures in the midwifery sector. This included expanding the midwife workforce in training by a third, retaining more midwives with post-graduate study and providing financial support to overseas-trained midwives. Labour is committed to full implementation of this package. Labour will ensure there is a high level of communication and coordination between midwives, GPs and obstetricians so that all mothers are provided with the postnatal care they need, including longer stays in maternity units where this is required. Communication between maternity carers is crucial to effective and safe clinical services. We will work to ensure that barriers to communication between these health professionals are identified and reduced to the greatest extent possible, and that mothers receive the highest level of professional care. Labour will continue to promote satisfactory outcomes for pregnancy, childbirth and aftercare through provision of nationwide quality care by qualified health professionals. All mothers and mothers-to-be have the right to the very best clinical care possible. Sometimes communication and co-ordination between caregivers falls down, resulting in a poorer standard of care. Labour will work to ensure that all clinical professionals provide the highest standard of care, that they are accountable for their standard of care, and that mothers receive stronger maternity unit care when needed. We are committed to providing timely and uniform provision of support to women under stress during pregnancy across the country.
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Labour will ensure nationwide equality of access to contraceptive education, information and provision in partnership with qualified health professionals. Women have the right to access quality information and support to make informed decisions about sex and contraception. Labour will work to ensure that qualified health professionals have the resources to provide this information and support, and that women do not face barriers in accessing them.
Supporting Children and Young People at Risk of Harm

Most New Zealanders grow up in a caring and secure environment. Many Kiwis living abroad, and even people who have never lived here, know that New Zealand is a safe and healthy place in which to raise children. But some New Zealand children are not safe in their own homes. While international comparisons can be difficult to make, we know that our country does not do well when it comes to children being injured or even killed. And we know that in the overwhelming majority of cases, it is at the hands of somebody who is entrusted with their care. To prevent other children from experiencing this fate, we need public agencies that are strong and effective, with well-trained professionals working together. Social workers in community-based services also play an important role; they are often the professionals in the community that vulnerable families go to first for help. This is why strong partnerships have been developed between the community sector and government agencies. There is general agreement that to deliver responsive services to meet the needs of individual families, one agency cant do it alone. Although every tragedy is one too many, there has been positive change during this decade. The Taskforce for Action on Violence within Families is helping address this seemingly intractable and complex problem. There is now an effective whole-ofgovernment response that works in partnership with the community and voluntary sector. There is more support for providers in the family violence sector and more information and services available for families experiencing violence. As a result, were seeing a shift in the way people think about family violence. In the last decade, the care and protection system has been strengthened to ensure that there are effective, local responses that lead to permanent and stable care for children and young people. We now have a much stronger statutory agency to work closely with non-government agencies to support vulnerable children and young people. Quality social work can make a huge difference to the lives of individuals, families and communities. In 2003, the Social Worker Registration Act was passed to ensure high standards of practice and professional conduct among Social Workers. Initiatives Strong Proven Leadership 54
such as Social Workers in Schools have demonstrated the value of having trained professionals placed where they are accessible and approachable for children and families. Ten years ago if someone had a complaint about the work of an individual social worker, they had nowhere to go. Social workers had no professional framework. Today over 2000 social workers are registered across New Zealand and the Social Workers Registration Board provides public assurance that there is a basic standard of practice expected from every social worker. Ten years from now children and families will be assisted to access the package of professional supports and services that suit their individual circumstances. Labour will ensure high-quality statutory intervention services when children require care and protection from harm, while also ensuring young children in care continue to receive the range of services they need to learn, grow and develop. Labour will roll out the Differential Response Model across New Zealand by 30 June 2009 to ensure delivery of the right services to the right people at the right time. The Differential Response Model enables Child, Youth and Family to work more closely with non-government organisations also supporting families and young people. It means there are more options for responding when a report is received, and better opportunity to connect families to services as early as possible to prevent more serious problems. Labour will build the capacity and capability of community organisations delivering services to children and families through sustainable funding arrangements. That gives organisations a better ability to plan ahead, attract and retain qualified staff, improve service effectiveness and achieve good outcomes for New Zealand families. Labour will complete legislative changes to ensure the Children, Young People and their Families Act continues to provide an up-to-date, effective legal framework both for safeguarding New Zealands most vulnerable children and young people and for responding effectively to offending by children and young people. The Children, Young People and their Families Act provides a highly relevant framework for delivering effective services to children, young people and their families. However, it is now 18 years since the Act was passed and we owe it to New Zealanders to ensure it continues to provide the most effective legal framework for safeguarding our vulnerable children and young people, promoting their wellbeing and that of their families, whanau and family groups. This includes:
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raising the age to include 17-year-olds in the same care and protection and youth justice processes as younger children. enhancing Youth Court orders, including the introduction of two new orders for persistent or serious offending by young people improving the criteria for information sharing establishing complaints and review procedures improving the participation of children and young persons in the decisions that affect them recognising the support needs of those moving from care to independence
In a very small number of cases, children and young people pose a challenge to the safety, security and wellbeing of themselves and others. Labour will ensure that residential services provide a safe environment for children, young people and staff, while creating opportunities to effect lasting change for individuals. Labour will continue to implement the Residential Services Strategy. We will build further support around children and young people in residential care to deliver a service that is tailored to young peoples needs and focused on outcomes. Residential staff will work closely with young people to develop individualised care plans that focus on improving wellbeing, addressing welfare, education and health needs and preparing young people for transition back to their families and community. Labour will continue to implement the Care and Protection Blueprint. In 2003, Labour released the Care and Protection Blueprint, which outlined our strategy for enhancing the services provided to children and young people who were at risk of, or who had suffered from, abuse and neglect. In particular we placed a focus on improving health and education outcomes for children involved with Child, Youth and Family including: improving information on the health and education needs of Child, Youth and Family clients improving services for children and young people with disabilities improving access for, and the engagement of, Child, Youth and Family clients in mainstream education and the Correspondence School
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an inter-agency strategy for children and young people with severe antisocial behaviour Child, Youth and Family and District Health Boards implementing joint action plans to improve access to mental health services for Child, Youth and Family clients workforce development to support Child, Youth and Family clients with Autism Spectrum Disorder improving support for parents with mental health problems or disabilities who have children involved with Child, Youth and Family
Substantial progress has been made on these initiatives and many have now been implemented. Labour will maintain a focus on the broader needs of children and young people involved with the care and protection system. Labour will implement the recommendations of the Best of Care? review. The Best of Care? review examined policy, legislation and operational practice related to children and young people with disabilities and their families involved with Child, Youth and Family and the Ministry of Health. It looked at the issues surrounding out-of-home placement of disabled children and highlighted some critical issues limiting effective support for disabled children and their families. Labour wants to provide all children with a safe and supportive home environment. Providing a safe and supportive home for disabled children may require additional resources. We are committed to clarifying the funding responsibilities of agencies, strengthening processes within and between agencies, and improving access to services.
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Tackling the Environmental Challenge of our Times
Labours policy for Climate Change 2008

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Introduction
Scientists tell us it is more than 90 percent certain humans are the main cause of global warming. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, involving hundreds of scientists from around the world, says climate change is occurring more rapidly than was predicted. We are now pouring carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere on a scale that is greater than the ability of the environment to absorb it. Climate change is expected to pose significant hazards to New Zealand as a small island nation. As we move into the 21st century, changes in our climate are likely to lead to more intense rain and wind events during storms, and more frequent serious droughts as well as general changes in temperature and rainfall patterns. The composition of New Zealands emissions
Industrial Processes 5.4% Solvents 0.05% Waste 2.4%
AGRICULTURE 48%
Methane 31.0%
ENERGY 45%
Other Energy 14.6% Transport 18.5%
Electricity 10.7%
Agriculture Soils 16.4%
Other Agriculture 1.1%
forest sinks -29.2%
We all have a stake in getting greenhouse gas emissions under control. The Emissions Trading Scheme will discourage growth in emissions and reward emissions reductions. Climate change is a symptom of living unsustainably, and the scheme will put New Zealand on the path to a sustainable future. Economy-wide policies are being put in place to deal with climate change and other environmental challenges. Clear goals have been set for renewable energy, using such things as wind and solar power, and major steps have been taken to encourage energy efficiency. New Zealand communities are being prepared for the impact of extreme weather events and sea level rises before they occur. As the economy gradually moves away from its reliance on fossil fuels, we do not want nor need another 1980s/90s period of restructuring. But all New Zealanders need to understand and be supported through New Zealands move towards a low-carbon economy. While climate change poses an enormous global threat, Labour believes it also offers significant opportunities for a small sustainable nation. New Zealands research and development into sustainable agriculture, and our expertise in renewable energy such as geothermal, hydro and wind, presents us with opportunities in a world that is seeking sustainable solutions.
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We also believe New Zealand can have a leading role in international negotiations to address climate change issues in trade and other agreements, and to help our Pacific neighbours and other developing nations prepare for climate change.
The Emissions Trading Scheme

The Emissions Trading Scheme is the cornerstone of a responsible and balanced plan to tackle climate change. The scheme will be implemented along with a comprehensive range of other measures. New Zealands Emissions Trading Scheme is advanced by international standards because it includes all six greenhouse gases covered by the Kyoto Protocol, the international agreement on combating climate change. Over time, the scheme will encompass every sector of the economy from forestry to farming. This is sensible because it avoids distortions within the economy and shares responsibility for emissions fairly. Fairness among sectors is achieved through allocation of free emissions units by the government. A central registry will track the sale and purchase of emissions units. Each sector, and each major business within the sector, must have enough units to cover their emissions and will face the full cost of any increases in their emissions over and above any units they may have been allocated. The Emissions Trading Scheme does not create costs; rather it minimises the cost of reducing emissions. It puts a cost on emissions in the New Zealand economy so we can address our obligations as a country under Kyoto. It does that by charging the polluter for increases in emissions and rewarding decreases. Labour will ensure the speedy and effective implementation of the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme. There is no case to delay an emissions trading scheme; climate change is real and poses a severe threat to our way of life. Doing nothing and hoping the problem goes away is simply not an option.
An Economy-wide Package
Labours policies to tackle climate change do not rest solely with the flagship Emissions Trading Scheme. A combination of targets and sector-specific policies across the economy will put New Zealand on a long-term sustainable footing. Labours economy-wide targets include: 90 percent of our electricity coming from renewable sources by 2025 carbon neutrality in all stationary energy production and use by 2030 62
carbon neutrality in 35 core public service departments by 2012 halving our per capita transport emissions by 2040 (taking 2007 as the base year) carbon neutrality in the total energy sector by 2040 (if this target was adopted globally, the planet would be well on the way to overcoming human-induced global warming) achieving a reduction in greenhouse gases from the agricultural sector, below business as usual, of 300,000 CO equivalent tonnes by 2013
Transport
Labour has already taken big steps towards the goal of halving New Zealands per capita transport emissions by 2040.
New fuels have an important role to play in reducing transport emissions

30 25
Behaviour Efficiency
20
15
New Fuels (biofuels, electricity and hydrogen)
Million Tonnes CO 2 -e
10
Investment in public transport has surged 15fold in this decade. The buy-back of our railway system and the establishment of KiwiRail present a real opportunity to build a sustainable nationwide transport network.
5 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 2025 2030 2035 2040 2045
2050
Implementing legislation passed this year to introduce sustainable biofuels is a first step away from fuels such as petrol that come from unsustainable fossil fuel sources.
Electric Cars and Other Vehicles

Similarly, our ambition to be among the leading countries to widely deploy electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids marks the beginnings of a new era of energy independence and low emissions in transport. Labour intends to prepare the way for a large-scale roll-out of electric vehicles. We have already established a vehicle emissions reduction group focussing on electric vehicles. We expect to see electric cars starting to arrive and being used in New Zealand between 2010 and 2015. The numbers will grow slowly at the start, but volumes will increase as supply increases and costs decrease. As production of electric vehicles Strong Proven Leadership 63
ramps up internationally, the cost of the electric battery, which is the main driver of cost, can be expected to reduce markedly, and prices will come down. Labour will also build on our clean green electricity generation to develop partnerships with electric vehicle manufacturers. While it will be up to industry to develop electric vehicle technology, there is a role for government in establishing an environment that facilitates its uptake. Labour will plan for the introduction of a nationwide infrastructure to recharge electric vehicles. Electric vehicles used for local travel can be re-charged from the owners home. Vehicles used for longer distances, however, will need a supporting infrastructure of charging stations to enable recharging. We will need to work through a variety of issues about the public infrastructure required for people to charge their vehicles during a journey. The cost of the technology is likely to be expensive, especially for the sort of high voltage facilities that would allow shorter charging times. Questions about how these facilities will be funded, where they will be located and relevant health and safety issues will also need to be addressed. Major centres with an interest in electric vehicles such as California, London and Tokyo are likely to confront many of these challenges first and we will be able to learn from their experience. New Zealand could, however, be in a position to be the first country to set up a nationwide infrastructure for charging electric vehicles.
Energy Efficiency
Labour is committed to energy efficiency and conservation so that less electricity is wasted. In the past, the automatic response to our growing demand for energy has been to build more generation. A cornerstone of our New Zealand Energy Strategy, however, is to invest in improved energy efficiency where this is cheaper than the cost of producing extra energy or extra energy infrastructure. An assessment of these costs should include environmental costs. Investments in household energy efficiency, so that households consume less energy, are an example of this approach at work. The Energy Strategy also goes beyond electricity generation. For instance, our vehicle fuel efficiency measures are designed to reduce fuel consumption so that less fossilfuelled energy is required for New Zealands vehicle fleet.
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Ten years ago insulation standards were weak and few, if any houses built before 1978 had adequate insulation. Today insulation standards have been strengthened and, through the insulation retrofit programme, 42,000 New Zealand families now live in warmer, healthier, and more energy efficient homes. Ten years from now hundreds of thousands more houses in New Zealand will be insulated to the recommended standard to help households stay dry, healthy and warm. Labour now intends a major extension to the home insulation programme. We have brought in energy efficiency measures, such as insulating existing homes known as retrofitting. We are scaling up in this programme to ensure New Zealanders have warm, dry homes. These measures are timed with introduction of the Emissions Trading Scheme in mind. Labour is prioritising the insulation of state houses so that the remaining homes without insulation are retrofitted within 5 years. Labour recognises it is important the government sets an example for other landlords to follow. That is why the 2008 Budget provided for the state house insulation programme to be significantly accelerated, improving tenant health and reducing power bills. The new timeframe will see 21,000 state houses insulated within five years. Almost 12 homes a day will be insulated, doubling the pace of Housing New Zealands previous Energy Efficiency Retrofit campaign which began in 2001. Many homes in the South Island, where it is colder, have already been insulated. Houses in Auckland, Wellington and Manawatu, where there are significant concentrations of state housing, will be targeted next. A retrofit includes insulation of floors and ceilings, hot water cylinder wraps and lagging around hot water pipes. Efficient heaters will also be installed where appropriate. With the New Zealand economy clearly facing challenges from the global financial turbulence and economic slowdown, we have begun work on an economic stimulus package which will be implemented if the projected impacts on the New Zealand economy remain as they appear to be at the moment. The state housing insulation programme could have a role to play in this economic stimulus package. Labour is prepared to bring forward the current spending programme on home retrofitting, upgrading the State Housing stock, and planned development on Housing New Zealand land, as part of the economic stimulus package to be presented to Parliament in December. Strong Proven Leadership 65
We have also announced a one billion-dollar fund over 15 years to assist families to insulate their homes and improve the efficiency of their heating. This fund is the largest-ever investment in household energy efficiency in New Zealands history. It is not just a one-off cut to a households power bills but a longterm plan to reduce the amount of electricity every household uses. The fund will start in 2009, a year ahead of the electricity sector entering the Emissions Trading Scheme. The one-billion dollar fund to help New Zealanders make the most efficient use of energy will be targeted according to energy needs and income. Spread over 15 years, it will take private household energy efficiency to a whole new level. It will not only save energy, it will also reduce dampness in homes and the health problems that causes. For sufferers of respiratory diseases such as asthma, that means fewer visits to the doctor, fewer hospital admissions and fewer days off school or work. This is a great example of how actions to tackle climate change can benefit us in other ways. More New Zealanders than ever before can enjoy the benefits of a wellinsulated home and efficient heating while at the same time lessening their impact on the environment. This programme is relatively labour-intensive and people can be trained for the work in a relatively short time period. This makes the work ideal for generating work around the country. Improving the energy efficiency of our housing stock also contributes to the sustainability of our nation overall. It not only reduces demand for energy, but also it improves health outcomes. Labour will bring forward access to the $1 billion home energy efficiency fund so that schemes for retrofitting older houses can be expanded in those areas where unemployment is emerging. New Zealand has abundant solar energy resources. Heating water can account for up to 40 percent of a households electricity bill, and three-quarters of your water heating costs can be saved by installing a solar water heating system. Labour has increased the grant for installing a solar water heating system to $1000. Labour will provide support for the installation of 15,000 - 20,000 additional solar water heating systems by 2010.
Assistance to Households
While Labour is committed to action on climate change, we are determined to moderate the economic impact on households, particularly for our most vulnerable families. Strong Proven Leadership 66
Labour will deliver to all households in 2010 a one-off electricity rebate to assist with power bills, with those receiving benefits, superannuation and Working for Families tax credits also receiving a targeted one-off cash payment. The financial assistance will be broadly equivalent to the total amount of the increased electricity costs faced by the household sector in the first year of the introduction of the electricity sector into the Emissions Trading Scheme in 2010.
Economic Transition
As the economy gradually moves away from a reliance on fossil fuels, we do not want or need another 1980s/90s period of restructuring. All New Zealanders need to be engaged and supported in the move towards a low-carbon economy. Government has a clear role in setting the framework for a new type of economy to flourish. That policy framework includes research and development, the provision of incentives, and negotiating in international forums. Labour will develop practical policies to assist New Zealanders in the move to a more sustainable, less fossil fuel-dependent economy. Different industries and sectors will move into the Emissions Trading Scheme at different times over the next five years. A staged entry allows different sectors to prepare for entry. Where firms face international competition and so cannot easily pass on the extra costs to their customers, they may be eligible for a subsidy in the form of some free emissions units which they can sell to offset increased costs. This support will continue until 2018 and then be gradually phased out over the next 12 years to 2030. We will also work with businesses, unions, and workers to develop environmental plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and waste, and promote energy and transport efficiencies including telecommuting.
Agriculture
New Zealands emissions profile is unique among developed countries in that half our emissions come from the agricultural sector. Bringing agriculture into the Emissions Trading Scheme retains the integrity of the scheme. However, because of the complexities of reducing agricultural emissions, its entry will not occur until 2013. A range of measures will smooth its entry. Support will continue for work aimed at reducing overall greenhouse gas emissions in the broader agriculture sector, and New Strong Proven Leadership 67
Zealand will continue to be a world leader in developing low emissions technology to reduce the environmental effects of livestock farming. Labour will work with farmers to implement changes to reduce agricultures contribution to New Zealand's greenhouse gas emissions, in particular through the $700 million New Zealand: Fast Forward Fund - a research and innovation fund set up to help our food and pastoral industries become smart, sustainable, high-value suppliers of goods and services to world markets. Labour will support world leading research into new agricultural solutions, in particular through New Zealand: Fast Forward. The New Zealand: Fast Forward Fund of $700m will be matched by private funding from the food and pastoral sectors to create a substantial step forward in research and development, ranging from basic environmental research to pre-commercial development, over the next 10-15 years. This is easily the largest single investment in research and development in New Zealands history. One of the areas in which New Zealand: Fast Forward programmes will run is basic environmental research into the pastoral sector to reduce the environmental effects of climate change gases including improvements in water quality and reduced chemical use. Research is likely to be carried out through groups such as the Pastoral Greenhouse Gas Research Consortium and the Livestock Emissions Abatement Research Network (LEARN) which was established in collaboration with international partners. Labour will encourage research on, and experimentation with, a range of alternative technologies and farming practices, including low intensity farming. As farming systems intensify, greater amounts of nutrients are used which in turn can mean higher amounts of pollution in the environment. Growth in agricultural production is vital to New Zealands future economic prosperity, but not at any cost. We are already strongly engaged in working with the industry to investigate and apply measures which can significantly reduce nitrous oxide emissions from the agricultural sector over the next five years.
The Fishing Industry

The fishing industry faces unique challenges as it enters the Emissions Trading Scheme. Because of the sectors dependence on fuel, it is significantly affected by price rises for, say, diesel. Labour recognises this. Labour is providing for a free allocation of emission units for the fishing sector, to ease the sectors entry into the Emissions Trading Scheme.
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This free allocation is equal to 50 percent of the impact on fuel costs for a three-year period.
Forestry
Forestry is rewarded under the Emissions Trading Scheme because forests have a big role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As trees grow, they absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store it as wood. Forests are therefore sometimes referred to as carbon sinks. When forests are felled they release carbon. Carbon sinks make a contribution to meeting our obligations under the Kyoto Protocol and encouraging forestry is a major means of achieving this. Labour has set a target of increasing our forest area by a net 250,000 hectares by 2020, on top of what it was in 2007. Labour will encourage landowners to plant forests to act as carbon sinks, and provide incentives and information on suitable trees to plant. Several schemes such as the Permanent Forest Sink Initiative and the Afforestation Grant Scheme are already in place to encourage the planting of forests. Trees vary in their ability to capture and store carbon, and there are also biodiversity issues to consider, when determining the optimal mix of planting.
Industry
Labour has established a contestable innovation fund of 150,000 emission units a year, under the Emissions Trading Scheme. This will assist firms that face international competition but have not received a free allocation to help them take advantage of innovative technologies with the potential to reduce industrial emissions.
Assisting Local Communities

We need to prepare for the risks and opportunities a changing climate will bring. Sea level rise is an important issue in climate change, but science cannot yet provide precise answers as to the economic impact of the sea levels expected. Consequently, we must consider the risks of a range of sea level rises. Climate change will affect the lives of millions of people, but the impacts can be lessened with forethought, good information, and careful planning. Labour is already providing guidance for local communities to deal with climate change hazards such as storm surge, high waves, and rising sea levels. We are committed to providing further help for communities.
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Labour will carry out a plan of action for sustainable land management and climate change in partnership with land management sectors, Maori, and local government. Effective adaptation to a changing climate will require close cooperation between central and local government, the agriculture and forestry sector, Mori and other stakeholders. We will work with representatives from these groups to develop a fiveyear adaptation programme. The plan of action includes development of new technology and encouraging farmers to move towards the latest technology and environmental practice as they become available. It also includes provision for significant new research funding, with a priority on new technologies and practices that will improve the measurement and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, including methane from livestock. Labours plan of action also considers business opportunities arising from climate change. Moving from a high-emission to a low-emission economy is as much about positioning New Zealand for longer-term economic growth as it is about meeting this countrys international climate change obligations. Labour will ensure that local authorities are provided with reliable and upto-date information so they can properly take into account climate change risks in their infrastructure and planning decisions.
International Opportunities
While climate change poses an enormous global threat, it also offers great opportunities for a small sustainable nation. New Zealands research and development into sustainable agriculture, and our expertise in renewable energy such as geothermal, hydro and wind, present us with commercial opportunities in a world seeking sustainable solutions. Labour intends to maximise the economic benefits of our clean green country. Labour will work to ensure that New Zealand can export our expertise in renewable energy technologies. We are already a world leader in geothermal, wind, and hydro technologies, and we can further develop our expertise in marine generation and deep geothermal (also known as hot rock), and use that to help other countries build a renewable energy sector. We will help New Zealand companies export their expertise and products to other countries. To support tourism and agriculture, New Zealand already markets itself internationally as clean and green. Progressive policies on climate change extend this brand and bolster our environmental credentials. Strong Proven Leadership 70
Labour will work with the private sector to maximise the brand value of our environmental credentials in both tourism and agricultural exports. Labour also believes New Zealand has a leading role to play in international negotiations to address climate change issues in trade and other agreements, and to help our Pacific neighbours and other developing nations prepare for climate change. New Zealand has signed an agreement with the United States to engage on renewable energy research and development, and commercial use of renewable technologies that will benefit Pacific nations.
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Valuing and Supporting our Community Groups and Volunteers
Labours policy for the Community and Voluntary Sector
2008
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Introduction
Labour actively supports and encourages the development of strong, resilient communities because they make a vital contribution to building strong, cohesive communities that have a much higher chance of finding creative, effective local solutions to local issues and problems. A number of trends have impacted on communities in recent years. These include globalisation, which has affected trade, information, jobs and values. There has also been a move toward devolved responsibility from central agencies towards greater self-determination at a local level. The community and voluntary sector has played an ever-increasing role in supporting communities and delivering social services. Along with Treaty of Waitangi settlements, Maori development and increasing social diversity, the New Zealand of today and the New Zealand of the future are presenting quite different challenges to families and communities. There has been a shift of emphasis in community development in recent years. Governments role is now more likely to take a strategic investment approach funding essential services while encouraging local organisations and groups to find solutions to issues within their community. As our understanding of the importance of the role of the community and voluntary sector grows so too do the possibilities of empowering the sector to address social issues of long-standing concern in innovative and creative ways. Community based child and family service providers play an important role in supporting families and making sure children get the best start in life. They are the people who know what their community needs, where the gaps are, and what can be done to make sure families and children are taken care of in their community. More often than not they are the people in the community who vulnerable families go to for help. Labour will continue to build strong communities because we know that this leads to a strong, cohesive society and a strong economy.
Working Together
Since Labour came into office in December 1999, we have made a concerted effort to ensure that government and the community voluntary sector work more closely together. Our commitment to building a strong relationship with the sector was clearly signalled when we created a new role in the Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector portfolio. Strong Proven Leadership 75
Since that time, Labour has adopted a strategy of working with the community voluntary sector to tackle issues raised by the sector across government. We recognise that we share the same goal, namely that children, families and communities are provided with the support they need to be happy, healthy and safe. Labour signed the Statement of Government Intentions for an Improved CommunityGovernment Relationship in 2001 and made clear our commitment to building strong and respectful relationships. This now forms the baseline for all engagements between government and the sector. We established the Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector to lead this relationship. The office has since developed a suite of tools focused on changing the way government agencies engage with sector organisations. Information is now available to public servants about working with and funding the sector, and seminars have show-cased good engagement practices and what an effective relationship looks like in action. This year we announced a huge investment in community and voluntary sector groups that are contracted to deliver essential services. Pathway to Partnership, a multi-year plan to build strong, sustainable and more effective community-based services for families, children and young people, has cemented our close working relationship, and given us a framework to further expand on. Labour recognises that community and voluntary organisations interact across a range of government departments and agencies. We will ensure implementation of the Statement of Government Intentions in line with recommendations from the sectorled review. We will continue to give priority to working together and establishing coordinated, inter-sectoral policies and programmes. Labour will ensure that the Statement of Government Intentions is reflected in the accountability documents of all government departments and agencies. We will enable and ensure leadership from public service chief executives and senior managers to ensure that all agencies have a good understanding of the values, governance arrangements and working realities of the community and voluntary organisations with whom they interact. We will also continue to value the contribution of community and voluntary organisations to policy making and delivery of effective services. Government and the sector will work together to develop and improve consultation processes through sharing best practice, guidelines and training. The new sustainable funding model for social services has opened up a whole new way for government and non-government to work together. It has also opened up opportunities for government and philanthropic organisations to work together. Labour wants to examine how different funding organisations can work better together in the future to best support the provision of community development. Strong Proven Leadership 76
Labour will develop and implement a shared strategic funding framework between central government (including Lotteries), local government and philanthropic trusts.
Supporting the Community and Voluntary Sector

Labour recognises the community and voluntary sector can do things that governments cant. Structures within the sector are often less complex than those of government. This puts these organisations in a good position to explore new concepts and try out new ideas. This greater flexibility provides increased opportunities for innovation. Labour believes that governments role is to support the sector to do its work. Labour is implementing a new funding model for community organisations contracted to provide essential services for vulnerable families, children and young people. Labour will continue the implementation of Pathway to Partnership so that by 2012 all contracts for essential services for children, young people and families will be fully funded. The new model will mean there will be annual adjustments for inflation, as well as ongoing assessment and adjustments in relation to the volume of services required. Social services for children and families will be community-driven, collaborative, inter-agency and outcome-driven. The sustainable funding model will give community providers more certainty so they can spend less time worrying about paying the bills and more time focusing on outcomes. It will improve the ability to plan ahead, attract and retain qualified staff, improve service effectiveness and achieve good outcomes for New Zealand families. At the same time, in collaboration with Volunteering New Zealand and Philanthropy NZ, we have been looking at ways to encourage individuals and businesses to participate in their communities by giving time, money, or in-kind donations. Labour has made it easier for individuals and businesses to give to non-profit organisations through tax changes, such as clarifying the law related to the tax treatment of volunteer expense reimbursement, and raising the rebate and tax deduction thresholds on donations to charities. Labour believes the community sector is about more than service delivery, it also has a crucial role in community development. We know the success of the community and voluntary sector lies in their ability to understand their communities and the families who live in them. Labour is committed to ensuring these organisations remain independent, flexible and responsive to their communities.
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Labour will continue to support the independence of community sector advocacy. Labour will ensure that community organisations are able to engage in advocacy without becoming disqualified from charitable status, or government funding and support. Labour will continue to support the transparency and trust in the charitable sector through continuation of the Charities Act framework. We will continue to review funding arrangements and look for opportunities to reduce compliance costs. This will include examining the support available for improved capability and capacity in the sector. It includes continuing to support the role of Volunteering New Zealand. We know that it is inefficient and ineffective for many small community organisations to establish complex infrastructure to support their work. Labour will provide and co-ordinate infrastructure supports and resources across the sector. This will include advice, capacity and infrastructure in human resources, legal, financial systems, audit and information technology. We will ensure the community and voluntary sector has access to easily-understood information about central government services and resources. Labour will give particular priority to providing consultation, support, advice and resources to ethnic and migrant-based voluntary agencies and ensure that support is culturally appropriate. We will continue to ensure the Office for the Community and Voluntary Sector is inclusive in its approach, and in particular supports smaller and ethnic voluntary agencies.
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Natural Heritage We Are Proud Of
Labours Policy for Conservation
2008
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Introduction
From the establishment of the very first national park at Tongariro in 1887 to the network of parks and marine reserves that exist today, New Zealanders have consistently placed high value on the wild landscapes and beautiful mountains and lakes that define our homeland. Labour has always understood this. It was the Fourth Labour Government that established the Department of Conservation (DOC), the first government agency solely dedicated to the management of public conservation land and the protection of indigenous wildlife. The department was also mandated to ensure opportunities for Kiwis to enjoy the great outdoors. While right-wing politicians have been happy to let this public service run down, Labour still holds the same values and aspirations for conservation it always has. We still value the protection of our native biodiversity on land and in the sea. We still value investing in facilities that support New Zealanders to get out and enjoy the natural world. We value investing in the Department of Conservation as the frontline conservation agency and we value the contribution communities make to the conservation effort. Protecting and enhancing our natural landscapes and the wide range of species it sustains is important for our economy. Along with our image as a clean, green nation, the health of our economy also depends on preserving and enhancing our land, air and water.
Biodiversity - Protecting and Enhancing our Natural Heritage

Our native plants, animals and birds are found only in New Zealand. However, humans, along with introduced animals, have eliminated over 50 percent of New Zealands endemic land and freshwater species. At least 2,000 of our indigenous species are still threatened with extinction. The retention of our remaining indigenous biodiversity is crucial to the health of New Zealands environment, and our nations future. Over the last decade weve learned more about species protection and recovery. More sophisticated techniques for pest management, and our expertise in creating offshore island sanctuaries, mean weve been able to put more species on a path to recovery. Last year for example, the long-term outlook for 238 of our threatened or at-risk species was improved. There are now five kiwi sanctuaries alongside the approximately 30 other predator-free island programmes completed since 2000.
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Ten years ago . . . biodiversity work was being done where possible, however results were varied and local and regional programmes operated without a sense of national priorities. Resources were very scarce. Today . . . the New Zealand Biodiversity strategy tells us where were going, and how we are getting there. Ten years from now . . . New Zealands wildlife population will be stabilised and increasing. Species will be coming off the endangered list regularly. A national strategy for halting the decline of our biodiversity has been in place since 2001 with strong results. But while counting the positives, we must constantly refine our efforts to ensure they are focused in the right places. In the next scheduled review of the New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy we will incorporate a proposed new National Policy Statement on Biodiversity under the Resource Management Act. Labour will incorporate a new National Policy Biodiversity into the New Zealand Biodiversity Strategy. Statement on
Without active protection work, making headway in the protection and enhancement of our native plant and animal life is impossible. Labour will continue to resource weed and integrated pest control on public conservation land to protect threatened species from the impact of plant and animal pests. Pests whether already here, or those that may make it onto our shores - continue to pose a significant challenge to our most critically-threatened species. We can further upgrade biosecurity measures and ensure that vulnerable species are not unnecessarily placed in harms way by extending protections under the Wildlife Act. However, dedicated sanctuaries continue to prove the most effective incubators for rejuvenating populations of threatened species. Labour will continue the programme to progressively eradicate predators from off-shore islands and other suitable areas in public ownership in order to protect threatened species. This could include such places as Rakiura/Stewart Island where a community-led process is currently examining this possibility. It will also include the eradication of pests from Motutapu and Rangitoto Islands in the Hauraki Gulf. Creating sanctuaries supports the rejuvenation of our most precious wildlife. But sanctuaries can also create educational and economic benefits for a region. Success stories such as Kapiti Island and Tiritiri Matangi Island, safe havens for some of our rarest species and within reach of our two largest urban centres, attract thousands of tourists and visitors each year. Labour will promote recreational and tourism opportunities alongside species recovery work and predator free sanctuaries as appropriate. Strong Proven Leadership 82
On the mainland, the conservation estate includes about one third of New Zealands land mass. Much of it is in steep, mountainous areas. The last decade has seen a focus on redressing this balance. Valuable ecosystems from lowland forests and wetlands, to tussock grasslands and coastal areas have been given priority for protection. Labour will continue to make additions to land held for public conservation through dedicated funds and the voluntary tenure review process. For instance, the Nature Heritage Fund is dedicated to protecting land that might otherwise be logged or further damaged by introduced browsing animals. To date, over 340,000 hectares of land has been protected by the fund.
Community-led Conservation
Many New Zealanders have cared for forest and wetlands on private land and we all share in the benefits of that work. Private and community led conservation initiatives form an integral part of the overall drive to protect New Zealands natural heritage and promote our clean, green image. Over the last decade, there has been a huge increase in volunteer and community conservation efforts. This has changed the way government supports conservation. Specific funds have been set up to target and support the range of community-driven conservation initiatives. Thanks to the enthusiasm and hard work of many ordinary New Zealanders, this has produced some dramatic results. There are now nearly a thousand private or community-led projects dedicated to biodiversity restoration or enhancement work. Outside of this, volunteers make a massive contribution to DOC projects as well. Last year alone nearly 8,000 volunteers showed up to put in around 19,000 days worth of work on conservation projects around the country. Supporting New Zealanders enthusiasm for conservation work on private land remains a crucial part of Labours strategy to protect our native biodiversity. The Department of Conservation will continue to lend its expertise to stakeholders to identify and protect indigenous ecosystems on private land. Stakeholders include private landowners, the public, tangata whenua and local government. Direct funding for community-led work on indigenous biodiversity and species recovery projects will continue to be available. Labour will retain contestable funds to support and encourage community-led conservation work. Alongside funding for restoration and recovery work, there is now help for Kiwis who want to legally protect valuable conservation areas. Over the past decade, hundreds of thousands of hectares have been legally protected with the support of targeted funding.
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Labour will encourage private landowners to protect conservation values on their land, support them with specific funds and conservation trusts and promote exemption for legally-protected conservation areas from rating by local authorities.
Supporting Public Conservation

Labour led the world by establishing the Department of Conservation (DOC) in 1987 as an agency integrating the protection of and recreational opportunities in our natural environment. DOC still leads our national conservation efforts. It manages over one third of the countrys land, on behalf of the public, for conservation purposes. It carries out pestcontrol work over hundreds of thousands of hectares each year to protect our indigenous ecosystems. It is responsible for the protection of our most critically endangered species and operates recovery programmes for our rarest species including kiwi, kokako and takahe. It ensures tourist operators, energy companies, farmers and other users of public conservation land do so fairly, sustainably and in a manner that protects our heritage. It operates and continually upgrades a significant national network of huts, tracks and visitor facilities. It promotes conservation nationally and advocates for it at all levels of government. Over the past ten years, as public support for conservation has grown, DOC has been asked to do much, much more and it has been backed with the resources to do so. It is half way through a ten-year upgrade of huts and tracks around the country. This project, worth hundreds of millions of dollars, is delivering better services to New Zealanders and tourists as they explore our beautiful wilderness areas. DOCs species recovery work in island sanctuaries and its pest control work is vital for our threatened species. Today, Labour remains committed to DOC as a public service to effectively protect and advocate for our natural heritage. This work should remain founded on the best ecological science and practical conservation management experience. Labour will ensure that DOC continues to play a leading role in maintaining New Zealands biodiversity and advocating for the conservation of natural and historic resources. DOC has always maintained strong relationships with the community. However Labour wants to see even more collaboration between DOC and conservation stakeholders. By working closely with the many community organisations and groups involved in conservation, conservation will be enhanced and improved. Labour will actively pursue local government, community and corporate partnerships for conservation projects, including, for Strong Proven Leadership 84
example, community education and involvement in practical conservation projects such as the development of mainland island sanctuaries. The future of our natural landscapes, native plants and animals and unique marine life lies in our hands and the hands of those who will come after us. We can encourage future generations to value conservation by rolling out initiatives such as the EnviroSchools programme. Enviro-Schools not only focuses on environmental education but teaches students about sustainability. Our young people will be the skill base for frontline conservation work in the decades to come. Labour will build the available pool of conservation rangers, planners and biodiversity specialists by developing a conservation apprenticeship programme. This programme will be targeted at school-leavers who are contemplating working in the conservation sector. Its aim will be to provide a strong grounding in practical conservation management. On successfully completing the programme, some graduates may seek work through DOC while others may go on to employment in local government or community-led conservation work.
Outdoor Recreation Helping Kiwis enjoy our heritage

Kiwis have a long and proud history of getting out into the great outdoors and exploring the wonderful natural heritage our country has to offer. Access to this heritage is of great cultural and social importance. The networks of huts and tracks across our public conservation land form the backbone of New Zealands outdoors infrastructure. This is a significant asset not only is it valued by Kiwis, but our tourism sector also depends on it. Last year nearly 30,000 visitors stayed in huts or lodges in the Abel Tasman National Park alone. Over the last decade this network has been replaced and upgraded. There are now new lodges in place of old huts, more places to go to, trails repaired, and new ones to explore, either by foot or on a bike. Ten years ago . . . our outdoors infrastructure needed significant improvements. In the decade prior, no provision for this had been made. Today . . . we are four years in to a multi-million dollar upgrade with huts being upgraded or replaced right around the country. In ten years time . . . our vision is for a fully-developed network of huts, tracks and infrastructure that Kiwis are proud of, that supports tourism demand and is the envy of the world. New Zealanders expect that the quality of outdoor recreational experiences, including walking, tramping, skiing, climbing, angling, swimming, rafting, boating and Strong Proven Leadership 85
mountain biking, remains protected. Labour will continue the programme to upgrade the outdoors infrastructure of huts, tracks and other visitor facilities. Labour will promote the development of new outdoor recreational opportunities, for example, walking and cycling trails on former railways land. New Zealand also benefits from a national walkway, Te Araroa, which aims to connect Cape Reinga to the Bluff through public walkways and tracks. This walkway is being developed over time, with signage gradually added to identify the route. A community-led trust drives its development and Labour fully supports the goal for a walkway the length of the country. Labour will facilitate the completion of Te Araroa, the long pathway from North Cape to Bluff, and encourage public and community consultation on proposed routes. As demand for land around our coastline increases, opportunities available for the traditional Kiwi summer camping holiday have decreased. To address this, new public camping grounds have been opened on DOC land with four new campsites opening in 2007 alone. Over the next year another four camping sites are expected to open and another nine will be upgraded. Labour will continue to develop new camping grounds as opportunities arise. Many Kiwis also share in a long-held tradition of recreational hunting for deer, pigs and other wild animals. Labour believes that hunters can make a contribution to the management of wild animals on public conservation land. While the protection of our indigenous biodiversity must always come first, the contribution that hunters make should be recognised. A recent independent Ministerial Panel consulted with the public widely on how wild animals on public conservation land should be managed, and what role hunters could take. It concluded that their efforts do add value but could be better co-ordinated. Labour will facilitate the development of a Big Game Hunting Council to co-ordinate all hunting interests.
Marine Conservation Protecting Our Sea Life

New Zealanders have always shared a special connection with the sea. Our rich marine and coastal ecosystems provide food and recreation. However these ecosystems have a history of being impacted by over-fishing, soil erosion, overdevelopment, urban and pastoral run-off, careless waster disposal and sewage Strong Proven Leadership 86
pollution. This has taken a toll on the vulnerable plants and animals in the marine environment. Over the last decade our awareness and concern for the marine environment has grown and the way we manage it has developed and changed accordingly. Fishing stocks are now managed within a framework of sustainability and the number of marine reserves has been significantly increased. Marine reserves are now recognised not just for their scientific benefits but for their public use and enjoyment. Threatened species, such as the Maui and Hectors Dolphins, are also being protected within designated marine sanctuaries and the strongest-ever set of protection measures have been put in place to halt their decline. Ten years ago . . . our marine life and resources were given little attention and our fishing stocks were in danger of being over-fished. Today . . . fishing is managed within a framework of sustainability. A new collaborative process for marine protection right around New Zealand is underway. Ten years from now . . . New Zealand will be known for its world-leading approach to marine conservation, with a network of marine protected areas to support the rejuvenation of our marine life for all New Zealanders to enjoy; our trading partners will continue to buy our seafood because they know they are buying a sustainable, quality product. Many different groups have a high level of interest in our marine areas. These include commercial fishers filling orders for export markets, local recreational fishers and conservationists and scientists investigating marine species. It also includes iwi. With so many groups, forging agreement on which areas should be protected remains a challenge. But our approach is changing. Communities deserve a say in where and what marine protection is proposed. In the past, protection has been fragmented and ad hoc. Now we are moving forward with a more collaborative approach, using a range of options such as trawling and dredging bans as well as marine reserves and other protective measures. Labour will implement a network of marine reserves and other protected areas for the protection of marine biodiversity with the aim of having 10 percent of our marine environment in some form of protection. Iwi have a special stake in the protection and sustainable use of our marine life. This must also be recognised and provided for within the network of protected areas. Labour will facilitate the development of taiapure and mataitai reserves to enhance the sustainability of kai moana and to complement marine reserves.
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Labour values our status as a world leader in protecting threatened species, and this extends to the sea. A plan to halt the decline of the Maui and Hectors Dolphins, the worlds rarest marine dolphins, is now underway. We will be vigilant over species that are under threat and act as necessary. Labour will monitor the effectiveness of existing marine mammal sanctuaries and support the development of further protective measures or sanctuaries as necessary. However other species, including sea-lions, albatross, and other sea birds remain at risk from commercial fishing-related threats. Labour will work to achieve further reductions in fisheries by-catch of marine mammals and seabirds, including through the use of mandatory targets and mitigation measures. While we implement change to protect our marine environment, Labour has strongly backed international efforts to ensure the worlds whale populations continue to be protected from commercial fishing. After a century of exploitation, some populations are only just beginning to recover. Labour will work through international organisations to achieve stronger protection for whales, to end scientific whaling and to advance the South Pacific Whale Sanctuary.
South Island High Country

The Crown currently owns 1.7 million hectares of land in the South Island high country on behalf of all New Zealanders. This land comprises mountainous terrain, high country lakes and tussock grassland. Historically, it has been leased out to farmers to run sheep and other stock. Under the tenure review process, farmers have the opportunity to give up pastoral lease land with high conservation values in exchange for being able to freehold other parts of their land more suited to farming. Tenure review has been strengthened and improved so that highly-desirable landscape, such as lakefront, is protected against inappropriate development. In the past decade, some 328,000 hectares of former pastoral lease land has been added to the conservation estate, preserving its natural values and making it accessible to ordinary Kiwis. Most recently, the magnificent St James station, a significant high country station and New Zealands largest pastoral lease was brought back into public ownership. In doing so, over 78,000 hectares of mountain ranges, valley floor native grasslands, wetlands and more became public conservation land protected for future generations.
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The addition of new public conservation land has also produced economic benefits. Local communities have benefited from increased visitor numbers and protected tussock grasslands also provide valuable water retention for urban water supply, irrigation and power generation. So far, nine conservation parks in the South Island high country have been created, and a further two are nearly complete. Labour will complete the high country parks and reserves network by combining existing public conservation land with new conservation land from tenure review or purchase. Public access between private blocks of land in the high country, existing public conservation land and newly-acquired conservation land is often unclear. When access is unclear, this can prevent people being exposed to the full range of experiences our natural landscape has to offer. Labour will identify public rights of access through high country land by identifying unformed legal roads and marginal strips alongside waterways. While the public have benefited with the creation of new conservation parks through the tenure review process, long-term leaseholding should be retained for farmers. High country farming that is environmentally sustainable and economically viable should be encouraged. We believe that the tenure review process should ensure that high country rents are fair and reasonable for lessees while the Crown, on behalf of the public, obtains a fair financial return. Labour will offer lower rent to lessees in exchange for public access or for enhanced land husbandry (e.g. pest and weed control) beyond what they are currently obliged to do. The kinds of rights for the public that might be negotiated include public accessways to lakes and rivers on public conservation land.
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Safe and Informed Consumers
Labours policy for Consumer Affairs
2008
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Introduction
New Zealand consumers need information they can trust. With robust consumer protection laws, New Zealanders can be sure the products and services their families are using are safe. Labour is committed to a commercial environment where consumers can be confident they are getting a good a deal and where they are aware of their rights. Over the past decade, consumer laws have been strengthened, there has been a crackdown on unethical trading practices and consumers are now able to get redress for problems when they arise. The three-year time limit on complaints about false claims for goods and services under the Fair Trading Act has been changed - the time now runs from the moment a consumer discovers he or she has been misled (rather than the time of sale). This has introduced an incentive for traders to provide fair and accurate information about products and services. Scams have been a problem in New Zealand, with many targeting low-income families who can least afford to bear the loss. Much tougher penalties have been introduced for people who engage in unethical behaviour such as pyramid-selling. The powers of the Commerce Commission to enforce consumer laws have been increased which has led to an increased number of significant prosecutions. Many scams have been picked up by new monitoring techniques and from information made available through websites and public awareness campaigns. Changes to motor vehicle sales laws have meant that buying a car is safer because traders must be registered. The motor vehicle traders register is a free and easy way for families to check - at any time - if the motor vehicle seller they are dealing with is registered or has been banned from registering. Improvements have also been made in the information traders must provide about used motor vehicles. Curbing exploitative lending practices has also been a target for Labour. Updated credit contracts legislation that deals with hire purchase and loans has improved the information lenders must provide, giving consumers meaningful information about the total cost and terms of accessing credit. It also provides for fair rules relating to fees and interest charges that protect consumers from unreasonable charges. Recently we have enacted laws which require those who provide financial services to be registered and to provide dispute resolution systems. We have focused on working with industries, such as telecommunications companies and the Electricity Commission, to make sure that families have clear and easily accessible dispute resolution systems to effectively manage complaints without having to resort to costly legal processes. Over the last decade, our focus has been on understanding how consumers make decisions and on education campaigns that give people information about consumer rights and product safety. Strong Proven Leadership 93
Ten years ago A number of unscrupulous traders and lenders regularly breached the law, with little fear of legal action against them. More information about consumer rights and product safety was badly needed. Today We have increased legal protections and enforcement against unfair trade practices, ensured there is better consumer information available through a range of different sources. Ten years from now We will have significantly increased consumers knowledge of their rights and tailored consumer information to the needs of communities for the particular kinds of risks they face.
Protected and informed consumers

In the future, we know that population changes will affect the kind of consumer protection and information needed. There will be significant growth in the number of older New Zealanders. We need to be able to address the kinds of exploitative lending and marketing practices that could harm vulnerable older New Zealanders. We also know the population is becoming more ethnically diverse, and that Mori and Pacific peoples will comprise more of the overall population. Mori are projected to comprise 21 percent of the total population by 2051 and the number of Pacific peoples is expected to double by 2031. These changes, along with an increasingly multi-cultural New Zealand, are important for the kinds of consumer education that will be needed. We will focus on the types of protections that are needed to regulate unacceptable behaviour by some sellers who concentrate on Mori and Pacific markets. Research and information from budget advisers has highlighted that the practices of fringe lenders also called loan sharks who continue to be a significant concern. Investigation has shown that operators in some areas, such as South Auckland, have a relatively high level of non-compliance with credit laws. The Commerce Commission has taken a number of enforcement actions against South Auckland-based traders targeting vulnerable consumers. We are currently reviewing the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act, with the fringe-lending industry as a particular focus. This work includes an in-depth look at lending and borrowing behaviour with a view to identifying possible further interventions that will reduce the financial strife these lenders can cause families. Labour will complete the review of the Credit Contracts and Consumer Finance Act and, following public consultation, implement any increased protections for consumers that are identified. Concerns have been raised about the exploitative practices of mobile shops. These are businesses that operate out of mobile trucks which frequently sell over-priced goods (particularly clothing) and which target low income neighbourhoods. Strong Proven Leadership 94
Under the new financial service provider laws, mobile shops that provide credit will have to be registered and be subject to a dispute resolution scheme. Labour will ensure that this requirement is enforced. We will also investigate whether regulation should be extended to those who do not provide credit. Labour will investigate further regulation of the mobile shops industry to ensure that vulnerable consumers, particularly people from Pacific and Mori communities and those with English as a second language, are not exploited by unethical mobile shop practices. An important way that consumer information and advice is given to families is through government working in partnership with budget advisers and Citizens Advice Bureau staff. Successful consumer advice training workshops run by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs have been held around the country, and we will build on these. The Ministry of Consumer Affairs also uses these training sessions as an opportunity to gather information about current consumer issues in the community so that this information can inform work on changes to consumer law. Labour will increase training for budget advisers and Citizens Advice Bureau volunteers on consumer protection laws and policy. As the technology we use changes and overseas products become readily available, we need to monitor the safety of products and give families clear and accessible information about safe product use. We need to monitor the dangers associated with the use of new products (for example, through information we get about injuries from ACC claims) to ensure the public can be well informed on safe usage. Labour will continue to monitor product safety and review public education initiatives about product safety to promote safe and informed product usage.
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Securing Community Safety
Labours policy for Corrections
2008
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Introduction
Since 1999, New Zealands prison population has increased rapidly as a result of Labours increase in police numbers of around 2,500, a much higher crime resolution rate by the Police, and tougher laws on bail, sentencing and parole. Four new prisons and around 3,300 additional prison beds have been created to cope with a 71 percent increase in prison numbers since the latter part of the 1990s. Increased security in prisons has resulted in a sharp decline in prison escapes, down 84 percent since the late 1990s. Tougher measures, including drug dogs, have helped reduce contraband entering prisons and drug tests show a decline in drug taking by two thirds from 34 percent down to 14 percent. Labour has not only increased capacity and security in prisons. It has also embarked on a major programme to address the causes of offending and to reduce reoffending. This includes vastly increasing work available for inmates, to give offenders work habits, work experience and work skills. There has been a major increase in drug and rehabilitation programmes for inmates, which has had positive effects in reducing reoffending by around 14 percent. Emphasis has been placed on improving literacy and numeracy skills among inmates and creating opportunities to earn New Zealand Qualification Authority credits. In Community Corrections, the introduction of electronic monitoring devices has proven effective in monitoring and controlling offenders in the community, while increased resources in the area of probation will allow improved standards in supervision in this area and in community sentences.
Prison Numbers
As a result of stronger policing and tougher laws, Labour has imprisoned criminal offenders at an unprecedented rate. Labour has introduced longer prison sentences with a greater proportion of those sentences served, and a tougher response to parole applications with declines increasing from 51 percent before the 2002 Parole Act to 71 percent currently. This has required the construction of four new prisons (Otago; Auckland Regional Womens; Northland; and Springhill in the Waikato) and around 3,300 additional beds. New Zealand currently has an imprisonment rate of 188 per 100,000 population, well above comparable countries like Australia, England and Canada and one of the highest in the developed world. Strong Proven Leadership 99
While serious offenders will continue to get heavy sentences, efforts need to be made to prevent offending in order to get prison rates down in the future. Labour will increase its focus on dealing with the causes of crime, including by addressing neglect and abuse of children in dysfunctional families. A continued and increasing focus will be placed on reducing demand for and supply of illegal drugs, and reducing abuse of alcohol through more restrictive laws and trying to address the culture of binge drinking and tolerance of drunkenness. Labour will work to further reduce the supply of and demand for illegal drugs and reduce abuse of alcohol. We will build on the Early Intervention initiatives already underway to keep less serious and lower risk offenders out of the prison environment which exposes offenders to hard core, and recidivist criminals and to require lower risk offenders to meet their responsibilities to their families through working, paying taxes and providing reparation to victims. We will continue and build upon efforts to stop prison being a revolving door by addressing the causes of offending and reoffending through proven effective rehabilitation programmes. Labour will put increased resources into early interventions to nip offending in the bud, and will continue to work to bring down reoffending rates through the provision of meaningful rehabilitation programmes.
Upgrading Prison Security and Facilities

Labour has succeeded in dramatically reducing escape rates from prisons by better physical security such as effective perimeter fences, the use of surveillance equipment, single points of entry into prisons and better management. Labour will continue the process of improving prison security and work through a programme to replace obsolete and uneconomic prison facilities beginning with Mt Eden. Labour will expand facilities in the Auckland region to reduce the number of inmates from Auckland currently being transferred to facilities in other regions because of lack of capacity in Auckland.
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Safety of Prison Officers

Labour will speed up the process under which prison management and unions are working together to improve the safety of prisons officers. Labour is committed to seeing this issue advance so that prisons have appropriate tools and procedures at their disposal for officers to be able to protect themselves without putting at risk a stable prison environment.
Gang Members in Prisons

The percentage of gang members and associates in the prison system has increased significantly with Police targeting of and crackdown on gangs involved with serious crime and drug trafficking. Telephone conversations and correspondence from gang members will be targeted for the purposes of police intelligence and to prevent gang leaders in prisons continuing to direct criminal associations in the community. Continued affiliation to and contact with organised criminal groups will be a factor taken into account by Parole Boards, likely to result in the decline of parole applications by gang members. Under Labour, continued association with criminal gangs while in prison will count against getting parole.
Contraband in Prisons / Telephone Jamming and Monitoring

Tighter controls in the prison system including the use of metal detectors, drug dogs, single point of entry and cell-phone jamming have been effective in restricting entry of illicit items into prisons. Labour will build on and intensify such controls: By February next year, all prisons will have cell-phone jamming rendering unlawful communication by inmates by this means inoperable. By law all lawful communication, either by payphone or letters will be subject to recording, and monitoring, either at random or by targeting based on intelligence.
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Labour will bring into force the Corrections Amendment Bill, which will make it harder to bring contraband into prisons and make it easier to detect such items and punish those who use and peddle them. The Bill: Enhances existing powers and procedures for strip searching prisoners. Provides for random searches of areas, including staff lockers. Supports the integrity of drug testing in prisons by strengthening the measures against tampering with samples. Tightens offence provisions relating to contraband it will be an imprisonable offence for a prisoner to possess or use an electronic communication device such as a cell phone, and for anyone to possess an unauthorised item without reasonable excuse while visiting or working in a prison. Labour will bring into force its Corrections Amendment Bill, which will make it harder to bring contraband into prisons and make it easier to detect such items and punish those who use and peddle them.
Drug and Alcohol Treatment

Labour has increased the places available for inmates with alcohol and drug addiction and abuse problems to attend six month intensive programmes to 500, up from the 40 it inherited from the last National Government. These programmes are subject to on-going evaluation but have so far demonstrated effectiveness in reducing reoffending by around 14 percent. The prison based programmes are made available to inmates who indicate motivation to change their behaviour and at an appropriate time before release to maximise the value to the community and inmates from the investment made in them. Labour will continue to expand Prison-based drug and alcohol treatment programmes subject to the level of need and the availability of skilled drug and alcohol rehabilitation personnel. Prison based programmes however need to be balanced by community based programmes focused both on preventing addiction and abuse problems leading to crime and to prevent relapse by inmates following release.
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Under Labour, funding is being boosted by $18 million to expand community based drug and alcohol treatment services over the next two years. In Auckland for example a specialist Alcohol and Other Drug project should see around 2,000 AOD affected offenders or potential offenders receive treatment per annum. AOD specialists are being placed in Police Watch Houses in Christchurch and Counties Manukau, with other specialist staff to be based at Courts. Investments in prison based programmes will not be at the expense of community based programmes.
Work in Prisons
Labour believes that it is vital that inmates, who at the time of conviction have high levels of unemployment, get the opportunity to acquire work habits, work experience and work skills. Over the last three years, the number of inmates working has increased from 40 up to 51 percent, with around two thirds of sentenced prisoners now working. This represents an increase of around 900 more jobs. Almost all of the increase has been based on real work programmes rather than in-prison services. By 2010, Labour will seek to increase work in prisons to meet the objective of 60 percent of all inmates and 80 percent of sentenced inmates in employment. This will mean the creation of nearly 1,000 new jobs over this period. Labour will seek to create nearly 1,000 new jobs for prisoners providing work habits, experience and skills to reduce reoffending by 2010.
Work Skills
Over the last year work skills acquisition by inmates has increased dramatically, with the number of New Zealand Qualifications Authority credits gained increasing from 20,350 in 2006/07 to 37,563 in the 2007/08 year. Labour will continue the emphasis on inmates gaining skills needed for successful reintegration into the community and lowered rates of reoffending.
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Literacy and Numeracy

The use of a new screening tool in prisons has recently found 60 percent of prisoners do not possess the basic literacy needed to engage in society and 35 percent lacked in basic numeracy skills. Labour has commenced and will this year consolidate new literacy and numeracy programmes which will provide for training for around 1,850 prisoners per year. The new programmes involve training of around 100 hours per prisoner to complete. Labour will provide for literacy and numeracy training for around 1,850 prisoners per year.
Mental Health Needs

The cause of much offending in the community can be related to mental health conditions of inmates. Corrections provide primary mental health care with District Health Boards having responsibility for secondary care. Corrections and Health have recently worked together to develop for the first time a mental health screening tool for the prison environment. The next Labour led Government will provide funding to develop this tool to better identify and make provision for mental disorders suffered by inmates. Labour will put in place a mental health screening tool to better identify and make provision for mental disorders suffered by inmates. Labour will also develop appropriate staff training to ensure that the primary mental health needs of inmates are better catered for.
Other Rehabilitation Programmes

Labour will continue to develop programmes such as Kia Marama and Te Piriti which deal with child sex offenders, where New Zealand has achieved world-leading success in preventing reoffending. Labour will further expand other programmes such as Maori Focus Units and Faith Based Units which have achieved promising results, subject to full evaluation of their success.
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Community Corrections
With an increasing number of offenders being subject to supervision and control in the community, it is vital that adequate resourcing be made available so that Community Corrections have adequate staffing levels and levels of training. Labour will continue through the budget process to ensure that adequate resources are necessary to meet these needs. Labour will continue to ensure that Community Corrections is adequately resourced.
Privatisation
Labour believes that core public sector functions such as corrections, policing, customs and defence should continue to be carried out by the public sector. Labour opposes privatisation in corrections and sees Nationals proposals as the thin edge to the wedge to privatise key areas of public and social sector services. Labour opposes private prisons.
Prevention
In criminal offending, prevention is more effective than cure, both in terms of results achieved and costs in getting those results. While stronger policing and tougher laws have been necessary (and expensive), in the longer term prevention through programmes such as early intervention (Early Start, Project Early, Social Workers and Police in Schools etc) must be given greater resourcing. Such prevention programmes, rather than programmes like boot camps, which while attractive on a superficial political level have proven ineffective, must and will be given priority by the next Labour led Government. Labour will give priority to funding proven and effective programmes to tackle youth offending.
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A Well-Equipped Modern Defence Force
Labours policy for Defence
2008
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Introduction
A fundamental role of the state is to ensure the security and safety of New Zealand. At this point in the 21st Century, New Zealand is not directly threatened by any other country and is not likely to be involved in widespread armed conflict. However, today non-conventional threats such as terrorism and instability caused by failing states in our region pose new challenges for our defence force. Other functions such as protection of our borders against drug and people smuggling, surveillance over and protection of resources such as fisheries in our exclusive economic zone, disaster relief, search and rescue and civil defence are further roles for our Defence Force. Beyond border protection and protection of our territorial sovereignty, New Zealand has shared alliance commitments with Australia, responsibilities to our neighbours in the South Pacific and roles in promoting security and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond under mandates provided by, or with the agreement of the United Nations. To carry out these functions, New Zealand needs an effective, efficient, focused and sustainable defence force which has sufficient personnel and is equipped to undertake the tasks required of it. In 1999, Labour inherited a defence force whose personnel had been reduced by 24% in the 1990s, while defence spending had been slashed by 30%. All three services were using increasingly obsolete equipment. Our task has been to rebuild and modernise our Defence Force, resourcing it adequately while also ensuring the sustainability of its funding.
Framework for Defence and Foreign Policy

In order to protect New Zealands interests and values, and in fulfilment of its obligation to be a good international citizen, Labour is committed to New Zealand playing an active role in helping to build and keep the peace regionally and, where required, globally. New Zealand supports multilateralism as the best way to preserve international peace and security and endorses the principles of the United Nations Charter regarding the rule of law and observing human rights. As part of our comprehensive approach to security, we need to strengthen United Nations peacekeeping efforts, address the causes of conflict, work to reduce poverty, ensure good governance and human rights and support preventative diplomacy and confidence building measures.
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We accept that there will be times when we need to use force as a last resort to protect and promote our values and interests. For this reason the Defence Force needs to retain combat capabilities. Over the last nine years within the Defence Force, Labour has promoted: A joint approach to structure and operations by the three services A modernised and re-equipped army An enhanced navy fleet matched to New Zealands wider security needs A refocused and updated air force A funding commitment to provide financial certainty
Labour will continue to invest in a modern, well-staffed and wellequipped Defence Force capable of protecting New Zealands interests and participating in peacekeeping and security operations regionally and internationally Acknowledging the need for sustainability, Labours approach has been to focus on achieving excellence in priority areas rather than spreading defence resources thinly across the board. Labour will publish a new White Paper on Defence in 2009, coinciding with the mid-point review of the Defence Sustainability Initiative and the development of a new capital expenditure programme for the period from 2012 (when the current Long Term Development Plan ends). The White Paper will take account of the soon to be published Australian White Paper. It will update and build on the Labour-led Governments June 2000 Defence Policy Framework and the Governments May 2001 Defence Statement.
Defence Equipment
In the last decade, Labour has invested to meet key re-equipment needs to ensure that the New Zealand Defence Force has modern, and in many cases state of the art, equipment. To meet the capital costs of new equipment for the Defence Force, Labour has created a $3.3 billion Long Term Development Plan which runs for 10 years. To meet operating costs and to start re-growing personnel numbers in each of the three services, $4.6 billion has been set aside, also under a 10 year programme.
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Air Force
State of the art NH90 medium utility helicopters are replacing Vietnam War-era Iroquois. New Agusta-Westland A109 light utility helicopters will replace Korean War-era Sioux (total investment $911 million) Life extension upgrade for our C-130 Hercules fleet including overhaul of air frame and wiring systems, and new digital cockpit and self-protection system (total investment $255 million) Full upgrade of P3 Orion mission management communication and navigation systems (total investment $373 million) Purchase and modification of Boeing 757 aircraft for dual personnel and freight transport capability (total investment $218 million) Upgrading of Ohakea Air Base (total investment $148 million)
Navy
Project Protector acquisition of seven new ships (Inshore Patrol, Offshore Patrol and Multi-role Vessel) providing new capabilities for sealift, training and patrol (total investment $500 million) Midlife upgrade of frigates including close-in weapons system and platform upgrade (total investment $83 million)
Army
State of the art light armoured vehicles (LAV IIIs) replacing Vietnam War-era M113s (total investment $580 million) High performance light operational vehicles (Pinzgauers) replacing ageing Land Rovers (total investment $94 million) New javelin anti-tank missiles (total investment $24 million) New air defence system (total investment $14 million) New radio equipment (total investment $119 million) New special operations equipment (total investment $14 million) New night vision equipment for all three services (investment of $15 million initially, $100 million long term) Light weapons replacement and upgrading (estimated cost $36 million) Improvised explosive device bomb disposal capability (total investment $22 million) 111
Labour will continue the process of ensuring all three Services have modern and appropriate equipment. In the near future, priorities for re-equipment include the following: Completing of the upgrade of Ohakea Air Force Base Implementing a digitally-based command and control system for NZDF Undertaking an upgrade of the ANZAC frigates self-defence systems Modernising the New Zealand Defence Forces long range and medium range communication capabilities Providing a computerised Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance system able to exploit advances in data gathering systems Replacing the Armys general service vehicle fleet Replacing the torpedoes for the ANZAC frigates, P-3 Orions, and SH-2G Seasprite helicopters.
Personnel
Labour has increased numbers in the Defence Force by over 1,000 since 2005 under the $4.6 billion Defence Sustainability Initiative. Labour will continue with its goal of a twelve percent increase in overall New Zealand Defence Force personnel numbers over the period of the Defence Sustainability Initiative (2005/06-2014/15). We are already well on the way towards achieving this. This year the Military Remuneration Review has implemented changes to remuneration which will see wages increase by over 10 percent on average, with higher increases in areas where there are skill shortages. Labour will continue to regularly review and increase Defence Force remuneration to respond to recruitment and retention needs, implementing the Military Remuneration Review with the 10 per cent average wage increase taking effect progressively from 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009. Strong Proven Leadership 112
This will help address recruitment and retention problems which, as in the private sector, have emerged with a tight labour market and near full employment. Labour will work with the Territorial Forces Employer Support Council to strengthen the role of Territorial Forces, particularly in areas of skill shortages with the Regular Forces.
Operations
Under Labour, the Defence Force has successfully carried out deployments into operational areas overseas at a higher level than has been seen for decades. These include: Operating a Provincial Reconstruction Team in Bamyan since 2003 (current numbers 136), regarded by other international forces in Afghanistan as a model of its kind. Working with the Regional Assistance Mission in the Solomon Islands since 2003 (current numbers 44) to bring peace and stability there Renewed participation in the International Security Force in Timor Leste since 2000 (current numbers 174), with success in helping restore stability and security Special forces operations in Afghanistan up to 2006, earning the SAS a United States Presidential Citation Award and resulting in the award of the first New Zealand Victoria Cross since 1946 to Willie Apiata VC Operations in the Arabian Gulf involving New Zealand frigates Te Kaha and Te Mana, and an Air Force Orion Working in United Nations mandated or supported operations in 16 different countries around the world Labour will continue to provide support for international peacekeeping and security operations mandated or supported by the United Nations, within New Zealands capacity to contribute as a small country. We will acknowledge that while military intervention may be necessary to stabilise a situation, for the operation to successfully achieve its objectives there will need to be more wide-ranging intervention to deal with the causes of conflict or state failure. Labour will work to ensure a whole-of-government approach to help achieve and sustain security and stability in the areas where it deploys. Strong Proven Leadership 113
These actions could include building institutions of state and social services and dealing with underlying ethnic, tribal or religious tensions. Labour will work to ensure that wherever possible peacekeeping and security interventions follow a holistic approach in dealing with the causes of conflict. We will ensure these efforts are balanced in providing help that ensures development and good governance, and ensure efforts are made to achieve regional participation and co-operation in resolving conflict and that New Zealand works in partnership with the host country and the United Nations.
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Respect and Equality for all New Zealanders
Labours Policy for Disability Issues
2008
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Introduction
Labours vision is of a country where disabled people have meaningful partnerships with their communities, support agencies and government, based on respect and equality. Where disabled people are integrated into community life on their own terms, their abilities are valued, their diversity and interdependence recognised and their human rights protected. Achieving this vision will also involve recognising the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi. The New Zealand Disability Strategy sets out a long-term plan for changing New Zealand to an inclusive society where disabled people have a valued role and are able to make a contribution. Labours disability policy is the implementation of that vision and plan. The Disability Strategy states that Labours vision will be realised when people with impairments say they live in: A society that highly values our lives and continually enhances our full participation. We want to build a society that takes no account of the impairments other people have. Labours priority is to remove barriers and ensure the inclusion of the rights and needs of disabled people and their families into mainstream legislation, services and policies. The New Zealand Disability Strategy has withstood intense scrutiny since it was published in 2001. It continues to be relevant as the mechanism for advancing the participation of disabled people in all areas of daily life. In August 2008, a review of the implementation of the Strategy was published and it was pleasing to see a shift in attitude towards disability in New Zealand. The changes made across government agencies and wider society have ensured disability issues are fully considered.
Leadership to change social attitudes and public understanding of disability issues

The New Zealand Disability Strategy sets out objectives to ensure the rights of disabled people; fosters leadership by disabled people; and encourages and educates a non-disabling society. Labour believes that government has to lead the way to influence the attitudes and behaviour of society as a whole. Disabled people have acknowledged implementation of the New Zealand Disability Strategy is resulting in positive change. They feel they have greater empowerment, with improvements in communications and accessibility offering them a greater Strong Proven Leadership 117
voice. There is wider recognition of their value and contribution within their communities. They have also reported more inclusion within central governments decision-making processes. A number of things have helped enable implementation: the Disability Strategy itself, which is seen as still relevant by stakeholders; the establishment of a Ministerial portfolio with responsibility for disability issues and establishment of the Office for Disability Issues; involvement of and advocacy by disabled people and others; and the move to a social model of disability and a more rights-based approach. In September 2008, New Zealand ratified the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Convention is the first United Nations human rights treaty of the 21st century. It makes it explicit that nations must ensure the full realisation of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all disabled people on an equal basis with others and without discrimination of any kind. New Zealand was a leader in negotiations on the Convention. We modelled the spirit of participation with disabled people through consultation on the evolving Convention text, and involvement of disability sector representatives in our delegations to the United Nations. We won recognition of our progress in improving the lives of disabled people when New Zealand was awarded the prestigious Franklin Delano Roosevelt International Disability Award for 2007. This Award recognised the work done by Labour in government and the disability sector in developing and implementing the New Zealand Disability Strategy and in shaping and negotiating the intent of the United Nations Convention. However, disabled people still feel that improvement is too slow and that some are benefiting less than others. Labour acknowledges there is still a long way to go before all disabled people are living in a fully inclusive society that values them and enhances their participation. Labour will continue to work towards the realisation of the vision set out in the New Zealand Disability Strategy. We will review and respond to the 20 recommendations made by the recent review of the New Zealand Disability Strategy to improve its implementation. We will prioritise actions that are likely to have the greatest positive effect on the lives of disabled people and provide additional focus on those who are most disadvantaged. Labour is committed to a full review of progress after 10 years to allow comparison of the 2011 post-census disability survey data with the 2001 survey. This includes improving the regular supply of information that can be used to monitor changes in the lives of disabled people.
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Labour will also continue New Zealands international leadership on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. We will continue to work sideby-side with disabled people to ensure their experiences and ideas guide our actions, and we will facilitate greater partnership between central government agencies and disabled people. Labour will ensure implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Offering support so disabled people have the same choices, opportunities and responsibilities as all New Zealanders
The New Zealand Disability Strategy sets out the goal of creating long-term support systems centred on the individual. Increasing the level and flexibility of support services for disabled people has been a major focus of Labour in government. In particular we have sought to improve equity between ACC and non-ACC clients and the services they receive. We have increased access to support services for people with chronic health conditions. They will now receive long-term support services as part of an integrated package of health services from their District Health Board. Labour believes disabled people should be able to make the same choices about their living arrangements as other New Zealanders. We have supported Independent Living, which has allowed many disabled people to move out of the family home and into flatting arrangements. Disabled people now have greater and fairer access to equipment (such as wheelchairs) and to modifications of vehicles and houses. We have made home-based support services more adaptable and more focused on outcomes, allowing greater flexibility over where and when these services are provided. Ten years ago . . . there were still at least nine institutions operating in New Zealand where people with psychiatric or intellectual disabilities lived their entire lives. These New Zealanders did not participate in the community, work, or undertake meaningful education. Today . . . there are no such institutions left in New Zealand. Ten years from now . . . disabled people will be supported to make the same choices about their living arrangements as other New Zealanders. Labour has sought to change the way in which New Zealand thinks about the provision of disability support. We have explored ways to develop flexible approaches that can offer clients greater choice and control over their lives. We have Strong Proven Leadership 119
introduced individualised funding, which enables some disabled people to administer their own support budgets. Labour will continue its commitment to the removal of inequity of support between disabled people. We will continue to implement the directions recommended by the Review of Long-term Disability Supports to: Improve the focus on outcomes and measurement Enhance consumer choice and service flexibility Build capability Improve co-ordination and contracting
To improve the flexibility of disability support, the Review recommended more agency discretion in the use of resources, particularly in assessing need for low-cost supports, more use of direct funding to clients and developing plans for enhanced early support services for families with disabled children. Labour will move the Needs Assessment Service Coordination process to a strengths based approach, built on the Local Area Co-ordination model from Western Australia. Labour will increase use of tailored funding options that co-ordinate the most appropriate local responses to the needs of disabled people. We will look at international best practice, value for money and effectiveness as measured by disabled people and their families with a view to shifting the balance and main priority of the system from assessment of need to more comprehensive assessment. We will ensure a funding and monitoring relationship with community organisations, based on an agreement of principles, trust and outcomes. We will continue to support and develop the disability workforce, particularly for home-based and residential support. Labour will implement the recommendations of the National Advisory Committee on Health and Disability research document To Have an Ordinary Life to address the barriers New Zealand adults with an intellectual disability face in trying to participate in society. This report was based on direct dialogue with adults with an intellectual disability. These New Zealanders are a diverse group, with a wide range of skills and abilities and ordinary goals and aspirations. In order to achieve their goals, they need support to minimise the barriers created by their impairment. Strong Proven Leadership 120
The report identified three priorities for action. Firstly, re-focusing needs assessment, service co-ordination and service purchasing. Needs assessment requires a re-focus and up-skilling of staff and emphasis on strategic planning for life with the disabled person and their family and whnau. The concept of service co-ordination needs to shift from allocating people to a limited range of services to a focus on services designed to meet individuals changing needs. Secondly, we need to movie away from the custodial ownership model of service delivery and thirdly, address the neglect of basic health needs of many adults with an intellectual disability. In line with these recommendations, Labour will continue to place more emphasis on strategic and comprehensive planning for life with the disabled person and their family. Labour will ensure that a wide range of health services are accessible to those with physical disabilities and accommodate the communication needs of people with a disability or sensory loss. Labour has invested in primary healthcare throughout New Zealand and we want to ensure that all adults have full access to services such as primary healthcare and dental care. We are aware that disabled people can be disadvantaged in navigating the system and knowing how to access services and support. Labour will identify and resolve barriers to health service delivery for disabled people. Disabled people often face difficulties in accessing health care without support, and often need to rely on others to help them access health services. There is anecdotal evidence that disabled people face discrimination in access to secondary and tertiary care, and that even when health care is sought, communication problems can make diagnosis and treatment difficult. Labour will work to remove these barriers by improving health professionals understanding of disabled people and helping ensure that people with intellectual disabilities visit their primary carer more often. Labour will provide free annual health checks for intellectually disabled people with high support needs. New Zealanders with intellectual disabilities often have medical conditions that are easily treatable or curable, but do not receive appropriate treatment because of the barriers they face in accessing care. Labour will provide free annual checks for people with intellectual disabilities to ensure that medical conditions are diagnosed early and treated as soon as possible. Labour will ensure quality care for disabled people through appropriate education and training for those caring for people with disabilities.
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It is important that the people providing care for disabled New Zealanders have the appropriate knowledge and training. We will work to expand education and training to caregivers to ensure the highest standard of care. Labour will review the funding mechanisms for disability services to ensure that barriers to adequate provision of carer support and respite care are removed, including investigating changes to funding of close relatives as respite carers. Labour wants everyone to have the same choices, opportunities and responsibilities around their living arrangements, such as where they live and who they live with. Most New Zealanders grow up and move out of their parents home. Labour believes that disabled adults should also have the choice to move out of the parental home and be supported in their chosen accommodation arrangements. Labour will ensure that contracting arrangements clearly define and separate the landlord and support service provider role. We will ensure that adults with an intellectual disability have tenancy protection and access to their benefit and housing entitlements.
Supporting quality living in the community

The New Zealand Disability Strategy sets out a vision of a fully-inclusive society that enhances participation for disabled people. Labour is determined to support quality living in the community for disabled people. This includes increasing opportunities for disabled people to live in the community and access to comfortable, appropriately-modified housing. Housing New Zealand Corporation has taken steps to ensure their housing stock is suited to the needs of disabled tenants. In 2005, the Corporation launched a Strategy which included specific actions on improving housing choices for disabled New Zealanders. The revised Building Act 2004 increased the promotion of modified homes accessible by disabled people, and building regulations added listening devices for the hearingimpaired to the schedule of requirements for cinemas, theatres, public halls, and old people's homes (with more than 20 residents). The Act also introduced the need for the Office for Disability Issues to be consulted by the Department of Building and Housing when dealing with complaints about a public building's accessibility. Last year a comprehensive review of the Building Code was undertaken and issues regarding accessibility were a particular area of consultation. Strong Proven Leadership 122
Supporting quality living in the community also means making sure that disabled people can access transport that meets nationally-consistent accessibility standards. Labour believes that having accessible public transport is crucial to enabling full participation in communities by disabled people. The Land Transport Rule, Passenger Service Vehicles Amendment 2007, came into force on June 2007. It introduced a new joint Australian and New Zealand standard for the design and construction of wheelchair hoists, ramps, and occupant restraints, and the attachment of hoists and ramps to passenger service vehicles. This change means new vehicles operating as passenger service vehicles will have equipment to assist people with a vision and hearing impairment.
Housing
Labour will continue to work towards ensuring supply of accessible homes. This includes continuing to review the building code and considering further requirements on those constructing new homes and apartments. We will place a particular emphasis on the accessibility of new and existing state and social housing. We will continue to support and fund voluntary agencies providing housing for disabled people. Labour will encourage, where reasonably possible, the design and construction of residences to ensure that a higher proportion of the housing stock is suitable to meet the needs of people of all abilities.
Transport
Labour will help break down barriers that unfairly prevent disabled people from going to work, school and enjoying community activities. Labour will implement the recommendations of the Human Rights Commission report The Accessible Journey. This includes: The mandatory participation of disabled people in all public land transport planning, funding and implementation. The establishment of a national Ministerial Advisory Committee of disabled people to advise the Minister of Transport. The development of mandatory National Accessibility Design Performance Standards and a time for implementation. Industry-wide mandatory training in disability awareness and disability competency. 123
The Total Mobility Scheme provides subsidies taxi services to people with serious mobility constraints and funding assistance for the purchase and installation of wheelchair hoists in taxi vans. Labour will continue to implement the recommendations from the review of the Total Mobility Scheme. The review showed that because there are significant regional variations in the way the Scheme is being operated, inequalities have arisen regarding eligibility and entitlement. Other concerns raised relate to the Scheme being restricted to areas with access to buses, trains and ferries, along with issues relating to administration and transport providers. Labour will identify options to improve the adequacy, consistency, portability, sustainability, and coverage of the Scheme.
Supporting disabled people into appropriate paid work and training

The New Zealand Disability Strategy sets out the objective of providing opportunities in employment for disabled people. This will be achieved through planning and training for those entering employment, and the development of employment options that recognise the diverse needs of disabled people. We know that most people want to work, and we believe that with the right support, everyone can. Labour has listened to the concerns of disabled people who are looking for work or are keen to participate in their communities in other ways. Last year we made a range of changes to ensure that Work and Income can better support their clients. Next year we will make further changes to ensure services are focused on individual needs and circumstances, including phasing out the old stereotype labels such as "invalid". One major step is the implementation of Labours policy for vocational services, set out in the 2001 Pathways to Inclusion strategy. This strategy aimed to increase the participation of disabled people in employment and to increase the participation of disabled people in their communities. In 2007, the repeal of the Disabled Persons Employment Promotion Act abolished outdated concepts about the ability, potential and rights of disabled people, concepts which are no longer appropriate or acceptable. The Act conflicted with Labours aim of ensuring that disabled people have the same employment conditions, rights and entitlements as everyone else, including minimum wage provisions for work of comparable productivity and access to statutory holidays.
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Ten years ago . . . the Disabled Persons Employment Promotion Act allowed sheltered workshop providers to have exemptions from the Minimum Wage Act 1983 and the Holidays Act 2003. Today . . . disabled people employed in sheltered workshops have the same employment conditions, rights and entitlements as everyone else. Between 2001 and 2008, the number of disabled people using vocational services who have gained or retained employment has increased from approximately 1200 to over 11500 Ten years from now . . . disabled people will be supported to engage in employment that is fulfilling and meaningful. An evaluation of the Pathways to Inclusion policy has just been released showing that more people are making use of community participation and employment services. Also, more people are in employment, with more participants either moving off a benefit or more people declaring earnings while remaining on benefit. It is clear the sector has come a long way since 2001 and this policy has had a significantly positive effect on the lives of disabled New Zealanders. Labour will continue to focus on increasing the proportion of disabled people who are able to participate in paid work. We will review the implementation of Pathways to Inclusion to ensure better support for those who are able to move into paid employment and ensure the community participation model is delivered. This will include: Employer education and networking Maintaining an appropriate levels and flexibility of job support funds Funding supported employment services at an appropriate level Increased transition support and services for disabled students Supporting business enterprises to help people into paid work
Supporting disabled people to participate and achieve in employment means providing equal access to the best training and education. Tertiary education enhances peoples lives by contributing to their general knowledge and understanding, increasing their incomes and standard of living and widening their experience and interests. These benefits need to be available to all New Zealanders. Kia Orite; Achieving Equality, the New Zealand Code of Practice for an Inclusive Tertiary Education Environment for Students with Impairments, sets out the steps to help tertiary providers make this possible. Labour will ensure the implementation of Kia Orite: Achieving Equality, including specific targets and subsequent plans. Strong Proven Leadership 125
Labour will provide the support and services for disabled people to participate in employment. We will also work towards a core benefit to ensure that individuals receive support and services from Work and Income based on their individual need, not their benefit category.
Support for disabled children and young people

The New Zealand Disability Strategy sets out the goal of enabling children and youth to lead full and active lives, in conditions that prepare them for adulthood. Labour is committed to incorporating the rights and needs of disabled children and their families into mainstream legislation and policies. Families with young disabled children need early identification, planning and to be included in mainstream universal and targeted services. We have worked to ensure that all children and their families are able to access programmes aimed at giving children the best start in life. This includes parenting information and home visiting programmes. Our approach has recognised that the needs of other family members (to maintain ordinary lives, to parent all their children effectively, to maintain employment, and to remain hopeful), are as important as the direct disability support needs of disabled children. Ten years ago about 74% of disabled children attended mainstream classes; 16% attended a combination of mainstream classes and a special unit (2001). Today 85% of disabled children are included in mainstream classes full-time, and 9% attend both mainstream classes and a special unit. Only 2% do not participate in the mainstream (2006). Ten years from now disabled children will be supported to participate, learn and achieve in the education setting chosen by the child and their family. No child will be denied access to their local, regular school because of impairment. Labour believes that families should, wherever possible, care for their children and be supported in doing so. We want to ensure that out-of-home placements are only used as a last resort. This means the support provided to children and their families needs to be appropriate, timely and effective. Labour will consider, and implement where recommendations of the Best of Care? review. appropriate, the
The Best of Care? review examined policy, legislation and operational practice related to children and young disabled people and their families who are involved with Child, Youth and Family and the Disability Services Directorate. This report is an analysis of the issues surrounding out-of-home placement of disabled children. It Strong Proven Leadership 126
highlights some critical issues that are limiting effective support for disabled children and their families. Labour wants to provide all children with a safe and supportive home environment. Providing a safe and supportive home for disabled children may require additional resources. We are committed to clarifying the funding responsibilities of agencies, strengthening processes within and between agencies, and improving access to services. Our desire to strengthen processes between agencies includes the way in which agencies share information about the needs and assessment of children in their care. Health and education assessments for children and young people in care are currently being trialled in four regions of New Zealand. These assessments will explore ways of ensuring that assessment is made at an early stage, and that information is passed between relevant agencies to ensure appropriate supports are put in place. Labour will roll out health and education assessments to other regions if existing trials show the process to be successful. Labour will offer better support for parents by developing early intervention and family support through the Well Child framework. Labour is clear that the needs of the education system for the 21st century are different from the education system of last century. Education today is about providing opportunities for every child to participate, learn and achieve. Personalising learning is a way of describing this renewed focus on quality teaching and learning tailored to the needs of every student. Labour will ensure all disabled children are welcome, included and learning to their full potential in their local regular school. We will increase teacher professional development support to ensure all teachers have the skills and confidence to teach every individual child. This will include support for school leadership programmes to help teachers work towards a truly inclusive school community.
Support for the families and carers of disabled people

The New Zealand Disability Strategy sets out the objectives of valuing families, whanau and people who provide ongoing support to people with a disability. Labour wants to acknowledge and support family, whanau and all those who support disabled people. In April this year we launched the New Zealand Carers Strategy and Five-Year Action Plan. This Strategy broke new ground as a joint initiative between the government and the New Zealand Carers Alliance, a network of over 40 nongovernment organisations. The Carers Strategy addresses issues that affect the Strong Proven Leadership 127
thousands of New Zealanders assisting friends and family members who need help with everyday living due to ill health, disability or old age. The Carers Strategy is part of Labours wider strategy to improve the choices of parents and other informal carers so they can better balance paid work with caring responsibilities and other aspects of their lives. Labour will continue to support and implement the Carers Strategy. The five objectives of the Carers Strategy are to: Provide information Protect the health and wellbeing of carers Enable carers to take a break Provide financial support for carers Provide training and pathways to employment for carers
The Action Plan will help deliver our vision for carers over the next five years so their roles are better recognised and valued. It will offer carers more choices and a stronger voice on issues that affect them. Labour will review the funding mechanisms for disability services to ensure that barriers to adequate provision of carer support and respite care are removed, including investigating changes to funding of close relatives as respite carers. Labour also recognises that disabled parents face additional challenges in providing good parenting for their children. Labour will support disabled parents to ensure that their children get the best start in life.
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A Good Start for All
Labours policy for Early Childhood Education
2008
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Introduction
Labour has always believed in the power of education to transform lives. Universal access to free, quality, public education is a core Labour value. We know that quality early childhood education (ECE) lays the foundation for childrens later learning, developing cognitive skills, self-esteem and reinforcing social and cultural values. Investing in the quality of ECE and improving participation has been a major focus for Labour. Our annual investment in early childhood education has more than tripled since 1999, from $276 million to over $1 billion today.
Expanding Quality Free Early Childhood Education

One year on from the launch of Labours 20 Hours Free Early Childhood Education policy, almost 90,000 3- and 4-year-olds are now benefiting from the scheme, or nearly 90 per cent of eligible children. Labour wants to see all young children enrolled in early childhood services because we know they provide a strong foundation for success later in life and the best chance for everyone to reach their full potential. Labour will retain the right of all 3 and 4-year-olds to 20 Free Hours early childhood education at a teacher-led service and allow centres to offer free hours for longer each day. More than half of eligible Kohanga Reo (55 per cent) are already part of the 20 Free Hours scheme. Labour wants to see more Kohanga joining, to ensure that kaiako/teachers have the opportunity to grow and develop in their profession. Labour will support more Kohanga Reo to offer 20 Free Hours by encouraging the professional development of Te Kohanga Reo teachers. Volunteer-led early childhood providers such as Playcentre face different cost pressures to kindergartens and other teacher-led services where the major cost is salaries. An evaluation of the impact of 20 Hours Free on the early childhood sector reveals that factors such as the availability of parent volunteers and a lack of administrative support are making it difficult for parent-led centres to grow. Labour will work with parent-led early childhood providers like Playcentres to explore how they can be supported to offer free early childhood education. Strong Proven Leadership 131
Meeting the Demand for Early Childhood Education

A predicted mini-population boom, particularly in South Auckland, will place a strain on the capacity of the early childhood sector, particularly in combination with making 20 Hours Free available to all 3 and 4-year-olds. Over $100 million has been invested in the community-based early childhood education sector during this decade, creating an additional 6,000 places. Population projections suggest an additional 19,000 places will be needed by 2011 if we are to realise our vision of all children participating in ECE for at least 20 hours per week before they enrol at school. Planning for our growing population will be important if we are to ensure there are sufficient places in ECE in all communities. Labour will develop a nationwide plan to ensure there are sufficient early childhood education places in areas with low participation and/or growing numbers of children. This will include expanding the Discretionary Grants Scheme to assist with the establishment and expansion of community based services. The Ministry of Education actively plans for new schools using population projections and local authority planning data. This ensures that potential school sites are identified early and purchased for future requirements. Building communitybased ECE centres on new school sites makes good sense where there is a lack of places in the local community. Labour will ensure that when planning any new state schools, consideration is given to including a community-based early childhood centre on the site. Local authority designation processes can make it difficult to establish new early childhood centres, even when they are located adjacent to schools. Labour will look at resource management processes surrounding the establishment of new centres to ensure Early Childhood Education centres are treated on an equivalent basis to other education providers.
A Quality Teaching Profession

The drive to professionalise the ECE workforce is a major stream of Nga Huarahi Arataki, Pathways to the Future, the ten-year strategic plan for early childhood education. Research tells us that the quality of early childhood education is Strong Proven Leadership 132
determined by the ratio of trained adults to children, group size and the qualification levels of teachers. In order to qualify for full funding, 50 per cent of staff in ECE services are currently required to be trained teachers. Labour believes a fully-professional workforce in ECE is an important and achievable goal. Labour will continue towards 100 percent of all staff in teacher-led services being qualified with an early childhood qualification recognised by the Teachers Council by the end of 2012. Growing numbers of children in ECE means the need for trained staff will also increase. Labour will extend the scholarship scheme for early childhood teacher trainees. Research into effective teaching practice will help to inform on-going teacher professional development and ensure the sharing of best practice. Labour will support Centres of Innovation to carry out research into teaching and learning to strengthen effective practice in early childhood education.
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For Today and Tomorrow
Labours Policy for the Economy
2008
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Introduction
The Labour Party has always stood for promoting economic growth which delivers a fair share of that growth to all New Zealanders. When Labour became the Government at the end of 1999 the New Zealand economy faced many structural problems which had not been addressed, or had even been made worse, by the free market reforms of the previous fifteen years. Inequality had increased significantly. The benefit cuts of the early 1990s and the anti-worker Employment Contracts Act has made the natural tendencies of a freemarket economy worse. Infrastructure investment had been all but ignored and as a percentage of national income was running at the lowest levels seen in many decades. There was no integrated skills policy, merely an increasing transfer of costs to students accompanied by a proliferation of low-value courses unrelated to New Zealands strategic needs. New Zealands capital markets were weak and growing weaker. A major element of this was a very low level of private savings. No government agency was tasked with the promotion of economic development. Regional development, in particular, was seen as a dirty term. State assets had been sold and their private owners had failed and were failing to invest at a sufficient level to underpin longer term growth. Public transport systems were run down and steadily declining in relative usage. There was very little government support for private sector research and development. On the international front, the Closer Economic Relationship agreement had, at best, been in a holding pattern for 10 years. The previous National government had failed to sign any new significant trade agreements initiated by New Zealand. By 2008 this picture of malign neglect has been changed in all its essentials. New Zealand is a more equal society than it was in 1999. The primary reason for this has been the large growth in the number of jobs over 350,000 which has been the main contributor to household incomes rising more than 25 per cent on average in real terms. Fairer industrial relations law the Employment Relations Act and the Working for Families package have also been significant contributions. Strong Proven Leadership 137
Government spending on infrastructure is now nearly three times what it was in 1999. New Zealand is engaged in its biggest road building and upgrading programme in decades. Regulatory changes are forcing a higher level of investment by the private sector telecommunications companies. Labour has bought back first the rail track and then the rail operating company so as to ensure that investment can be increased and freight moved off the roads while the full value of that investment is retained in New Zealand. Skills policy has been moved to the forefront of economic policy. From early childhood to the tertiary sector the education system has been revamped. Twenty hours free early childhood education, successful new literacy and numeracy programmes in primary schools, and the introduction of NCEA in secondary schools will produce a much stronger base of skills. The new emphasis on quality and relevance in the tertiary system is underpinned by the new funding model. Finally, an integrated skills strategy, supported by and prepared with the CTU and Business New Zealand, is being rolled out. Capped fees and interest-free student loans have removed many of the financial barriers to participation in tertiary education. The creation of the Ministry of Economic Development and Trade and Enterprise New Zealand means that the government has both the policy and delivery mechanisms to put economic growth at the forefront of government actions. The Labour government has put in place major changes to lift our national savings levels. The New Zealand Superannuation Fund is building up assets to help pay for New Zealand Superannuation over the long term. And now KiwiSaver is helping some 800,000 New Zealanders to add to their New Zealand Superannuation income in retirement. At the same time, taxes on savings have been cut. The base is being built for stronger capital markets and reducing our dangerous level of dependence on overseas investment to fund our economic growth. Labour has increased spending on public transport fifteen-fold. Major upgrades to the urban rail systems in Auckland and Wellington are underway. Direct public spending on research and development has continued to rise and a 15% research and development tax credit introduced for the private sector which should see a substantial boost to private sector research and development. Labour in government has overseen a transformation of our telecommunications sector with the introduction of greater competition at all levels, a development that is critical to raising our potential or 'non inflationary' growth rate further over time.
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Labour has also introduced tax cuts that are responsible and fair to workers. We focused on the lowest rate so all New Zealanders benefit. Labour will do the right thing for workers, families, and the economy. Labours personal tax plan will result in: A new low tax rate of 12.5 per cent A lifting of the 21 per cent threshold by $10,500 to $20,000 A lifting of the 33 per cent threshold by $4,500 to $42,500 A lifting of the 39 per cent threshold by $20,000 to $80,000 And advancing boosts to working for families from 1 October 2008
By April 2011, we will deliver $50 a week or more to around 50 per cent of all households. A Kiwi family on the average household income of $72,000 split two thirds/one third between two parents with two children at primary school is almost $43 a week better off from 1 October this year thats equivalent to a 3.6 per cent increase in take home pay. By full implementation of the tax package in 2011, that Kiwi family is almost $85 a week better off the equivalent to a 7.5 per cent increase in their take home pay. Labour is committed to keeping the company tax rate at a fair, competitive level. This year we reduced the company tax rate from 33 to 30 cents so that businesses could re-invest their profits in new technologies, becoming sustainable and in investing and training for workers. Now is the time to take the next steps on New Zealands journey to greater prosperity and greater fairness. The agenda for the next decade or more will be driven by two concepts: sustainability and productivity. Only Labour is committed to both these concepts and to ensuring a fair share of the fruits of growth for all. What unites sustainability and productivity is the more efficient use of resources so as to produce more with less, a higher standard of living without destroying our environment or exploiting the workforce. Labours goal is to lift New Zealand into the top half of the OECD in terms of per capita GDP. It is also to ensure New Zealand is at least in the top half of the OECD in terms of social and environmental measures. Strong Proven Leadership 139
A Sustainable Economy
A sustainable economy will be built on the following policy foundations: Implementation of an effective emissions trading scheme; Labour will phase in an all gases, all sectors emissions trading scheme. This will create a price for carbon in the New Zealand economy which will, over time, enable us to meet our international obligations. At risk industries will be assisted to adapt and change while specific measures will be taken to assist consumers. Accelerating the switch to renewable energy sources; Labour has set a clear goal of 90% of electricity being renewably produced by 2025. Labour will also encourage the early adopting of new vehicle technologies with vehicle emissions to be reduced by half by 2040. Increased energy efficiency; Labour supports substantially boosting funding for energy efficiency projects. This will include accelerated retrofitting of homes, expansion of solar water-heating, and other measures to improve energy efficiency in homes and businesses. Better integration of rail, road, and coastal sea transport; Significant opportunities exist for major intermodal shifts of freight from road to rail and sea. Labour supports undertaking a major programme of new investment in KiwiRail and will develop mechanisms to support coastal transport and achieve better integration of our ports system. Waste reduction; Under Labour parliament has passed new waste reduction legislation. This now needs to be effectively implemented and further work done to reduce our large waste streams. Intensified research and development on sustainability; Labour has set up the Fast Forward Fund. This will grow to a $2 billion fund to support research and development in the primary sector industries, with a particular emphasis on sustainability. Labour will also give greater emphasis to sustainability in the criteria used by other state supported research funds. Non-environmentally constrained business promotion; Labour sees significant opportunities for developing businesses which are not constrained by New Zealands size, or distance and which are less environmentally constrained. Such areas as biotechnology, information and communications technology, design, and screen productions are particularly attractive in that respect. New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and other government agencies will be resourced to continue progressing these important areas of work. Strong Proven Leadership 140
There may be further areas of focus, where the potential of emerging or re-emerging sectors has reached a point where they are ripe for acceleration (e.g. new materials technologies, new renewable energy technologies and some health technologies).
Productivity
A successful sustainability agenda implemented effectively should assist productivity. The main elements of increasing productivity are skills and infrastructure.
Skills
Human capital is the main input in a modern economy. To build on the major work already undertaken: Labour will develop and implement the Schools Plus programme. Labour set out a big vision for the future of secondary education to improve young New Zealanders chances of success. Under Schools Plus, we want our schools to be able to respond to the full range of abilities of our teenagers and to make education relevant and personal to all our young people. By 2011 we will have youth apprenticeships available in every high school in New Zealand for students from Year 9 onwards. From 2011, every student from Year 9 on will have their personal education plan agreed between them, their school and their family. From 2011 there will be an education or training leaving age of seventeen, and from 2014 of eighteen. Not all those students will be in school but they will still be learning in work or in training. This will provide a varied and attractive set of pathways for teenagers to move from school to work or further education. Labour will resource and implement the New Zealand Skills Strategy so as to equip all our people with the skills necessary for full participation in a modern economy. Labour believes that New Zealand must take a more strategic approach to skills development, both in terms of enabling more of our young people to be in a position to access it, and through improving the skills of people already in the workforce.
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With industry and unions, we have developed a unified skills strategy to lift the skill base of the existing workforce, and therefore their contribution to New Zealands productivity. The New Zealand Skills Strategy will not only lift skills levels across the workforce, but will also equip our workers with better management and leadership skills. This will ensure that firms can better harness the skills young people learn through industry training and modern apprenticeships. We will fully implement all components of the skills strategy. This includes language, literacy and numeracy; improved management and leadership capability in organisations, awareness raising, skills plans and streamlining the governments firm capability programmes with those in the private sector. Labour will ensure that polytechnics give priority to their task of assessing employment needs and facilitation of regional tertiary education sector responses, and are supported to carry this out. Over the last three years, Labour has significantly reformed tertiary education to improve the sector's ability to deliver on government priorities, and meet the education and training needs of students, employers and communities on a regional as well as national basis. We need to build on this further. All New Zealanders must have the opportunity to reach their full potential and have the chance to fill the skilled job slots available in the economy. In the near term, the prospect of fall out from the international crisis also requires us to have new plans for workers whose jobs might be affected. Labour will introduce a new retraining allowance, on the same basis as a student allowance, but with no spousal income test, for workers who have been in the workforce for at least five years and have been made redundant. In the modern world, skills are increasingly important, both for individuals and for the economy as a whole. Careers are also becoming more complex with people more likely to change jobs and even occupations over the course of their working life. That will often require a period of retraining. In other words, learning is now lifelong. It is not something that stops when we leave school or finish an apprenticeship. Labour recognises this and is putting in place measures to support workers to gain new skills throughout their working lives. Labour will also introduce a retraining allowance available to those who have been in the workforce for ten years and wish to upgrade their skills or retrain in a new area. Strong Proven Leadership 142
This will provide an alternative to the Student Allowance for people who have used their 200 weeks Student Allowance entitlement. These allowances will be available for up to a year for enrolment in a recognised full time course. The course will generally need to be of at least twelve full-time weeks duration. The Unemployment Benefit (in training) is already available for courses of up to twelve weeks. Labour will outline further measures to support workers in changing times in our other policies. Labour will strengthen programmes to attract overseas New Zealanders to return to work in New Zealand. Expatriate New Zealanders can be viewed as another part of the pool of talent that New Zealand can draw on to fill labour market gaps. The movement of skilled migrants between countries is now a global norm, with comparable countries such as Australia experiencing similar trends to us. We do not want to discourage young New Zealanders from doing their traditional OE, or overseas work experience, because these people generally return to New Zealand with valuable work and life experience. However it is important that we maintain contact with skilled New Zealanders overseas so that we can continue to promote their eventual return home. Like the rest of the world, New Zealands population has become increasingly multicultural during the last decade, and that has had an overall positive impact on our economy, society and families. Migrants enhance our economy by reminding us to think and act globally. They drive innovation, give our businesses international connections and provide a range of skills to transform our economic landscape. With record low unemployment rates, we have adapted our immigration policies to help meet labour shortages and ensure New Zealand has people with the skills we might otherwise be lacking. Over the past five years, migrants have accounted for 60 percent of the growth in the national workforce. Much of that growth has occurred in skill shortage areas areas that are vital to the basic functioning and future growth of our economy. New Zealand has benefited from consistently positive net migration over the past seven years. However the global immigration environment is changing and becoming increasingly competitive in terms of skilled migrants. We must change with it so that we maintain our international competitive advantages and continue to attract the migrants with the skills New Zealand needs for our economic growth. Labour will continue to emphasise the attractions of skilled migrants as the main element of our immigration policy. Strong Proven Leadership 143
We will also examine mechanisms to assist in moving good business management into world-class business management, so that our most promising business people are given the support needed to become the best. This will be done in partnership with Business New Zealand.
Infrastructure
Labour is committed to strong investment in essential infrastructure. The overall picture of this decade is one of significant rebuilding and unprecedented levels of investment. We expect to invest $5.4 billion in physical infrastructure this year, a 180 per cent increase since 1999. Annual funding for roading has more than doubled to over $1.9 billion this year. This has seen new highways and motorway extensions built throughout New Zealand, including the Wellington Inner City Bypass and the Auckland Central Motorway Junction. We believe that having undergone a major rebuilding of our nation with record investments in hospitals, schools, roads and other infrastructure we have a once in a generation opportunity to chart an ambitious course for New Zealand. Labour will maintain a twenty year plan for sustainable infrastructure development in New Zealand. Specifically, within that 20 year plan, Labour will: Set a 90% renewable electricity generation target. Work with local government on measures to address priority infrastructure needs at the local level Put in place comprehensive plans to lift New Zealands water quality and ensure that our water usage is consistent with long term sustainability objectives.
Labour will keep New Zealands rail in public hands. We believe that with our rail system back in public ownership, we can make the strategic decisions and investments necessary for rail to play its full part in building a more sustainable New Zealand. Over time, we will be able to move more freight off our roads and onto rail. Rail will also play a bigger role in public transport in our major centres. Labour will invest $1 billion or more in the next ten years in modernising KiwiRail as our economy confronts the sustainability challenge. Labour will support the creation of an electrified rail network for Auckland, including the North Shore and beyond. In terms of expanding our tools for future growth Labour is committed to improving New Zealand broadband. Over the next five years we will invest half a billion dollars into broadband, as part of our ten year plan for a fast broadband future. We will use Strong Proven Leadership 144
this funding to accelerate broadband investment and high speed rollouts to businesses, local authorities, universities, schools and hospitals in urban centres. It will also be used to extend broadband into under-served regions, particularly in rural New Zealand. Labour will lift the New Zealand telecommunications system into the top ten in the world. Labours much-increased level of spending on infrastructure needs to be maintained until the nation has fully undone the damage caused to its productive capacity through under-investment during the wasted decade of the 1990s. Labour will broaden the funding options for infrastructure development in two main ways: Labour will issue long-term infrastructure bonds which have a tax-free inflation-indexed element. Infrastructure Bonds are specifically linked to long-term investment in infrastructure, to make the link clearer between revenue and investment. Issuing Infrastructure Bonds allows us to accelerate our efforts to make vital transport improvements for the long-term benefit of New Zealand Labour will support the rational use of public/private partnerships for large scale infrastructure developments where these can deliver more effective solutions for communities at lower cost to ratepayers and taxpayers. Labour changed the law to allow for public/private partnerships and will continue to explore opportunities in this regard on a case by case basis.
Macroeconomic Environment
A sustainable economy requires a supportive macroeconomic environment. Labour will work in conjunction with the Treasury and the Reserve Bank to promote best international practice coordination between fiscal and monetary policy implementation in order to best protect the tradeable sector from undue volatility in interest and exchange rates. Labour recognises that in the current circumstances the government will be running a significant deficit in the short term, but is committed, over the longer term, to a level of Crown debt that will allow us to manage known future fiscal demands (such as those arising out of population ageing). New initiatives which Labour will announce prior to the election will be funded within currently projected fiscal allowances. New departmental initiatives will, in the first instance, be paid for out of baselines. Strong Proven Leadership 145
Labour will not respond to a more difficult fiscal environment by cutting back on public services to New Zealanders, as our opponents would do. We remain committed to strong, properly resourced and effective public services. We will, however, strictly prioritise spending over the next three-tear term, and will ensure that, spending which contributes most to economic and social development is given the highest priority. Improving the investment environment is a key part of Labour's economic transformation strategy. To deliver wealth and jobs, New Zealand firms need ready access to affordable capital. New Zealand's capital markets have improved over recent years, boosted by the over 800,000 people who have joined KiwiSaver, the business tax package and the changes to the Portfolio Investment Entity regime. But to strengthen this position we must continue to develop the breadth and depth of our capital markets. Labour will further develop financial markets to address issues of small capital markets and other problems. We have already established an industry-led taskforce to producing a blueprint and action plan to develop New Zealand's capital markets. The Capital Market Development Taskforce is looking at the current state of our capital markets, the international context, future risks and opportunities and key changes necessary to deliver the best possible financial system for New Zealand. It will report in mid-2009. Labour will deepen venture capital and equity markets through a fund of funds in venture capital a joint public/private sector foundation for independent research on equities. Labour will maintain the effectiveness of recent changes to the tax system in improving New Zealands savings and investment levels and is committed to progressing its international tax reform agenda to strength the competitiveness of New Zealand-based firms. Labour will consult with the Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation and KiwiSaver Providers on what changes to current settings would most facilitate increased investment in New Zealand by their funds.
International Connections
Increasing New Zealand international connections is central to economic success. For this reason we are setting out a formal target. Strong Proven Leadership 146
Labour will work with exporters to lift exports to 40 per cent of GDP by 2020 and to 50 per cent by 2030. Our record in trade is strong. Labour has breathed new life into the CER agreement with Australia. This is being transformed into a single economic market agreement with a number of steps already taken. A free trade agreement with China has been signed: the first for a developed country. A regional free trade agreement with Singapore, Brunei, and Chile has been signed and the United States has announced it is seeking comprehensive negotiations to become part of this. Free trade negotiations are underway or being prepared bilaterally with Japan, India, and South Korea and regionally in the Asia-Pacific area. Labour will continue to support multilateral negotiations through the World Trade Organisation as its highest priority and we will continue to negotiate links with rapidly growing economies such as India, South Korea and the ASEAN nations as well as with established developed country trading partners, particularly the United States and Japan. However there is more to do. To support our ambitious target, Labour will: Strengthen Trade and Enterprises offshore presence, starting with China to take advantage of the Free Trade Agreement Extend the successful beach-heads programme Support New Zealand business groups, such as the Wine Institute, seeking collaborative approaches to offshore markets Strengthen New Zealand international telecommunications connections
Minimum Wage
An effective Labour market policy can both underpin economic growth and ensure the fruits of growth can be shared fairly. The minimum wage is part of every governments general responsibility to ensure socially acceptable employment standards that are prescribed and enforceable. It provides a floor for wages paid to employees. There are also formal international commitments that establish an explicit obligation on the New Zealand government to ensure an adequate minimum wage. International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention 26 recommends that minimum wages should be set according to the "general level of wages prevailing in the country". Strong Proven Leadership 147
In this decade, New Zealands lowest paid workers have experienced increases to their income of 71%, this is more than four times what they would have experienced in the decade before. The minimum wage increased every year since 1999. Over 120,000 New Zealanders experienced increases in their income in 2008. Last year's increase lifted the adult rate from $10.25 to $11.25 per hour and the youth rate from $8.20 to $9.00 an hour. This was the largest increase in the adult minimum wage since the incoming Lange Labour government boosted the rate in 1985. On 1 April 2008, the minimum wage was increased again from $11.25 per hour, to $12 per hour. Labour believes that we need ensure that all wages reach a socially acceptable minimum. That is why we are committed to offering wage protection to vulnerable workers so that they are paid wages that reflect their worth and productivity. This also ensures that the earnings of people on low incomes do not deteriorate relative to those of other workers, and increases the incentives to work for people considering work. We acknowledge that there have been calls from a number of quarters to lift the minimum wage to $15.00 an hour. Labour would like to meet this target if possible, but in the current economic circumstances we are not able to commit to doing so. Labour will guarantee annual adjustments to the minimum wage during the next term of government, so that the minimum wage at least keeps pace with increases in the average wage or the consumer price index, whichever is the greater. Raising the minimum wage, combined with other assistance such as with Working for Families, has a significant positive effect on the lives of working New Zealanders and their families. Especially during these times of turbulent economic conditions, it reduces the stress and tension some families face in trying to managing financial pressures while ensuring a happy and healthy family environment.
Labours plan for responding to the international downturn

The New Zealand economy is clearly facing short term challenges from the global financial turbulence. Labour will ensure that the current international crisis does not lead to a prolonged recession in New Zealand. We have already announced a retail deposit guarantee scheme to reinforce confidence in our financial and banking systems. The scheme covers all retail deposits of participating New Zealand-registered banks and retail deposits by locals in non-bank deposit-taking entities, such as building societies, credit unions and deposit-taking finance companies Strong Proven Leadership 148
The deposit guarantee is designed to give assurance to New Zealand depositors that their deposits are safe in the current uncertain international financial market conditions. Labour has begun work on an economic stimulus package which will be implemented if the projected impacts on the New Zealand economy remain as they appear to be at the moment. Labour will before Christmas 2008, present to Parliament an additional economic stimulus package which will outline a plan to bring forward infrastructure spending, with particular attention to: Rail and roading improvements Local government sewerage and water projects Afforestation for conservation purposes Retrofitting and upgrading the State Housing stock The school and early childhood centre building programme Further details of this programme can be found in the appendix.
In addition to bringing forward planned spending, we will also be making temporary changes to the provisional tax regime. Labour will, for the period from 15 January 2009 to May 2010, reduce the use of money interest rate for underpayments of provisional tax to the same level as that paid for the overpayment of provisional tax. But the Commissioner of Inland Revenue will have the discretion to increase the use of money interest rate back to the normal level if he is satisfied that there has been a deliberate attempt to underpay tax. Note: current use-of-money interest rates are 14.24% for underpayments and 6.66% on overpayments.
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Appendix Labours Potential Economic Stimulus Package

Bringing forward planned infrastructure spend
Rail
There are a number of rail upgrade projects which may be able to be advanced ahead of current planning, for example: Project Time to Time to % NZ NZ start complete Labour Material physical work content Content work Cost $M
North South Junction which would enable the carriage of 96 containers between 6 -12 mths 30 months Palmerston North and Wellington port, (at present they are offloaded at Palmerston North and trucked). Marsden Point Branch line to enable 12 mths import/export cargos to be transited. At present the line is still located at the old port of Whangarei 48 mths
100
85
$150
100
80
$100M
Roading
Planned expenditure on new roads and road renewals is currently around $1,200 million per annum, rising to $1,700 million per annum over the next 10 years, covering 600-plus projects. These projects have already been subject to rigorous costbenefit analysis. Of these, there will be some that could be accelerated, and urgent advice is being sought from the New Zealand Transport Agency on which individual projects, or what proportion of projects, are capable of being accelerated. Strong Proven Leadership 150
Sewerage Infrastructure
The Sanitary Works Subsidy Scheme was established in 2002 to assist small- to medium-sized communities to build or upgrade their reticulated sewerage facilities and treatment plants. The origins of this Scheme date back to the 1999 Labour Party Manifesto, which identified improved sanitation for small- to medium-sized communities as a policy priority. A total of $133 million was initially allocated over 10 years and was targeted to those communities with deprivation index ratings of five and above. An additional $40 million was provided in Budget 2008, but there are still a number of worthy outstanding projects. Unlike some other infrastructure sectors, the water and sewerage infrastructure sector is largely unaffected by capacity constraints and, with the help of this Scheme, has an established workforce of highly specialised wastewater engineers able to continue work on regional projects, should additional funding be made available. Indeed, the provision of funding for the Scheme in 2002 served as a catalyst for skills development in this area, and led to an increase in specialisation in wastewater engineering. It is estimated that of the unfunded applications received to date, approximately 10 per cent to 20 per cent could be progressed immediately. These might include: Community/Council Whangarei Heads (Whangarei DC) Huapai (Rodney DC) Brunswick/Rotokawa (Rotorua DC) Okareka (Rotorua DC) Muriwai (Rodney DC) Eltham (South Taranaki DC) Parua Bay (Whangarei DC) Dannevirke (Tararua DC) Oakura (New Plymouth DC) Potential Subsidy $M 8.95 7.33 6.22 5.18 4.09 3.53 1.09 1.0 4.44
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Funding projects in the building and construction sector

Bringing forward school property upgrades
At the last budget $14.072 million was set aside to address space deficiencies in 29 schools. There are many other schools around the country which would benefit from additional or upgraded space. It is estimated that up to $185 million of work could be considered. In this years budget $20 million was made available to fund replacement buildings in 20 schools. There are still a number of schools in the queue for such buildings and if spare construction capacity is available work could be brought forward. This could provide replacement buildings for schools as below. Schools funded 2008 Avondale College Kaitangata School Crownthorpe School Arthur Miller School Southbrook School Fairlie School Putere School Omokoroa School Linwood North School Naenae Intermediate Kilbirnie School Waitoki School St Albans School Lincoln Primary School Twyford School Kaipara College Napier Intermediate Westburn School Value ($000) 2,200 205 479 449 467 465 563 456 1,857 864 934 523 1,625 999 508 3,361 3,280 463 Potential extra schools Cambridge High School Sommerfield School Pt Chevalier School Christchurch South School Lyttleton Main School Manurewa East School Karanui School Taupo-Nui-A-Tia College Epsom Girls Grammar Glen Eden Intermediate Green Bay Primary School Papatoetoe High School Value ($000) 856 289 1,480 2,453 2,300 1,539 2,199 2,848 3,553 2,433 2,680 3,984
Housing initiatives
Details on additional measures which may be taken in the housing sector will be released with Labours Housing policy. Strong Proven Leadership 152
Supporting local authorities to bring forward catchment management initiatives in hill country
Addressing soil erosion
There are many areas of lands significantly affected, or potentially affected, by mass movement erosion especially in the lower North Island. The reintroduction of vegetation to these lands through afforestation or managing natural regeneration can provide much improved stability. Geographically the most acute land areas are concentrated within the boundaries of Gisborne District Council, the Hawkes Bay Regional Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council, Horizons Manawatu and the Taranaki Regional Council. The Northland Regional Council, Auckland Regional Council, Environment Waikato and Bay of Plenty Regional Councils also have significant areas of affected land. The government has three programmes in place that already provide direct funding support as an incentive for afforestation activity targeting eroding and erosion prone land: East Coast Forestry Project this well established programme targets effected land within the boundaries of the Gisborne District Council. The Sustainable Land Management (Hill Country Erosion) programme, introduced in 2007, provides $2 million a year to accelerate the activity of the Regional Councils. The Afforestation Grants Scheme introduced with the Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change Plan of Action is designed to include consideration of hill country erosion.
The Permanent Forest Sinks Initiative, while not providing direct financial support, is also relevant. The ability of land managers to accrue value in sequested carbon through planting or managing natural reversion on hill country land will influence investment decisions. While there is then a strong programme framework in place that supports the objective of achieving slope stability and reducing erosion, these programmes can potentially be boosted by the provision of further funds.
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Enhancing Co-ordination and Capability
Labours policy for Emergency Management
2008
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Introduction
Labour wants a society where families and communities are safe and secure and know how best to protect each other. Labour wants you and your family to be prepared. We recognise that while response and recovery during and after an emergency are important, we will all get through emergencies better if we get ready in advance. We need to think about, and plan for, emergencies before they happen. We will keep improving technologies that help us reduce the risk of major events to our families and communities. The potential hazards facing us are constantly changing. As New Zealands population grows and spreads across the landscape this can mean more development in hazard-prone areas. We know climate change is a reality and as a consequence we will experience more extreme weather events. It is of critical importance to continuously improve our readiness for emergency situations. Labour will work to understand and learn from international experience, and contribute to the international body of knowledge about effective disaster management. Our focus is on building a New Zealand that is resilient in the face of emergencies. We will achieve resilience through strong leadership, an exceptionally trained and skilled emergency management sector and an educated and well-prepared public. Civil defence and emergency management is substantially about resource and information co-ordination and planning. Emergency services, such as Police, Fire, Ambulance and other health services, play a critical role in our response to emergency situations. It is essential those services are integrated into every aspect of emergency management planning. Labour will continue to develop civil defence and emergency management response capabilities at local, regional and national level. We want our communities to be safe; we want our families to be safe. Nothing is more important.
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Enhanced co-ordination through flexible legislation

A decade ago civil defence in New Zealand focussed on response to and recovery from emergency events. Our approach was fragmented, and the role of emergency services and their participation in a co-ordinated disaster response was unclear. New legislation in 2002 (the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act) established a more coherent and co-ordinated approach to emergency management. The new Act recognises that how we plan for major events has a significant influence on their impact. There is now a new emphasis on four factors (the four Rs): Risk Reduction Readiness Response; and Recovery
The new legislation also introduced new requirements for local authorities to form regional Civil Defence Emergency Management Groups and develop emergency plans based on the four Rs. Emergency services are required to participate in their development. These plans are to be reviewed after five years. For the first time New Zealand has both a comprehensive National Civil Defence Emergency Management Strategy and a National Civil Defence Emergency Management Plan. The strategy outlines the vision, principles, values and goals of our approach to emergency management. The Plan identifies key relationships, arrangements and frameworks that assist with the management of civil defence. Ten years ago emergency management focused on a response to, and recovery from, emergency events. Todaywe recognise the importance of reducing risk to our communities and being ready for events before they occur. Ten years from nowwe will have a more integrated and co-ordinated sector that works effectively before, during and after an emergency. But there is more to do. Emergency Management preparedness needs to be further developed to meet both the challenges of increasing hazards and rising public expectations of an effective and co-ordinated response. There is an increasing overlap in agency responsibility. For example, the Fire Service now has increased involvement in emergency responses to non-fire related incidents Strong Proven Leadership 158
and national emergency events. This offers a unique opportunity for flexibility but also means effective co-ordination is critical. Clarity of roles and responsibilities is essential for good emergency management. We need co-ordination not just for the duration of the event but at all times, to ensure we are always ready to respond. In an increasingly complex environment, legislative and regulatory frameworks need to give us the flexibility to respond as the environment changes. We want frameworks that are as integrated and effective as possible, so that resources can be deployed as efficiently and effectively as possible. Labour will review the civil defence legislation and plan to look for further opportunities for enhanced co-ordination of all organisations that have an interest in Civil Defence. We will examine the way in which the Civil Defence Emergency Management Act interacts with other legislation to ensure maximum synchronisation and flexibility into the future.
Developing capability
We have spent the last decade developing our understanding of major events and testing our procedures. The Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management has organised and executed a number of large-scale training exercises including: Capital Quake a simulated earthquake in Wellington Exercise Ruamoko a simulated volcanic eruption in Auckland Exercise Pacific Wave testing of Pacific Tsunami warning systems
Civil Defence Emergency Management Groups have also executed training exercises at a regional level. Exercises have proved to be of enormous value in enhancing our understanding of the dynamics of an emergency event and identifying opportunities for improvement. As we look to the future, new hazards are likely to emerge that will shape the development of emergency co-ordination. International events like the Boxing Day Tsunami in 2004 heightened public awareness of the types of risks we might face. New Zealand responded by developing a Tsunami Risk Management work programme which includes a National Distant Strong Proven Leadership 159
Source Tsunami Contingency Plan, developing and standardising Tsunami warning signage and developing a tsunami public awareness and information brochure. Work is also continuing on options to better co-ordinate and improve alert systems. We now have a permanently-staffed 24/7 communication centre receiving and issuing initial emergency information. Work is underway to develop a more effective data management system in the National Crisis Management Centre to enable the development of an alternative virtual Emergency Operating Centre and ensure better resilience of infrastructure and improved information flow with Civil Defence Emergency Management Groups. In the future our priorities must be to further develop our understanding of the risks we face and continue to build expertise and capability.
Professional development and training

Our ability to carry out effective emergency management will rely heavily on the leadership and expertise of staff. It is important that we ensure our people have the knowledge and training they need. Labour will establish a nationwide Emergency Management Development Programme and develop internationally recognised Emergency Management and emergency response co-ordination standards. The Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management will establish competency measures for key Emergency Management roles and co-ordinate the development of more effective standards, qualifications and professional development programmes. Labour will establish partnerships with civil defence and emergency management training providers and other tertiary education organisations to ensure excellent quality training and resources are available to Emergency Management professionals and volunteers. This will ensure that not only are our people well equipped to do their jobs but the entire sector will develop a strong and co-ordinated understanding of what is required.
International Linkages
Each country faces different challenges when responding to a major event. New Zealand has a varied landscape and a variety of natural hazards. We have volcanoes, flood plains and thousands of kilometres of coastline. We have active fault lines and our relative isolation means we have to be pretty self-sufficient. Strong Proven Leadership 160
We are well placed to be able to contribute to the global body of knowledge on disaster management. We want to learn from others too. Having real, first-hand experience is of immense value in developing the emergency management sector. By helping others we also help ourselves. Labour will support and encourage New Zealands participation in international events on emergency management.
An informed and prepared public

Surveys show New Zealanders are becoming more prepared for major events. Successful public awareness programmes include the Get Ready Get Thru public education programme, launched in 2006 and which includes television, radio and print advertising, a dedicated website resource translated into eight different languages. Labour will continue to build on the success of current public education campaigns. Also in 2006, the educational resource Whats the Plan Stan was distributed to 3000 primary and intermediate schools. The resource was recently upgraded and a Te Reo version launched in July 2008. Labour will continue to build the awareness of our young people to emergency response through further distribution and development of school resources. The needs of our population are diverse. Labour will ensure public education is targeted to Maori, Pacific peoples, new migrants and other non-English speaking groups. People with special needs, the elderly and children will require education tailored specifically for them. Similarly, considerations for those in rural areas will be different to those in urban areas. Labour will ensure campaigns are appropriately targeted to build awareness and increase preparedness, and continue to invest in the translation of emergency management documents into other languages.
161
Security in times of Change
Labours Policy for Employment
2008
164
Introduction
New Zealand has enjoyed a decade of good news in the economy and in employment. We have seen an unemployment rate of below 4 per cent over the past four years, an achievement right-wing politicians of the 1990s told New Zealanders simply couldn't be done. New Zealand has the only record in the developed world of an unemployment rate that has remained below 4% for four years, well below the average of 5.7% unemployment for Employment in New Zealand developed countries including the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, France and Germany.
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Houshold Labour Force
1750
A lot of progress has been made this decade getting people into work and improving the position of disadvantaged groups. Assistance to jobseekers through Work and Income is now better connected to the needs of employers to identify their workforce needs. Creating partnerships with industry has been an effective way for industry and government to work together to minimise skill and labour shortages, and maximise job opportunities for individuals.
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With the New Zealand economy now facing challenges from the global financial turbulence and economic slowdown, Labour can be trusted to give impetus to our economy, ensure that New Zealand jobs are kept safe wherever possible, and protect workers interests where change is unavoidable. Ten years ago Unemployment was high and the Employment Contracts Act gave very little support in times of rapid economic and social change. Today The Employment Relations Act has begun to address the balance of power between employers and workers and the unemployment rate has remained below 4% for 4 years (June 2008). Ten years from now. Employers and workers will enjoy security, consistency and stability in their relationships with clearly understood entitlements and responsibilities. Labour recognises that firms opening, restructuring, and closing is a necessary feature of todays fast-moving and adaptive economy. We have established mechanisms for government, unions, employers and agencies to work together to help smooth transitions throughout these cycles of change. Even when there are record low levels of unemployment and equally high levels of employment, New Zealand workers must be secure in the knowledge that if there is change, they and their families can maintain at least minimum entitlements to assist them in their transition to a new job. Strong Proven Leadership 165
We believe the positive changes that we intend to put in place will bring about greater security for workers as they move to new jobs while at the same time give employers certainty about their obligations.
Working with Affected Firms

We will continue to focus on improving the working lives of the most vulnerable members of the labour force and to strengthen protections available to workers. Labour will encourage notification to government agencies of potential or upcoming redundancy situations. We will refine the co-ordinated rapid response by government agencies to collective redundancies and raise awareness about the support available. This will include working closely with employers to prepare and offer support to their workers at the earliest opportunity. Labour will implement more active labour market policies and programmes which provide security and support for workers in a changing economy. We will look at whether there is a gap in terms of the level and intensity of support available in relation to particularly large-scale redundancies. We will ensure that agencies work closely with Industry Training Organisations to provide retraining support for people who have been made redundant.
Support for Affected Workers

In the near term, the prospect of fall out from the international crisis also requires us to have new plans for workers whose jobs might be affected. Labour has already made changes to the social security system so that it can help people more quickly and effectively. In particular, last year we changed the law to reduce the maximum period a person has to wait before receiving a benefit (the initial stand-down period) from 10 weeks to 2 weeks.
Job Search Allowance

In many cases when a worker becomes redundant, this removes the familys only source of income. In situations like this, social security assistance is already available. In other cases, there is another earner in the family. Even so, the implications of sudden job loss can be hugely stressful and disruptive. This can be particularly the case for families who had been well-established in the workforce with an expectation of ongoing income and with expenditure patterns determined by children, housing costs, credit repayments etc. Strong Proven Leadership 166
In such circumstances, where workers are made redundant Labour will provide additional transitional assistance while they get back into paid employment, identify an appropriate retraining course, or adjust their circumstances. Labour will introduce a Job Search Allowance for up to thirteen weeks for people who have been made redundant after at least five years in the workforce. The job search obligations and eligibility requirements will be the same as for the unemployment benefit, with the exception that the income of the persons spouse or partner will not affect their entitlement. The rate of payment will be the same as the appropriate rate of unemployment benefit. The standard one to two week stand down period will also apply. The Job Search Allowance will provide families affected by a redundancy in the family with some much-needed additional income to make ends meet in the initial period while they find their feet. The Job Search Allowance will not be available for people who are unemployed for reasons other than losing their job through a lay-off or redundancy. Eligibility will not be back-dated to cover redundancies prior to the introduction of the Job Search Allowance.
Retraining
In the modern world, skills are increasingly important, both for individuals and for the economy as a whole. Careers are also becoming more complex with people more likely to change jobs and even occupations over the course of their working life. That will often require a period of retraining. Labour will introduce a new retraining allowance, on the same basis as a student allowance, but with no spousal income test, for workers who have been in the workforce for at least five years and have been made redundant. It will be available for up to a year for enrolment in a recognised full time course. In some cases, the retraining allowance might be taken up following a period on the Job Search Allowance, providing for up to fifteen months of assistance where necessary. Learning is now lifelong, including for people who have not been made redundant. It is not something that stops when we leave school or finish an apprenticeship. Labour recognises this and is putting in place measures to support workers to gain new skills throughout their working lives. Labour will also introduce a retraining allowance available to those who have been in the workforce for ten years and wish to upgrade their skills or retrain in a new area. Strong Proven Leadership 167
This will provide an alternative to the Student Allowance for people who have used their 200 weeks Student Allowance entitlement. This allowance will also be available for up to a year for enrolment in a recognised full time course. Courses will generally need to be of at least twelve full-time weeks duration. The Unemployment Benefit (in training) is already available for courses of up to twelve weeks.
Redundancy Provisions
Labour will put in further changes to provide greater security for workers in the face of restructuring or redundancy. We believe there must be provision in law to ensure that when redundancies occur, workers are properly supported. Redundancy law in New Zealand currently offers no statutory entitlements to workers for a notice period or for compensation in the event of a redundancy. This means that workers who are made redundant and do not have these protections negotiated into their employment agreements are vulnerable. Labour in government set up an public advisory group on restructuring and redundancy to advise on the adequacy of New Zealands redundancy laws and provisions. It included representatives from Business New Zealand and the Council of Trade Unions. This group has recommended that the government should consider the introduction of a statutory requirement for redundancy compensation and other entitlements. Labour intends to act on this recommendation. Labour will enhance employment law to provide for statutory minimum standards for redundancy. These standards will cover minimum levels of redundancy compensation (e.g. payment for a certain number of weeks following dismissal) and the minimum amount of notice employees can expect. We will work with business and unions to establish how much notice is appropriate, how compensation will be calculated and how the issue of tax should be addressed. In addition, in circumstances when an employer, who is a partner to a collective agreement with workers, intends to restructure their business or outsource part or all of the functions of that business, we believe workers should have rights to be involved in the process. Labour will ensure that the Employment Relations Act does not prevent workers from being able to take strike action, if necessary, when employers Strong Proven Leadership 168
initiate restructuring/outsourcing which undermines a collective agreement, during the term of that agreement.
A Skilled Workforce
A skilled workforce is a major driver of economic growth and innovation. A skilled workforce lifts productivity, improves New Zealands global competitiveness and helps our industries. Skills, knowledge, information and creativity are becoming the main drivers of our country's competitive advantage. New Zealand must become a nation that values and encourages innovation, recognises and capitalises on our unique qualities and strengths, and competes confidently and successfully in the global marketplace.
Industry Training
Improving the skills of the current workforce is crucial for New Zealand to achieve economic transformation and to move towards a high-skill, high-wage economy. If New Zealand is to actively participate in the knowledge economy and society, then our people must be able to enhance their skills throughout their lifetime. Employers will need an increasingly well-trained workforce to deal with the ever-changing environment in which they operate. Industry training is structured workplace learning and skill development arranged through one of 40 industry training organisations (ITOs). It involves formal training provided for people who are employed in a particular industry so skills are linked to the needs of workers and workplaces in that industry. Participation in industry training has increased dramatically during this decade. It has trebled to an estimated 190,000 during 2008, with funding increasing by a similar amount. Workers and trainees are better supported than ever before to improve their skills and gain a sense of purpose and opportunity. Nearly 40,000 employers are now involved in industry training, with government-supported pathways and structures to help them reach their goals through a better trained workforce. Ten years ago . . . there were no trades training pathways for our young people. Today . . . we have established a training culture for our younger people and the wider workforce. During 2008 an estimated 190,000 people are industry trainees. Ten years from now . . . the majority of our tradespeople will have benefited from training and there will be ongoing and structured support for these people to progress in their careers. Strong Proven Leadership 169
Labour has a strong belief in the benefits of skills training for New Zealand and has invested heavily in it. With the commitments we have made in government, up to and including this years Budget, the annual investment by 2010 will be more than three times what it was in 2000. This years Budget introduced a provision for annual increases to the Industry Training Fund in line with the Consumer Price Index. We also provided funding to support development of the strategic leadership role of industry training organisations. And just as governments investment in skills training has risen sharply, so has investment from industry up from $24 million in 2000 to $65.5 million last year. Labour intends to build on the investment we have made in the last nine years. Labour will continue to increase industry training so that by 2011, ten per cent of New Zealands workforce is participating in recognised industry training over the course of a calendar year. We have previously set targets for industry training numbers, and this made sense while there was a need to substantially increase the number of trainees. We still need to keep increasing but there is no longer the same training deficit as at the start of the decade. Reaching and maintaining a target of ten percent of the workforce will signal the ongoing importance of industry training while also providing some certainty to ITOs.
Modern Apprenticeships
Labour brought back apprenticeships in a new form that meets the needs of todays workplace. Labours Modern Apprenticeship Scheme has been important in attracting young people back to traditional trade occupations. The scheme involves young people in workplace learning from the start of their careers and will make an important contribution to Labours new Schools Plus plan for every young person to continue in education and training through to the age of 18. In the last decade the Modern Apprenticeship Scheme has exceeded targets for growth. By the middle of this year, more than 17,000 young New Zealanders had either completed a modern apprenticeship or were actively engaged in one. We have already put funding in place so that 14,000 modern apprentices will be in training by the end of 2008. Labour will increase the number of modern apprentices in training by 1,000 a year so that 17,000 people are in modern apprenticeship training by December 2011.
170
Skills Strategy
Labour believes that New Zealand must take a more strategic approach to skills development, both in terms of enabling more of our young people to be in a position to access it and through improving the skills of people already in the workforce. After all, eighty per cent of those working now will still be in the workforce in 2020. To this end, Labour has been working with business and unions to improve the productivity of our workplaces and to ensure all workers have the skills they need for a better standard of living. The Skills Strategy is the next step in the evolution of industry training. It explicitly links skills development with productivity. Lifting the numbers involved in skills training is not enough on its own - we need to increase our capacity to harness those skills in order to drive productivity and competitiveness. The Skills Strategy will not only lift skills levels across the workforce but will equip our workers with better management and leadership skills. This will ensure that firms can better harness the skills young people learn through industry training and modern apprenticeships. Industry training and modern apprenticeships provide the base for our workforce; the Skills Strategy provides the boost needed if we are to move to a high-wage economy. Labour believes that New Zealand's future wealth, global competitiveness and economic transformation rely on the skills of its employees and the way that industry supports workers to reach their full career potential. That is why we need a Skills Strategy that encourages: The use and development of our workforce skills A focus on skills development that meets the needs of industry Formal qualifications that reflect industry requirements Support from employers to employees to ensure workers reach their potential.
Labour will fully implement all components of the New Zealand skills strategy. This includes improved language, literacy and numeracy in the workforce, improved management and leadership capability and skills planning, and streamlining government programmes aimed at supporting firm capability and improving their links with private sector initiatives. Labour values and encourages co-ordination between government, business, unions and industry training organisations in the establishment of the Skills Strategy and the Strong Proven Leadership 171
achievement of its goals. We are committed to maintaining these relationships into the future. Labour will ensure alignment of the skills strategy as it relates to the existing workforce and with the major Schools Plus initiative as it relates to the emerging workforce. Schools Plus is Labours initiative to significantly reform our secondary school system by offering all young New Zealanders a stronger educational foundation. It is aimed at ensuring that by 2014, all young people are in education, training or some form of structured learning until the age of 18. By staying in education or training longer, our young people will secure a better future for themselves and their families.
Productive Workplaces
Labour believes that there is a need to ensure that all firms are able to access the wide range of support available for their businesses at an early stage, before they face the risk of failure. This might include skills development, changing business practices, business development and productivity improvement. Labour will work with firms to help them access the services they need to improve their productivity. We will place a particular focus on firms in rural areas or small towns who may find it difficult to access existing programmes and support. Labour will ensure that government agencies work constructively and collaboratively to help meet specific productivity and performance challenges facing individual firms. This will include building and disseminating knowledge, expertise and capability on how best to use and manage the resources available to achieve good business and good work outcomes. Productivity improves when employees and employers work together to achieve a shared vision it is not about working longer, it is about working smarter. Labours labour market policies will continue the focus on choice and flexibility. Increasingly, the work/life balance is a key consideration in any well-functioning workplace. Things like flexible working arrangements and good parental provisions can help achieve that balance for working families.
172
Low Paid Work

Changes this decade have assisted low paid workers to feel more recognised, supported and valued for the work that they do. The Employment Relations Act, which replaced the Employment Contracts Act from the last decade, restored balance, fairness and transparency in the employment relationship. This has helped to give greater security and certainty to all types of workers in New Zealand. Household incomes* have fared much better this decade than last, especially for moderate earners Employers have been encouraged to support workers to become more highly skilled. Both workers and employers have been assisted to develop career paths that give greater reward to workers and more certainty, consistency and better skills in the workplace for the employer.
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20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
-5%
-10%
Decile, from poorer (1) to richer (9) Consistent increases in the minimum wage every year this * Percentage change, after taking into account inflation and household decade have also helped to composition. drive pay rises for workers in low paid work. Particular improvements have been achieved for workers in New Zealands health sector.
Ten years ago Household incomes were in decline for low to modest income households. Today Modest income households have had greater income growth this decade than wealthier households, partly due to Labours Working for Families policy. Ten years from now. A focus on skills and productivity, combined with increases to the minimum wage and to Working for Families, mean New Zealand will have continued to become a more equal society. Nevertheless, there are workers in New Zealand, within specific sectors of the economy, with limited opportunity for advancement in pay and responsibility and with low levels of job security. These sectors tend to have a high level of staff turnover. Labour will make further changes to improve opportunities for New Zealanders in low paid in work. Labour will review low-paid sectors of the economy and examine whether additional changes to legislation are necessary to improve access to collective bargaining and collective agreements, and achieve improved wages and conditions for workers in these sectors. Strong Proven Leadership 173
Alongside this, Labour will continue to engage in strategies that seek to have direct positive impacts on the workforce to drive up wage rates, and put in place programmes and initiatives to support and develop low-wage sectors of the economy. We intend to increase worker satisfaction, reduce staff turnover, and increase opportunities for workers to develop skills that can be used to achieve higher-paid work opportunities. For employers, there will be benefits from positive changes in workplace practice that will improve productivity. We expect this to result in increased profits for firms and increased wages, leading to an overall positive impact on New Zealands economic growth.
Workers in Precarious Employment

Labour believes that all workers should be assured of fundamental rights and conditions no matter whether they are involved in casual employment or in situations where their employer hires their skills out on contract to another employer. We believe that workers should have security in their employment and should have some assurance they cannot suddenly be removed from regular work arrangements, for whatever reason, without access to reasonable entitlements and protections. Labour has ensured that workers have access to rights and entitlements including meal and rest breaks, infant feeding breaks, four weeks annual leave, the right to bargain collectively, improved health and safety rules and more. Ten years ago The Employment Contracts Act had marginalised workers at the fringes. Today There are more jobs, more opportunities for training, entitlements for workers have been enhanced and collective bargaining means workers are better off. Ten years from now. All workers will have knowledge of and access to their entitlements in the workplace, workers will have more job security and consistency, and both employers and employees will enjoy an enhanced employment relationship. We are now intending further changes to protect the interests of workers in precarious employment. This includes workers who are hired in seasonal employment, who are not currently in fixed-term or full-time employment or who work irregular hours in order to support busy family lives. Labour will ensure that workers employed in precarious forms of employment (such as labour hire, casual employment and contracting) are given similar rights to those in more traditional forms of employment.
174
Labour hire and contracting

This could involve amendments to employment law that would ensure workers employed by temporary work agencies and labour hire companies have the right to be covered by the collective agreement in force at that workplace. Labour believes that workers should be treated on the basis of their skills and there are instances where these arrangements force workers to accept conditions less than those enjoyed by their co-workers. This is unfair.
Casual employment
We know that many casual workers do not have access to statutory entitlements such as holidays, sick or bereavement leave and the right to take a personal grievance claim if they are unjustifiably dismissed. This may be because they are unaware of their entitlements or because the law currently does not provide sufficient clarity around what rights a worker has when they are employed on a casual basis. Casual employment has no statutory definition and all workers are legally either permanent or fixed term with appropriate entitlements. We will launch an awarenessraising campaign to improve casual and temporary workers knowledge of their rights and entitlements. We will also consider the implementation of a Code of Employment Practice that spells out what entitlements workers can expect when it is agreed that their role is as a casual worker. We will amend legislation to provide for enhanced powers for labour inspectors to provide guidance and advice to employers when determining whether a worker is a casual, fixed term or full time worker. In tandem with changes to the powers of labour inspectors, we will amend employment law to provide greater clarity around the definition of permanent work. This will include consideration of how regular an employees work has become, consideration of how dependent the employer is upon casual workers and whether the worker is genuinely in a position to accept or reject offers of employment. We believe these measures will improve the level of certainty for casual workers. It will also encourage investment in skills training that has a positive impact on the productivity of a workplace and brings about positive change for the firm in which the employee works. It is also important for security of employment that workers can be protected from disguised dismissals or sudden changes in their working conditions. We know that developing higher levels of security in employment is not only positive for workers, but also for employers and the economy.
175
Protecting the Rights of Workers
Labours Policy for Employment Relations
2008
178
Introduction
Since its earliest days, Labour has had the protection of workers rights as a founding value. Labour believes in the right of workers to a liveable wage, freedom from unreasonable and unfair treatment in the workplace and the right of all workers to bargain collectively. These core beliefs have continued to be reflected in the work Labour has done and continues to do on behalf of all workers. Labour supports an employment relations framework that recognises the interdependence of workers and employers, promotes and sustains economic growth and assists in achieving a fair distribution of resources. Labour believes that employment relations legislation should recognise that the balance of power and influence between workers and employers is not equal. Labour recognises that the best way to address this imbalance is to promote collective bargaining as the preferred means of establishing the rights and obligations of workers. Labour has worked with, and continues to work with, unions and employers as social partners. We will ensure that each partner has the ability to participate effectively and equitably in Employment in New Zealand industry and skills development and other social and economic public policy areas.
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Security in Times of Change
1250
New Zealand has enjoyed a decade of good news in the economy and in employment. We have seen an unemployment rate of below 4 per cent over the past four years, an achievement right-wing politicians of the 1990s told New Zealanders simply couldn't be done.
1000 Jun-90 Jun-91 Jun-92 Jun-93 Jun-94 Jun-95 Jun-96 Jun-97 Jun-98 Jun-99 Jun-00 Jun-01 Jun-02 Jun-03 Quarter
New Zealand has the only record in the developed world of an unemployment rate that has remained below 4% for four years, well below the average of 5.7% unemployment for developed countries including the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, France and Germany. A lot of progress has been made this decade getting people into work and improving the position of disadvantaged groups. Assistance to jobseekers through Work and Income is now better connected to the needs of employers to identify their workforce needs. Creating partnerships with industry has been an effective way for industry and government to work together to minimise skill and labour shortages, and maximise job opportunities for individuals. With the New Zealand economy now facing challenges from the global financial turbulence and economic slowdown, Labour can be trusted to give impetus to our economy, ensure that New Zealand jobs are kept safe wherever possible, and protect workers interests where change is unavoidable. Strong Proven Leadership 179
Jun-04
Jun-05
Jun-06
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Ten years ago Unemployment was high and the Employment Contracts Act gave very little support in times of rapid economic and social change. Today The Employment Relations Act has begun to address the balance of power between employers and workers and the unemployment rate has remained below 4% for 4 years (June 2008). Ten years from now. Employers and workers will enjoy security, consistency and stability in their relationships with clearly understood entitlements and responsibilities. Labour recognises that firms opening, restructuring, and closing is a necessary feature of todays fast-moving and adaptive economy. We have established mechanisms for government, unions, employers and agencies to work together to help smooth transitions throughout these cycles of change. Even when there are record low levels of unemployment and equally high levels of employment, New Zealand workers must be secure in the knowledge that if there is change, they and their families can maintain at least minimum entitlements to assist them in their transition to a new job. Labour will put in further changes to provide greater security for workers in the face of restructuring or redundancy. We believe there must be provision in law to ensure that when redundancies occur, workers are properly supported. Redundancy law in New Zealand currently offers no statutory entitlements to workers for a notice period or for compensation in the event of a redundancy. This means that workers who are made redundant and do not have these protections negotiated into their employment agreements are vulnerable. Labour in government set up an public advisory group on restructuring and redundancy to advise on the adequacy of New Zealands redundancy laws and provisions. It included representatives from Business New Zealand and the Council of Trade Unions. This group has recommended that the government should consider the introduction of a statutory requirement for redundancy compensation and other entitlements. Labour intends to act on this recommendation. Labour will enhance employment law to provide for statutory minimum standards for redundancy. These standards will cover minimum levels of redundancy compensation (e.g. payment for a certain number of weeks following dismissal) and the minimum amount of notice employees can expect. We will work with business and unions to establish how much notice is appropriate, how compensation will be calculated and how the issue of tax should be addressed.
180
We will continue to focus on improving the working lives of the most vulnerable members of the labour force and to strengthen protections available to workers. Labour will encourage notification to government agencies of potential or upcoming redundancy situations. We will refine the co-ordinated rapid response by government agencies to collective redundancies and raise awareness about the support available. This will include working closely with employers to prepare and offer support to their workers at the earliest opportunity. Labour will implement more active labour market policies and programmes which provide security and support for workers in a changing economy. We will look at whether there is a gap in terms of the level and intensity of support available in relation to particularly large-scale redundancies. We will ensure that agencies work closely with Industry Training Organisations to provide retraining support for people who have been made redundant. In the near term, the prospect of fall out from the international crisis also requires us to have new plans for workers whose jobs might be affected. Labour will introduce a new retraining allowance, on the same basis as a student allowance, but with no spousal income test, for workers who have been in the workforce for at least five years and have been made redundant. In the modern world, skills are increasingly important, both for individuals and for the economy as a whole. Careers are also becoming more complex with people more likely to change jobs and even occupations over the course of their working life. That will often require a period of retraining. In other words, learning is now lifelong. It is not something that stops when we leave school or finish an apprenticeship. Labour recognises this and is putting in place measures to support workers to gain new skills throughout their working lives. Labour will also introduce a retraining allowance available to those who have been in the workforce for ten years and wish to upgrade their skills or retrain in a new area. This will provide an alternative to the Student Allowance for people who have used their 200 weeks Student Allowance entitlement. These allowances will be available for up to a year for enrolment in a recognised full time course. The course will generally need to be of at least twelve full-time weeks duration. The Unemployment Benefit (in training) is already available for courses of up to twelve weeks. Strong Proven Leadership 181
We believe these positive changes will bring about greater security for workers as they move to new jobs while at the same time give employers certainty about their obligations. In addition, in circumstances when an employer, who is a partner to a collective agreement with workers, intends to restructure their business or outsource part or all of the functions of that business, we believe workers should have rights to be involved in the process. Labour will ensure that the Employment Relations Act does not prevent workers from being able to take strike action, if necessary, when employers initiate restructuring/outsourcing which undermines a collective agreement, during the term of that agreement. Labour believes that there is also a need to ensure that all firms are able to access the wide range of support available for their businesses at an early stage, before they face the risk of failure. This might include skills development, changing business practices, business development and productivity improvement. Labour will work with firms to help them access the services they need to improve their productivity. We will place a particular focus on firms in rural areas or small towns who may find it difficult to access existing programmes and support. Labour will ensure that government agencies work constructively and collaboratively to help meet specific productivity and performance challenges facing individual firms. This will include building and disseminating knowledge, expertise and capability on how best to use and manage the resources available to achieve good business and good work outcomes. Productivity improves when employees and employers work together to achieve a shared vision it is not about working longer, it is about working smarter. Labours labour market policies will continue the focus on choice and flexibility. Increasingly, the work/life balance is a key consideration in any well-functioning workplace. Things like flexible working arrangements and good parental provisions can help achieve that balance for working families.
Collective Negotiations
This decade has seen sweeping changes to the way employment relations are regulated, with the repeal of the oppressive Employment Contracts Act, enacted the decade before.
182
The Employment Contracts Act failed to accept there was a fundamental imbalance in the employment relationship, with power being held largely by the employer. As a result, it lacked protections for working people. The Employment Relations Act 2000 was enacted to re-balance the employment relationship, to protect the rights of working New Zealanders in law and to allow for collective bargaining for the benefit of workers. Collective bargaining is about ensuring consistency and transparency in the employment relationship and about maintaining a balance between the needs of the employer and the needs of workers. Collective bargaining enables workers to negotiate their terms and conditions as a group so they are treated fairly and in good faith. The Employment Relations Act provides a fairer employment environment that supports collective bargaining. It has brought about improvements to the conditions of working New Zealanders during this decade by restoring the rights of workers to use their collective strength in their bargaining position. The number of work stoppages in New Zealand has reduced by around 23 per cent, with a reduction of around 40 per cent in dollars lost because of strike action. The introduction of the Employment Relations Act has seen greater satisfaction in the workplace and it shows. Under the old Employment Contracts Act, union membership more than halved because the law at the time was focused on individuals having to bargain directly with their employer. We believe there is more to be done to strengthen the position of workers when they negotiate pay and conditions and we will continue to make enhancements to employment law to achieve this. Multi Employer Collective Agreements, or MECAs as they have become known, enable a group of employees working in a similar field but with different employers to join together to negotiate their conditions in their respective work places. Labour believes that MECAs are valuable to both sides of the employment relationship. For employers, MECAs mean greater consistency in the quality of skills being demonstrated by workers, greater security in the negotiation process and common standards across the sector. We believe this will encourage sector-wide improvements in skills and services, and greater job satisfaction and therefore staff retention. The benefit of shared conditions is that workers within sectors have greater certainty when they move to another position within that sector. Nurses, for example, now have greater certainty around their conditions of work no matter which District Health Board they work for. Strong Proven Leadership 183
Labour will amend the Employment Relations Act to provide greater statutory support for multi-employer collective bargaining. The place of unions in New Zealand is a long-standing tradition, with many of our early settlers coming here to escape oppressive working conditions in their home countries. In more recent times, unions have taken on a wider role, now working as partners with government and business to enhance workplace health and safety, productivity and workplace practices. But unions are, and always will be, strong advocates for the workers they represent. They are experienced in this role, have expertise in negotiation and a financial membership that gives them a mandate to act on behalf of workers. Labour will ensure that only union members can obtain the benefits of union-negotiated agreements. We want to continue to see effective representation for those who choose it and want to continue to see the involvement of unions in the development of strategies for growth and development in partnership with business and government.
The Minimum Wage

The minimum wage is part of every governments general responsibility to ensure socially-acceptable employment standards are prescribed and enforceable. It provides a floor for wages paid to employees. It is an offence to pay less than the minimum wage unless an individual exemption due to disability applies. In this decade, New Zealands lowest-paid workers have experienced increases to their income of 71% - more than four times the level in the preceding decade. Over 120,000 people had increases in their income in 2008. This has been possible because of strong management of the New Zealand economy and investment in areas that create jobs such as skills development, new infrastructure and strong social Minimum Wage Movements, 1990services. 2008 The minimum wage has increased every year since 1999. Last year's increase lifted the adult rate from $10.25 to $11.25 per hour and the youth rate from $8.20 to $9.00 an hour. This was the largest increase in the adult minimum wage since the Lange Labour government boosted the rate in 1985. On 1 April 2008, the minimum wage was increased again from
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$11.25 per hour, to $12 per hour. Until this year there was a separate youth minimum wage for employees aged 16 and 17 years. This has been replaced by a new entrants minimum wage. This can be paid to 16 and 17 year olds for their first 200 hours or three months of employment, after which the adult minimum wage applies. The current new entrants minimum hourly rate is $9.60, or 80 per cent of the adult minimum wage. Ten years ago The minimum wage was $7.00 an hour and had been barely adjusted for a decade, increasing by only 87 cents since 1990. Today The minimum wage is $12.00 an hour, increasing every year this decade, with the second-largest increase ever of $1.00 last year. Ten years from now The minimum wage will have continued to keep pace with changes in average incomes so that low-paid workers dont fall behind. We acknowledge there have been calls from a number of quarters to lift the minimum wage to $15.00 an hour. Labour would like to meet this target if possible, but in the current economic circumstances we are not able to commit to doing so. Labour will guarantee annual adjustments to the minimum wage during the next term of government, so that the minimum wage at least keeps pace with increases in the average wage or the consumer price index, whichever is the greater. Raising the minimum wage, combined with other assistance such as Working for Families, has had a significant positive effect on the lives of working New Zealanders and their families. Especially during these times of turbulent economic conditions, it reduces the stress and tension some families face in trying to managing financial pressures. But Labour believes increases in the minimum wage are only one part of a bigger picture. We want to improve the living standards of all working New Zealanders by seeing wages increase over the whole economy. In general, wages in New Zealand are low, both in comparison to Australia and other OECD countries and relative to the economic transformation we need to make if we are to move to a high-skill, highwage, high-value economy. Labour is committed to investing in infrastructure and skills, and supporting increased management capability in order to ensure that New Zealand has more productive workplaces. This is the route to higher wages that also benefits employers.
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Low Paid Work

Changes this decade have assisted low paid workers to feel more recognised, supported and valued for the work that they do. The Employment Relations Act, which replaced the Employment Contracts Act from the last decade, restored balance, fairness and transparency in the employment relationship. This has helped to give greater security and certainty to all types of workers in New Zealand.
Household incomes* have fared much better this decade than last, especially for moderate earners
30% 25%
1998-2007 1990-1998
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15%
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-5%
-10%
Decile, from poorer (1) to richer (9)
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Employers have been encouraged to support workers to become more highly skilled. Both workers and employers have been assisted to develop career paths that give greater reward to workers and more certainty, consistency and better skills in the workplace for the employer. Consistent increases in the minimum wage every year this decade have also helped to drive pay rises for workers in low paid work. Particular improvements have been achieved for workers in New Zealands health sector. Ten years ago Household incomes were in decline for low to modest income households. Today Modest income households have had greater income growth this decade than wealthier households, partly due to Labours Working for Families policy. Ten years from now. A focus on skills and productivity, combined with increases to the minimum wage and to Working for Families, mean New Zealand will have continued to become a more equal society. Nevertheless, there are workers in New Zealand, within specific sectors of the economy, with limited opportunity for advancement in pay and responsibility and with low levels of job security. These sectors tend to have a high level of staff turnover. Labour will make further changes to improve opportunities for New Zealanders in low paid in work. Labour will review low-paid sectors of the economy and examine whether additional changes to legislation are necessary to improve access to collective bargaining and collective agreements, and achieve improved wages and conditions for workers in these sectors. Alongside this, Labour will continue to engage in strategies that seek to have direct positive impacts on the workforce to drive up wage rates, and put in place programmes and initiatives to support and develop low-wage sectors of the economy. Strong Proven Leadership 186
We intend to increase worker satisfaction, reduce staff turnover, and increase opportunities for workers to develop skills that can be used to achieve higher-paid work opportunities. For employers, there will be benefits from positive changes in workplace practice that will improve productivity. We expect this to result in increased profits for firms and increased wages, leading to an overall positive impact on New Zealands economic growth.
Workers in Precarious Employment

Labour believes that all workers should be assured of fundamental rights and conditions no matter whether they are involved in casual employment or in situations where their employer hires their skills out on contract to another employer. We believe that workers should have security in their employment and should have some assurance they cannot suddenly be removed from regular work arrangements, for whatever reason, without access to reasonable entitlements and protections. Labour has ensured that workers have access to rights and entitlements including meal and rest breaks, infant feeding breaks, four weeks annual leave, the right to bargain collectively, improved health and safety rules and more. Ten years ago The Employment Contracts Act had marginalised workers at the fringes. Today There are more jobs, more opportunities for training, entitlements for workers have been enhanced and collective bargaining means workers are better off. Ten years from now. All workers will have knowledge of and access to their entitlements in the workplace, workers will have more job security and consistency, and both employers and employees will enjoy an enhanced employment relationship. We are now intending further changes to protect the interests of workers in precarious employment. This includes workers who are hired in seasonal employment, who are not currently in fixed-term or full-time employment or who work irregular hours in order to support busy family lives. Labour will ensure that workers employed in precarious forms of employment (such as labour hire, casual employment and contracting) are given similar rights to those in more traditional forms of employment.
Labour hire and contracting

This could involve amendments to employment law that would ensure workers employed by temporary work agencies and labour hire companies have the right to be covered by the collective agreement in force at that workplace. Strong Proven Leadership 187
Labour believes that workers should be treated on the basis of their skills and there are instances where these arrangements force workers to accept conditions less than those enjoyed by their co-workers. This is unfair.
Casual employment
We know that many casual workers do not have access to statutory entitlements such as holidays, sick or bereavement leave and the right to take a personal grievance claim if they are unjustifiably dismissed. This may be because they are unaware of their entitlements or because the law currently does not provide sufficient clarity around what rights a worker has when they are employed on a casual basis. Casual employment has no statutory definition and all workers are legally either permanent or fixed term with appropriate entitlements. We will launch an awarenessraising campaign to improve casual and temporary workers knowledge of their rights and entitlements. We will also consider the implementation of a Code of Employment Practice that spells out what entitlements workers can expect when it is agreed that their role is as a casual worker. We will amend legislation to provide for enhanced powers for labour inspectors to provide guidance and advice to employers when determining whether a worker is a casual, fixed term or full time worker. In tandem with changes to the powers of labour inspectors, we will amend employment law to provide greater clarity around the definition of permanent work. This will include consideration of how regular an employees work has become, consideration of how dependent the employer is upon casual workers and whether the worker is genuinely in a position to accept or reject offers of employment. We believe these measures will improve the level of certainty for casual workers. It will also encourage investment in skills training that has a positive impact on the productivity of a workplace and brings about positive change for the firm in which the employee works. It is also important for security of employment that workers can be protected from disguised dismissals or sudden changes in their working conditions. We know that developing higher levels of security in employment is not only positive for workers, but also for employers and the economy.
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Powering to a Renewable Future
Labours Policy for Energy
2008
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Introduction
New Zealand has renewable energy resources that are the envy of the world. Our hydro, wind, and geothermal resources mean we are ideally placed to build an energy system that is affordable, sustainable, and reliable. The challenge is to transition toward a fully sustainable energy system that weans us off greenhouse-gas emitting energy sources such as imported oil. To that end, Labour has set these goals: 90% of our electricity to be generated from renewable sources by 2025 carbon neutrality in electricity by 2025 carbon neutrality in the whole energy sector by 2040.
These goals are achievable if we build on foundations laid in the past decade. New Zealand has ratified the international agreement on climate change, the Kyoto Protocol, so we are committed to renewable energy in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Two energy efficiency strategies and the New Zealand Energy Strategy provide direction and certainty for the sector and have assisted the rapid establishment and growth of wind energy. An Emissions Trading Scheme and an obligation to sell biofuels will spur sustainable activity in every corner of the economy, while the 15-fold increase in public transport spending, electrifying Auckland rail, and buying back KiwiRail have created the basis of a truly sustainable transport network. New Zealand does have extensive petroleum resources and these cannot be ignored in a world still heavily dependent on oil. Petroleum exploration has increased, and new oil and gas fields developed with potential for more. Energy use in our homes and commercial buildings will be cut substantially by applying minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) to a wide range of electrical appliances and through new and more rigorous building code insulation standards. New Zealand is on the brink of its biggest-ever investment in household energy efficiency. As part of the phasing in of the Emissions Trading Scheme, a massive household energy efficiency fund will be rolled out from 2009, one year before electricity enters the Emissions Trading Scheme.
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Current challenges
Globally, energy is becoming more expensive. Demand for oil is increasing and the price of oil has increased along with it. The time of peak oil when oil supplies have reached a peak and are expected to dwindle thereafter is uncertain but predictions range from being imminent to the next decade or two. Given our dependence on oil, any of these predictions gives us little time. The use of traditional fossil fuel energy will need to be limited anyway, as countries strive to reduce the carbon emissions that cause climate change. The Kyoto Protocol puts a price on those emissions.
Affordability and Security of Supply

Labour will put in place measures to maintain security of electricity supply and affordable electricity and transport for New Zealanders. We are increasing sustainable electricity generation, investing heavily in energy efficiency, and introducing biofuels. Efficiency across transport modes including rail, shipping, public transport, and cars is another priority. The Electricity Commission is currently reviewing both retail and wholesale electricity markets. The Commerce Commission is also investigating the wholesale and retail electricity markets, to determine whether market power exists, or is being exercised. Labour will work with relevant agencies to make any changes necessary to ensure more competition in the electricity market prior to winter 2009. It is also essential that New Zealands homes and businesses have a secure supply of electricity. A large part of our existing electricity generation has come from renewable hydro stations but the limitations of lake storage mean that sometimes supply is put under strain during dry years. Nevertheless, major energy shortages have been avoided, despite some record dry years. Rainfall in 2008 in the southern hydro lakes region was the lowest since 1947, yet better information and good industry co-ordination saw a tight situation well managed. Setting up the Electricity Commission has ensured we dont have a repeat of the failings of the deregulated market of the 1990s. Labour will work to ensure a secure energy supply that provides for the countrys energy needs now and into the future while balancing the impact on the environment through increased use of renewable sources of energy. Strong Proven Leadership 192
Diversity of supply is an important means of ensuring cheap, reliable electricity is always available. This means complementing our existing hydro, wind and geothermal electricity generation capacity with new technologies including utilising New Zealands abundant and renewable marine and biomass resources. Currently plenty of renewable electricity generation is being built - we need about 130 megawatts to keep up with projected demand and there is 400 MW under construction right now, with around 1400 MW on the drawing board for the next four years. The building of new fossil-fuelled power stations to provide baseload electricity has been restricted until 2018. This closes off the option of burning fossil fuels to generate electricity, and gives further impetus to the development of renewable resources.
New structures to incorporate renewable energy

The volumes of electricity produced by hydro and fossil fuel thermal power stations are highly controllable. This assists our electricity system in matching supply with demand. Moving to renewable sources of energy may require new infrastructure that can manage the variability of solar and wind power. For example, in the future, homeowners might one day generate more electricity through their own wind turbines or solar panels than they can use. But there is currently no system in place to allow smaller energy producers to sell this electricity back to the national grid. We will also need to create a better system for longer term storage of renewable energy such as wind and solar. Labour will investigate and develop new electricity system structures that can deal with higher proportions of variable renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power.
Small Scale Renewable Electricity Generation

Electricity is vital to the functioning of any house, workplace or community. Labour understands that rural communities face specific difficulties in terms of electricity prices due to their isolation and distributors cost at maintaining infrastructure. Because of the high cost in maintaining supply to the most isolated areas, it is sometimes not economic for a distributor to do so. In our view, distributors have a responsibility to ensure that those people currently on the grid have their supply maintained. Labour will ensure that the obligation for suppliers and distributors to continue supply to customers under section 62 of the Electricity Act, does not end on its original expiry date of 2013.
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We will ensure that the obligation will be an enduring one with no end date, and we have introduced an Electricity (Continuance of Supply) Amendment Bill to ensure this. We recognise that for some customers and communities it may make little sense to remain on the grid, and that local sources of generation are more appropriate. In some situations, it is cheaper to build these sources than to maintain existing electricity lines. The bill that would ensure security of supply after 2013 also allows those remote communities to agree with lines companies to build local generation instead. This cannot be forced on the local community, and will happen only where the community (normally with a subsidy from the lines company) agrees to the new alternative arrangement. Labour will promote small scale renewable electricity generation for rural and isolated locations. Labour will work in partnership with rural communities, distributors and generators to identify and promote opportunities for localised alternative sources of generation, and the Electricity (Continuance of Supply) Amendment Bill promotes this. We will also investigate other opportunities to support investment in renewable generation that is not connected to the main distribution network.
Energy Efficiency
Labour is committed to energy efficiency and conservation so that less electricity is wasted. In the past, the automatic response to our growing demand for energy has been to build more generation. A cornerstone of our New Zealand Energy Strategy, however, is to invest in improved energy efficiency where this is cheaper than the cost of producing extra energy or extra energy infrastructure. An assessment of these costs should include environmental costs. Investments in household energy efficiency, so that households consume less energy, are an example of this approach at work. Labour will further entrench the energy efficiency principle in all sectors. The Energy Strategy also goes beyond electricity generation. For instance, our vehicle fuel efficiency measures are designed to reduce fuel consumption so that less fossilfuelled energy is required for New Zealands vehicle fleet.
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Energy efficiency at home

Labour now intends a major extension to the home insulation programme. We have brought in energy efficiency measures, such as insulating existing homes known as retrofitting. We are scaling up this programme to ensure New Zealanders have warm, dry homes. These measures are timed with introduction of the Emissions Trading Scheme in mind. Ten years ago insulation standards were weak and few, if any houses built before 1978 had adequate insulation. Today insulation standards have been strengthened and, through the insulation retrofit programme, 42,000 New Zealand families now live in warmer, healthier, and more energy efficient homes. Ten years from now hundreds of thousands more houses in New Zealand will be insulated to the recommended standard to help households stay dry, healthy and warm. Labour is prioritising the insulation of state houses so that the remaining homes without insulation are retrofitted within 5 years. Labour recognises it is important the government sets an example for other landlords to follow. That is why the 2008 Budget provided for the state house insulation programme to be significantly accelerated, improving tenant health and reducing power bills. The new timeframe will see 21,000 state houses insulated within five years. Almost 12 homes a day will be insulated, doubling the pace of Housing New Zealands previous Energy Efficiency Retrofit campaign which began in 2001. Many homes in the South Island, where it is colder, have already been insulated. Houses in Auckland, Wellington and Manawatu, where there are significant concentrations of state housing, will be targeted next. A retrofit includes insulation of floors and ceilings, hot water cylinder wraps and lagging around hot water pipes. Efficient heaters will also be installed where appropriate. With the New Zealand economy clearly facing challenges from the global financial turbulence and economic slowdown, we have begun work on an economic stimulus package which will be implemented if the projected impacts on the New Zealand economy remain as they appear to be at the moment. The state housing insulation programme could have a role to play in this economic stimulus package. Labour is prepared to bring forward the current spending programme on home retrofitting, upgrading the State Housing stock, and planned Strong Proven Leadership 195
development on Housing New Zealand land, as part of the economic stimulus package to be presented to Parliament in December. We have also announced a one billion-dollar fund over 15 years to assist families to insulate their homes and improve the efficiency of their heating. This fund is the largest-ever investment in household energy efficiency in New Zealands history. It is not just a one-off cut to a households power bills but a longterm plan to reduce the amount of electricity every household uses. The fund will start in 2009, a year ahead of the electricity sector entering the Emissions Trading Scheme. The one-billion dollar fund to help New Zealanders make the most efficient use of energy will be targeted according to energy needs and income. Spread over 15 years, it will take private household energy efficiency to a whole new level. It will not only save energy, it will also reduce dampness in homes and the health problems that causes. For sufferers of respiratory diseases such as asthma, that means fewer visits to the doctor, fewer hospital admissions and fewer days off school or work. This is a great example of how actions to tackle climate change can benefit us in other ways. More New Zealanders than ever before can enjoy the benefits of a wellinsulated home and efficient heating while at the same time lessening their impact on the environment. This programme is relatively labour-intensive and people can be trained for the work in a relatively short time period. This makes the work ideal for generating work around the country. Improving the energy efficiency of our housing stock also contributes to the sustainability of our nation overall. It not only reduces demand for energy, but also it improves health outcomes. Labour will bring forward access to the $1 billion home energy efficiency fund so that schemes for retrofitting older houses can be expanded in those areas where unemployment is emerging. Electricity enters the Emissions Trading Scheme in 2010. Labour plans to compensate for any price rises that may result from that, bearing in mind that boosting energy efficiency reduces electricity use forever. Labour will deliver to all households in 2010 a one-off electricity rebate to assist with power bills, with those receiving benefits, superannuation and Working for Families tax credits also receiving a targeted one-off cash payment. The financial assistance will be broadly equivalent to the total amount of the increased electricity costs faced by the household sector in 2010.
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Labour will install 15,000 - 20,000 additional solar water heating systems by 2010. New Zealand has abundant solar energy resources. Heating water can account for up to 40 percent of a households electricity bill and three-quarters of that can be saved by installing a solar water heating system. Labour has increased the grant for installing a solar water heating system to $1000.
Energy efficiency in businesses

We believe that businesses can be competitive and more productive by adopting energy efficiency and conservation measures and increasing their uptake of renewable energy. In doing so they can better manage energy and emissions prices and become more profitable. Labour will continue to helping businesses to save energy, and money, through information and incentives to increase the uptake of cost effective energy management practices and technologies.
A Drive towards Sustainable Transport

Forty four percent of all the energy consumed in New Zealand is used to transport people and products. Energy and climate change policies overlap in the dual need to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. The foundations for a sustainable transport network have been laid this decade with a 15-fold increase in public transport spending, electrifying Auckland rail, and buying back KiwiRail. Labour will continue to increase funding for public transport and energyefficient freight transport modes such as rail. This will help to make transport more affordable, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reduce oil imports. It will not only reduce the cost of transport but decrease our dependence on imported fuel which in turn reduces our international trade deficit. Lifting the use of indigenous energy resources for transport through, for example, locally produced biofuels, will have positive spin-offs throughout the economy. An obligation to sell biofuels at the pump took effect from 1 October 2008. Introducing sustainable biofuel blends of petrol and diesel will both reduce our dependence on oil and cut our greenhouse gas emissions.
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An exciting initiative in transport is the development of electric cars. Electric vehicles have significant potential because electric motors convert electricity to energy much more efficiently than the combustion engine converts petrol or diesel. Our ambition to be among the leading countries to widely deploy electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids marks the beginnings of a new era of energy independence and low emissions in transport. Labour intends to prepare the way for a large-scale roll-out of electric vehicles. We have already established a vehicle emissions reduction group focussing on electric vehicles. We expect to see electric cars starting to arrive and being used in New Zealand between 2010 and 2015. The numbers will grow slowly at the start, but volumes will increase as supply increases and costs decrease. As production of electric vehicles ramps up internationally, the cost of the electric battery, which is the main driver of cost, can be expected to reduce markedly, and prices will come down. Labour will also build on our clean green electricity generation to develop partnerships with electric vehicle manufacturers. While it will be up to industry to develop electric vehicle technology, there is a role for government in establishing an environment that facilitates its uptake. Labour will plan for the introduction of a nationwide infrastructure to recharge electric vehicles. Electric vehicles used for local travel can be re-charged from the owners home. Vehicles used for longer distances, however, will need a supporting infrastructure of charging stations to enable recharging. We will need to work through a variety of issues about the public infrastructure required for people to charge their vehicles during a journey. The cost of the technology is likely to be expensive, especially for the sort of high voltage facilities that would allow shorter charging times. Questions about how these facilities will be funded, where they will be located and relevant health and safety issues will also need to be addressed. Major centres with an interest in electric vehicles such as California, London and Tokyo are likely to confront many of these challenges first and we will be able to learn from their experience. New Zealand could, however, be in a position to be the first country to set up a nationwide infrastructure for charging electric vehicles.
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Oil Resources: exploration and sale during transition

The measures set out in this policy will lessen our dependence on petroleum imports and make New Zealand more resilient to international oil price shocks. Kiwi consumers will enjoy lower transport costs. Today, however, oil remains the overwhelmingly dominant source of energy in the transport sector. Labour will continue to develop contingency plans for short- to medium-term management of Peak Conventional Oil. The world is in transition to a post-oil future. Developing our resources should not slow our internal transition but oil will continue to have an important role for some time to come. New Zealand has valuable resources which ought to be developed to our economic advantage. Labour will encourage exploration and ensure New Zealand benefits from our oil resources.
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Protecting and Enhancing our Environment
Labours Policy for the Environment
2008
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Introduction
Labour knows that New Zealands prosperity depends on long-term sustainability, not just for the benefit of our environment but also for our economy, society, culture and way of life. As Kiwis, we value clean air, clean water, open spaces and an environment in which we are able to make the most of our remarkable natural landscapes. Being good caretakers of our environment requires well-considered and robust initiatives developed in consultation with all those who have a stake in our clean, green reputation. Labours approach is based on partnership with all New Zealanders to find solutions to the challenges we face, to implement bold and innovative ideas and to take responsibility and action to protect our environment. Labours plan for the environment reflects an approach to the management of the most significant challenges of our time. Accordingly, Labour has developed major strategies in Climate Change, Energy, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, an approach that reflects our successful experience in managing change for positive outcomes. This policy reflects a real understanding of the many demands on our natural environment and takes into account other key policy areas. As New Zealands economy grows, so too does the pressure on our environment. It is a significant challenge to manage these pressures in a sustainable way without negatively impacting on our economy. Its a challenge we in Labour take very seriously. And were committed to working alongside all New Zealanders to ensure that our environment is not just protected for the future, but enhanced. High environmental standards are integral to New Zealands identity, social development and international competitiveness. Labour is committed to continuing to drive change to achieve and sustain standards of environmental quality that are among the best in the world.
Water
Water is crucial for New Zealands economic development and its quality is fundamental to our recreational lifestyle and health. Our ability to grow and sell primary produce is heavily reliant on a dependable supply of good quality water. We trade on our clean green image; it's what tourists love about this country and it offers us a competitive advantage in international markets which are increasingly clamouring for eco-friendly products and services. Strong Proven Leadership 203
We need to ensure water is used sustainably if coming generations are to enjoy the same quality of lifestyle we do. Through the Sustainable Water Programme of Action, we have developed effective and workable approaches to freshwater management, including issues such as water allocation and quality, through National Policy Statements and National Environmental Standards. A new drinking water standard came into effect in June 2008. A National Environmental Standard for Measurement of Water Takes has been drafted into regulation to help provide accurate information about water use so it can be better managed. We also consulted on a standard for setting ecological flows and water levels and those submissions will be considered before final policy decisions are made. This ecological standard is important to help manage the levels of water in rivers, ground water, lakes and wetlands to protect the unique habitats of our native animals and plants. Were also looking at how to improve our wastewater management. Failing wastewater systems such as septic tanks pollute our environment and impact on people's health. A discussion document on a proposed new national environmental standard for wastewater systems is now out for consultation. Given the central importance of freshwater resources to New Zealand and New Zealanders, we believe there is a need for clear central government policy that directs local government to implement measures to: address constraints on availability of freshwater address the effects of contaminant discharges address the issue of competing demands on freshwater resources ensure our freshwater meets the recreational expectations of New Zealanders ensure sustainable management of our freshwater is addressed at both a national and local level improve the integrated management of freshwater by territorial authorities, regional councils, and other stakeholders Labour will help local government implement a National Policy statement that aims to ensure our freshwater is of a swimmable standard by 2035. While National Policy Statements under the Resource Management Act (RMA) help raise the standard of our freshwater management, there is more work to be done. Levels of non-compliance with resource consent conditions and regional plan rules for dairy effluent management have marginally improved but a percentage of farmers are still letting us and their fellow farmers down. And its not just farmers that need to take care of New Zealands freshwater. The quality of water in both rural and urban Strong Proven Leadership 204
areas is declining. There is under-investment in infrastructure that would improve water monitoring. Of all the water allocated in this country, only a third is measured. Only a proportion of our 74 local authorities use water meters. Labour will retain local level decision-making on freshwater management while ensuring central government plays a national leadership role through: Investigating and implementing Hot-Spot National Policy Statements that provide guidance at a regional level on specific freshwater issues Investigating National Environmental Standards relating to the treatment of water affected by dairy farming Investigating better enforcement powers for non-compliance with RMA consent conditions and regional plan rules in regard to freshwater.
We believe that compliance, monitoring and enforcement should be an integral part of resource consent decisions when significant developments are being considered. If local rules and conditions are imposed but not properly monitored and enforced, they will have little effect. Labour recognises that part of managing our water resources is about managing water quality. Last year, Labour delivered a report on the state of New Zealands environment. It looked at the physical wellbeing of New Zealands land, water, air, plants and animals. It measured the impact of everyday human activity and identified trends and pressures on our natural resources. This report showed that while we have made significant improvements in some areas, we need to do better. Labour will develop and implement specific environmental indicators for freshwater as part of the work to develop national indicators. We will develop these indicators in consultation with local authorities, Mori, the public and all water users. We will report on the indicators to provide benchmarks for local government in their implementation of locally-focused policy on water quality issues. Labour believes that with national guidance and assistance to local areas experiencing pressure, and with enhanced and more comprehensive information about the challenges we face in managing water, we can achieve significant improvements to New Zealands freshwater resources.
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Oceans
Labour recognises the important physical relationship New Zealanders have with the marine environment. As with all our resources, both natural and man-made, we must ensure there is balance between exercising the opportunity those resources provide and the need to ensure they are protected for generations to come. Labour will legislate to help safeguard New Zealands ocean ecosystems by managing the environmental effects of currently unregulated activities in our Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). The legislation will set out new rules and a new consents regime for the EEZ. New controls are proposed to manage the currently unregulated environmental effects of existing activities (such as disturbance of the sea floor through mining and petroleum activities) and the effects of future new activities in the EEZ (such as marine farming, energy generation, carbon capture and storage). We believe it is necessary to implement an integrated and comprehensive framework for managing the marine environment, including the interface between the land and sea. Labours vision is for healthy oceans that are wisely managed. We believe it is necessary to ensure that a comprehensive framework exists to guide our use of the marine environment to ensure we manage it in a sustainable way.
Resource Management Act

The Resource Management Act plays a significant role in addressing our environmental challenges. It is the cornerstone of New Zealands environmental management. An important strength of the RMA is that it provides a robust process for managing the environmental impacts of activities to ensure resources are managed in a sustainable way. It allows for local solutions to local issues and concerns and for all environmental impacts to be considered together. It is world-leading in providing integrated management of resources. This is central to our work to improve the sustainable management of the natural resources that play such a critical role in New Zealands economy. Labour has implemented reforms to the RMA to reduce delays and costs and we are supporting local government and RMA practitioners to develop best practice to improve implementation.
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Labour is committed to helping local government, practitioners, and stakeholders strike the right balance between sustainably using our environment and protecting it for future generations. Labour will provide further guidance tools to local authorities on the RMA, building on the successful RMA FreeInfo line and RMA Everyday Guide CD Rom. The RMA continues to deliver positive outcomes for environmental management around New Zealand. Most resource consents are processed quickly and at reasonable cost - approximately 94 percent of consents are processed on a non-notified basis and 73 percent within required timeframes. Only 0.7 percent of consents are declined. Labours 2005 changes to the RMA were significant. They widened the opportunity for intervention on major development proposals of national significance. Changes were made to the call-in process whereby the Minister for the Environment makes a decision to call -in proposals of national significance so they can be referred either to a Board of Inquiry or directly to the Environment Court. The call-in combines local councils consideration and a potential Environment Court appeal into a single process while retaining public consultation. In both cases the final decision is made by either the court or the board, and not by government. This provides an important tool for reducing the costs and processing time of these significant applications. We believe there is an opportunity to improve the way the RMA and other legislation interacts and we believe that enhancements could be made to improve aspects of cross-over between different pieces of legislation. Labour will investigate opportunities for improving processes between the RMA and other legislation that will help reduce the time and cost of consent applications. Any changes to the RMA should be to ensure that significant projects that benefit communities and the economy can be approved within acceptable timeframes while ensuring the publics views are fully considered. Although 73 percent of consents are processed within required timeframes, there is still room for improvement. We believe there is further opportunity to investigate whether local authorities could speed the process further in some specific instances. Labour will investigate, report on and implement clear criteria to enable local authorities to fast-track Resource Management Act applications where appropriate. Labour is committed to a consultative approach to decision-making that gives all members of the community a voice. We will keep this as a cornerstone of the RMA process. Strong Proven Leadership 207
Waste
Labour has a vision for New Zealand as a sustainable nation. Part of this is about how we as a country deal with waste right from the beginning of the life of a product through to its eventual disposal. In government, Labour supported, adopted and passed the Waste Minimisation Act. The passage of this new legislation will help change the way we deal with waste. Labour wants to encourage New Zealanders to deal with waste in a smarter, more coordinated way so that we are using our resources sustainably. This legislation is a valuable first step. The focus of our work on reducing waste goes beyond reducing the amount of rubbish we throw away. We believe that we must offer economic incentives and rewards so that businesses, councils and the public will find that reducing waste has a number of potential benefits. Reducing waste can help save money because less material is used in the production of goods in the first place. It can also help New Zealand reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and provide new business opportunities. Labour recognises that central government needs to provide clearer direction on how to minimise waste and on the balance to be struck between waste and recyclables. This work represents a major step forward in our thinking about waste and is both realistic and far-reaching. We believe more emphasis could be applied to front-of-pipe solutions by focusing on how we can reduce the potential for waste at the very beginning of production and design. Labour will implement enhancements to product stewardship schemes to reduce waste and encourage ways to commercialise waste where there is a potential market. We need to encourage the most effective use of materials so there is less waste generated from the production process rather than just managing the waste that comes from it. A key part of the waste minimisation programme Labour will deliver this term will be to make producers, importers, retailers, consumers and other parties take responsibility for the environmental effects of their products in a cradle-to-grave approach. This has the potential to greatly improve how we deal with some of the more difficult wastes such as electronic goods. The work will be two-fold. Firstly, by implementing enhancements to product stewardship schemes. Along with this, we believe that work must be done to drive innovation in the development of new technologies and processes to help reduce waste in the development of products, particularly around electronic waste. Strong Proven Leadership 208
Labour will investigate new technologies and processes to assist with the management and disposal of e-waste. Labour believes a broad approach is necessary when addressing waste issues, not only through product stewardship and new technologies and processes but also to ensure New Zealand has an effective system of management for the disposal of hazardous waste. Labour will ensure that policy and practice for the management and disposal of hazardous waste is monitored and reported on and, where appropriate, enhancements implemented. We believe this approach will deliver sustainable waste management that can be both maximised for commercial opportunity and help reduce our impact on the environment. We must also address everyday waste because although we will deliver strategies to deal with waste in general, it is the small actions of all New Zealanders that result in the best outcomes.
Air Quality
Air quality, along with the quality of our whole environment, is important to the health of kiwis. New Zealand has relatively good air quality due to our low population density, close proximity to the sea, and remoteness from other continents and sources of pollution. However, there are areas (mostly urban) around New Zealand where concentrations of air pollution are quite high, especially during low wind conditions where there is high traffic density and where home heating is mainly by open fires or wood burners. As our population, standard of living and urban areas increase, air pollution could get worse if we dont take action. The quality of the air we breathe, which we often take for granted, may be threatened. Labour introduced National Environmental Standards for Air Quality in 2004. These must be in place by 2013 in all parts of New Zealand and we estimate that by 2020, 625 deaths will have been prevented because of improved air quality. Labour will continue to assist regional councils to implement the National Environmental Standards for Air Quality by: Enhancing the Warm Homes Strategy to encourage homeowners to install alternative energy-efficiency measures and cleaner sources of home heating
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Continuing to further reduce the amount and toxicity of vehicle emissions.
New Zealand has one of the highest rates of car ownership in the world and a relatively aged vehicle fleet. We have been working hard to modernise our fleet and set higher standards regarding the amount and toxicity of vehicle emissions but we also need to investigate how to reduce emissions in other key sectors of the economy. Agriculture is undoubtedly one of New Zealands key economic drivers. However, our agricultural industry must also take responsibility for its carbon emissions. We believe there is potential to tap into new technology for the agricultural sector, to be innovative in our production processes so we can reduce the impact of farming on the environment while also maximising the agricultural potential. Labour will investigate new technologies and systems for reducing the toxicity produced through agricultural manufacturing processes. We believe there is opportunity for local authorities to take leadership in reducing emissions in their local area. Emissions reduction programmes with a local focus are one step towards reducing our total impact on the environment, particularly on the air we breathe. Labour will develop tools for local authorities that will assist in the development and implementation of emissions reduction programmes.
Sustainability
Labour recognises New Zealands future prosperity depends on long-term sustainability, not only in the environment but also the economy, society, culture and our way of life. Like all economically developed nations, New Zealand is contributing to global climate change. It is Labours aspiration for New Zealand to become a carbon neutral nation that takes full responsibility for its greenhouse gas emissions. We need to be bold in our commitment to sustainability to protect New Zealands reputation as a country with a clean environment that has smart and innovative people and inclusive communities and that is also attractive to investors and visitors. We believe more can be done in government and in business so that New Zealand becomes more sustainable. We need to address issues around water supply and quality, deal more effectively and efficiently with our waste and ensure New Zealanders are breathing clean air. Strong Proven Leadership 210
Labour believes government must set the standard and take a leadership role on sustainability. We will focus on the development of better business practice with clear criteria around how businesses can operate sustainably. Labour will establish measurable standards and will encourage leadership of sustainable practice across the public sector. Using the development of sustainable business practice across the public sector, we believe it will be possible to establish benchmarks and standards for businesses wishing to work with government agencies to provide goods and services. Labour will implement a programme within government that: Establishes benchmarks and standards for what sustainable businesses look like Modifies the government contract tendering system to identify green businesses that comply with those benchmarks and standards and which want to tender for government contracts
Labour recognises and values the role Environment Centres play in providing advice and guidance to their local communities and in bringing people together to take action in their local area to protect and enhance the environment. Centres also provide valuable assistance to local authorities implementing local and regional plans. Labour will investigate further assistance for Environment Centres to help deliver guidance and leadership on sustainable business practice within their communities. We believe that by working across government, encouraging businesses to innovate and become more sustainable and by supporting Environment Centres to provide guidance and assistance within communities, we will enhance New Zealands level of sustainable practice.
Genetic Modification
In July 2001, the Royal Commission on genetic modification (GM) reported to the government on the issues surrounding genetic modification in New Zealand. The commission recommended a precautionary approach whereby New Zealands unique environment would be protected but future options to take advantage of this new science would not be closed off. Labour endorsed that approach. Labour will retain zero tolerance of unapproved GM organisms.
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Labour in government has moved to strengthen New Zealands management of GM organisms. Our management and legislation in this area is recognised as being some of the most robust and stringent in the world. We believe it is necessary to enhance accountability and traceability relating to genetically modified organisms to protect New Zealands unique environment. Work has been undertaken to increase certainty around the ability of non-GM producers to maintain GM-free production and to enable identification of their products as such. We have moved to implement an open register of GM crops and location controls for GM crops and organisms. Labour will implement: A new segregation and traceability regime for genetically modified crops An enhanced public register of non-compliance with genetic modification controls A mandatory labelling of genetically modified propagation material at the point of sale.
Labour believes enhancing accountability and transparency allows New Zealand to take a precautionary approach while preserving our ability to take advantage of future opportunities. We believe these enhancements will add to our credibility as a market supplier of high quality, GM-free products in a world that is increasingly demanding such products.
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Growing through Diversity
Labours Policy for Ethnic Affairs
2008
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Introduction
Labour recognises there are significant advantages in New Zealand being an inclusive, tolerant and multicultural nation. Ethnic diversity can benefit all spheres of our lives. Increased ethnic diversity also brings challenges. These include ensuring that ethnic communities have a sense of belonging in New Zealand and can play a part in the decisions that affect their lives, and maintaining our reputation as a peaceful and cohesive country. New Zealand competes internationally for skilled and talented migrants. These people have the knowledge, experience and connections that are vital for driving and sustaining our economic growth. Migrants also help to build strong and cohesive communities and enrich New Zealands cultural and social landscape with new perspectives, energy, colour and vitality. Meeting the challenges of diversity requires vision, leadership, and collaboration across all sectors of society including government, the private sector, and society as a whole. Since appointing the first Minister for Ethnic Affairs in 1999, Labour has worked to promote a strong and self-directed ethnic sector. Through the Office of Ethnic Affairs, it has ensured the interests of ethnic communities in decision-making and enhanced access to essential public services through the introduction of Language Line. We have brought the festivals of Diwali and Chinese New Year to Parliament, alongside other traditional holidays. Today, ethnic New Zealanders are found in all occupations, regions, and walks of life. It is important that host societies are prepared for the changes that ethnic diversity brings. That contributes to a climate of understanding and helps break down barriers between communities. Similarly, migrants need to be equipped for the changes that they and their families will experience as they settle and integrate into New Zealand society. We have to draw on international best practice as well as the views and experiences of ethnic New Zealanders to ensure that we have one of the best settlement programmes in the world. Labour is committed to building on its achievements over the last decade to ensure that New Zealand maximises the strengths and benefits of ethnic diversity, and remains a country of understanding and respect for all of its people. We will continue to enhance the settlement of new migrants and help all New Zealanders to seize the opportunities a more diverse population brings.
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Settlement
Settlement programmes generally do a good job introducing new migrants to the reality of life in New Zealand. However, adapting to life in a new country is always a challenge. A stronger emphasis on programmes that support non-working family members to adapt to life in this country and the inevitable adaptation of their cultural practices will assist new migrants to settle more quickly into life in New Zealand. Labour will continue to strengthen New Zealands settlement policies to ensure they cater to the diverse needs of the range of new New Zealanders settling here. Knowledge of the history, culture and traditions of ethnic communities resident in New Zealand assists in positive settlement, guards against discrimination and prejudice and enables the benefits of an ethnically diverse society to be available to everyone. Labour will make information about the experiences, customs and practices of ethnic communities more widely available. Schools are often the first place that newly settled migrants and other New Zealanders come into contact with each other. International experience has shown that it is particularly important to help the children of migrants to successfully integrate as they can often feel a greater sense of alienation than their parents who have connections in the workforce and with other migrants. Diversity is embodied as a core value in our new school curriculum and it is important that schools are better supported to adapt to the wider range of cultural backgrounds that pupils now come from. Labour will develop a school liaison function within the Office of Ethnic Affairs.
Supporting Ethnic Communities

Ethnic festivals are now a colourful part of our national life and provide a much appreciated opportunity for all New Zealanders to learn about other cultures. Most festivals rely on the volunteer effort and the fundraising skills of committed community members. In some cities local authorities also partner with ethnic organisations to stage major festivals. Enhancing these partnerships in other centres would enable more New Zealanders to experience Diwali (the Indian festival of lights), Eid (the end of Ramadan), Chinese New Year and other festivals. Labour will establish a Community Festivals Fund which will assist communities to stage events showcasing their cultures to the wider community. Strong Proven Leadership 216
Almost a quarter of New Zealands population (23 per cent in 2006) were born overseas and the composition of our ethnic communities is changing, with Asian Kiwis in particular growing in numbers and as a proportion of overall population. Changes to seasonal employment policies and skill and labour shortages are also seeing growth in ethnic communities in regional New Zealand. Labour will expand the Office of Ethnic Affairs advisory services to regional communities with growing ethnic populations. Many new migrants have well established networks in their home countries which New Zealand could better utilise as we seek to develop new international relationships and market opportunities. Labour will work to use the knowledge and connections members of ethnic communities have with their countries of origin to help enhance New Zealands relationships with those countries in trade and cultural matters. Government services are now more responsive to New Zealands growing ethnic diversity. For example, police have appointed ethnic liaison officers, more than 100,000 calls have been handled by the free-to-user telephone interpreting service, Language Line, and the Office of Ethnic Affairs ensures the interests of ethnic communities are taken into account when policy decisions are taken across government. Formalising the somewhat ad hoc contact that now exists between ethnic communities and core government agencies will better ensure connections between citizens and the public service. Labour will formalise regular consultation involving the Office of Ethnic Affairs, Department of Labour, the Ministry of Social Development and the Police with emerging migrant communities in major urban and provincial centres.
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Conserving Restoring and Harvesting
Labours Policy for Fisheries
2008
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Introduction
Labour understands fisheries are important to New Zealanders economically, socially, culturally and environmentally. New Zealand has the fourth-largest Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the world and fishing is a major activity within it. The commercial seafood industry, including aquaculture, is New Zealands fifth-largest export earner. Culturally and socially, fishing plays a central role in New Zealands way of life. Our traditional love of the outdoors, combined with relatively easy access to the sea and foreshore, means recreational and customary fishing has been highly valued by generations of New Zealanders. Managing the fisheries resource for all Kiwis is at the heart of Labours fisheries policy. The policy aims to balance the competing priorities of commercial, recreational, and customary fishers with ensuring that stocks are sustainable and our marine environment protected. Labour believes the voices of all sectors within fisheries must be heard if we are to achieve a collaborative approach to the protection of our fisheries so they are available for future generations. Labour will also continue to encourage growth and innovation within our fishing industry.
Fisheries Management and Enforcement

Labour substantially completed introduction of commercially-important aquatic species to the Quota Management System (QMS) and extended coverage of the system to highly-migratory species beyond New Zealand waters, such as tuna. Labour believes the system protects the rights of all New Zealanders to fish and take shellfish to feed their families while at the same time protecting valued fisheries. Labour will provide leadership for fisheries management including in the key areas of enforcement and fisheries research. Science and research play a vital role in management of our fish stocks. We need to understand the marine environment and the impact human activity has on it, not only for sustainable management of stocks but for the marine environment as a whole. Labour will maintain and increase investment in marine research. Differing views over allocation and conservation have been a part of fisheries since fisheries law was first developed in New Zealand. Labour has sought to minimise and eliminate expensive conflict in fisheries by facilitating dialogue both between and among competing interests. Learning from the success of the Ministerial Recreational Advisory panel, we intend to extend this co-operative approach to other sectors.
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Labour will develop a more co-operative relationship with commercial and recreational fishers, tangata whenua and other stakeholders, and facilitate self-management where appropriate. Labour has focused on stopping the illegal harvest and trade (especially export) of high-value species such as paua and rock lobster, including the creation of a covert special tactics team within fisheries compliance. We have also stepped up initiatives to combat destructive fishing practices and illegal, unregulated or unreported (IUU) fishing on the high seas and in shared fisheries. Labour will improve coverage of independent fisheries observers on fishing vessels where there is a need for better compliance or where there are information gaps on the environmental effects of fishing. We will also develop electronic monitoring for smaller vessels. Labour will continue to improve the enforcement effort by, for example, providing the capacity to investigate more complex offending, streamlining co-operation between different agencies and increasing maritime and aerial patrolling of fisheries. Labour will improve fisheries enforcement, support the honorary fisheries officer network, assist hapu and iwi to undertake fisheries management roles and increase monitoring of, and observers on, fishing vessels.
Sustainable Fisheries
We will continue to champion sustainable fisheries and a precautionary approach when setting catch limits. Labour will continue to ensure the environmental principles of the Fisheries Act are applied throughout fisheries management. Labour will continue to ensure a comprehensive and pro-active approach to managing the environmental effects of fishing, and do so on an ecosystem basis. Land run-off and land use has the potential to adversely affect our fisheries. Land development around the coast and pastoral farming can contribute to sedimentation of the marine area which suffocates shellfish beds and reduces water quality for other species. Labour wants to continue efforts to reduce the effect of land use on the marine environment. Labour will continue to support Ministry of Fisheries to advocate through Resource Management Act processes to protect inshore fisheries threatened by sedimentation and pollution from the land.
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Recreational Use of Fisheries

Labour will ensure that recreational use of fisheries is fully protected. Labour established a recreational fishing ministerial advisory panel to advise on strategic issues affecting recreational fishers and to set up a network of regional recreational fishing forums to provide recreational fishers with knowledge of, and input into, fisheries management processes. Labour will build on and strengthen the regional recreational fishing forums. The heart of any fisheries management system is information. Information on the recreational catch has historically been sparse and there has been a need for more accurate and extensive data both to determine the nature and extent of recreational fishing. Labour will improve information on the nature and extent of recreational fishers fishing activities in significant recreational fisheries, and ensure that this information is made available to recreational fishing organisations. Labour recognises the desire of recreational fishers to have ready access to resources. Labour also recognises the desire of recreational fishers to have some hope of catching the trophy fish. This means that in some fisheries, total allowable catches could be set at lower levels than might otherwise be the case. Labour will work to enhance the quality of recreational fishing, including, where appropriate, managing some recreational species above, or significantly above, Maximum Sustainable Yield (the level of fish stock which allows maximum catch without compromising sustainability) to ensure better catch rates and larger fish.
Commercial Fisheries
Labour will continue to work with stakeholders to make fisheries management processes more efficient and effective, including fisheries research and stock assessment, cost recovery rules, the setting and use of deemed values and the operation of the annual catch entitlement market. We have facilitated the development of the aquaculture industry strategy Our Blue Horizons, and invested in innovation to develop value-added seafood and marine products through New Zealand Fast Forward and other initiatives. The $700 million Fast Forward Fund, to be matched by private funding, was introduced by Labour to substantially boost research in the food and pastoral sectors to help grow internationally-competitive firms. Labour will work with industry to ensure continued growth and innovation in the seafood sector and to improve the sustainable Strong Proven Leadership 223
economic performance of the sector with emphasis on value-added processing for the benefit of New Zealanders. Labour recognises the marine environment is harsh on fishing gear and equipment and that innovation and investment in technology is crucial in the processing sector. Labour will review investment and depreciation provisions for fishing and aquaculture activities to ensure that they are appropriate. Labour recognises the need to permit foreign vessels and foreign labour to assist in the industry where New Zealand does not have the skills and capital. Labour also believes that granting this privilege to the industry should not undermine the position of domestic vessels and labour. Labour will encourage maximum participation by New Zealanders in our fisheries and seafood processing at New Zealand rates of pay and conditions of work. The New Zealand aquaculture industry has huge potential to contribute to our economy and to ensure we produce seafood that is sustainable and environmentallyfriendly. Labour remains committed to development of Aquaculture Management Areas around New Zealand and will continue to facilitate development of the industry. Labour will review, and put in place enhancements to, processes and requirements for the establishment of aquaculture management areas to remove any unnecessary barriers to their establishment. By their nature, reforms and developments in aquaculture are relatively complex and Labour recognises that Territorial Authorities and Stakeholders will need some assistance and leadership in making them work. Labour will continue to work with industry, local government and other stakeholders to implement the aquaculture reforms and help the aquaculture industry reach its potential in an environmentally-sustainable way consistent with ecosystem-based management.
Protecting our Ocean Resources

Many different groups have a high level of interest in our marine areas. These include commercial fishers filling orders for export markets, local recreational fishers and conservationists and scientists investigating marine species. It also includes iwi. With so many groups, forging agreement on which areas should be protected remains a challenge.
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But our approach is changing. Communities deserve a say in where and what marine protection is proposed. In the past, protection has been fragmented and ad hoc. Now we are moving forward with a more collaborative approach, using a range of options such as trawling and dredging bans as well as marine reserves and other protective measures. Labour will implement a network of marine reserves and other protected areas for the protection of marine biodiversity with the aim of having 10 percent of our marine environment in some form of protection. Labour values our status as a world leader in protecting threatened species, and this extends to the sea. A plan to halt the decline of the Maui and Hectors Dolphins, the worlds rarest marine dolphins, is now underway. We will be vigilant over species that are under threat and act as necessary. Labour will monitor the effectiveness of existing marine mammal sanctuaries and support the development of further protective measures or sanctuaries as necessary. However other species, including sea-lions, albatross, and other sea birds remain at risk from commercial fishing-related threats. Labour will work to achieve further reductions in fisheries by-catch of marine mammals and seabirds, including through the use of mandatory targets and mitigation measures. While we implement change to protect our marine environment, Labour has strongly backed international efforts to ensure the worlds whale populations continue to be protected from commercial fishing. After a century of exploitation, some populations are only just beginning to recover. Labour will work through international organisations to achieve stronger protection for whales, to end scientific whaling and to advance the South Pacific Whale Sanctuary.
International Initiatives
We will promote the development of effective Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs) under UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea), including RFMOs for the Tasman Sea and South Pacific, to achieve sustainable ecosystem-based management of oceans and fisheries and protection of the marine environment.
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We will work to reduce environmental pressures caused by subsidies that promote over-capacity and over-exploitation, and remove trade barriers to sustainablyproduced seafood products. We will advocate the development of a network of marine reserves and other marine protected areas around Antarctica, especially in the Ross Sea, and the restriction of fishing activity to levels appropriate for the sensitive nature of the Antarctic environment and its important scientific and wilderness values.
Mori Customary Rights

Labour enacted the Mori Fisheries Act 2004 and settled Mori commercial aquaculture interests, providing the platform for allocation to iwi of fisheries and aquaculture assets. While these commercial asset claims and distributions are largely settled, progress on the implementation of customary claims for iwi and hapu has not been as fast. Labour will continue to implement the Mori customary fishing regulations. Iwi have a special stake in the protection and sustainable use of our marine life. This must also be recognised and provided for within the network of protected areas. Labour recognises the ability to manage valued inshore fisheries and traditional shellfish-gathering areas is important to Mori. The development of taiapure and mtaitai reserves also contributes to the overall management of important local fisheries. Labour will facilitate the development of taiapure and mtaitai reserves to enhance the sustainability of kai moana and to complement marine reserves.
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Enhancing and Protecting our Food Sector
Labours policy for Food Safety
2008
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Introduction
A trusted reputation for safe and suitable food is integral to New Zealands social and economic development. Labours food safety vision is for an effective, risk-based regulatory framework to ensure our food is safe for consumption and meets the requirements of our domestic and overseas markets. Labour believes regulation needs to be appropriate for the risk it addresses. We are committed to reducing compliance costs for business and will ensure traditional kiwi activities, like sausage sizzles, pot luck events, school or sports club fundraisers and community fairs will be free from unnecessary regulation. Labour will protect and foster our food sector as a vital part of New Zealands economy: food product and food ingredient export revenue earns New Zealand over $15 billion per annum; the food sector represents more than 50 percent of total merchandise exports from New Zealand; New Zealands food sector accounts for at least 10 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Safe and Suitable Food

Food production is of central importance to the New Zealand economy. Food exports comprise almost 50 percent of our export income so New Zealand's economic growth depends on our reputation as a producer and exporter of safe food. Likewise, New Zealand consumers expect their food to be safe. Labour is committed to a responsive and responsible approach to food safety issues, maintaining our reputation for quality and protecting consumers from unsafe food. Labour will maintain a world-class, risk-based framework to tackle food safety issues. Labour is committed to having a world-class, risk-based approach to food safety. We want to ensure that any regulation is appropriate for the risk it addresses so that compliance costs are kept as low as possible. In adopting a responsive and responsible evidence-based approach to food safety, it is essential to apply precaution when faced with scientific uncertainty. Strong Proven Leadership 229
Labour will set ambitious targets to reduce foodborne illness. Labour is committed to reducing our high rates of foodborne illness. We aim to reduce the costs to the health system and to employers through time off work for illness caused by food. A challenge we face is reducing the high rates of campylobacter in New Zealand. Work already undertaken shows promising results. Labour will build on this. Labour will assist the food industry to reach its full potential with a smart, enabling and cost-effective regulatory system. New Zealand has innovative businesses that want to develop and sell new, highquality, niche products. For consumers to have confidence in the quality and safety of these products, and for the products to have access to world markets, standards are essential. We will support business innovation by developing standards for new foods and technologies. Food is a key research area. We are encouraging research through tax credits for research and development undertaken by business. Labour is committed to minimising compliance costs wherever possible. Labour will support New Zealand's reputation as a trustworthy food producer. Labour recognises the importance of our international reputation as a trustworthy food producer. To do this we must be able to provide genuine and reliable assurance to our export markets of the safety and suitability of our premium and innovative food products. Labour will support our Pacific neighbours to put in place internationally benchmarked food safety systems. We will partner with our Pacific neighbours to help them build capacity and expertise in food safety management and support them to have a voice in international standard setting forums.
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Securing New Zealands Independent Voice in the World
Labours Policy for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Official Development Assistance
2008
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Introduction
Under Labour New Zealand has strengthened its reputation internationally as a country which thinks independently, has strong values and, notwithstanding our small size, makes a significant contribution to the world community as a good international citizen. Our vision is of a world which is peaceful, stable and secure, prosperous, democratic and socially just. We believe the path to achieve this must first and foremost be a multilateral one, working through and seeking to improve organisations such as the United Nations and World Trade Organisation. Our aim is to create an international system which is rules-based rather than one where countries impose their will on others by virtue of their size and power. We are committed to acting collectively to deal with problems which increasingly transcend national boundaries. Our first priority is our immediate neighbourhood, the South Pacific. It is our priority area for development assistance. We are committed to working with the New Zealand Pacific community to develop our policies in the region, and to involve civil society through the work of organisations such as the Pacific Cooperation Foundation and the Pacific/NZ Business Council. We will continue to work closely with traditional friends with whom we share common institutions, values and objectives including Australia, the European Union and the United States. And we will give priority to reaching out to, and working together with, countries in the wider region of the Asia-Pacific which is increasingly important to us economically and politically.
Peacekeeping and Conflict Resolution

Under a Labour-led government, New Zealand has: successfully concluded peacekeeping operations in Bosnia and Bougainville deployed effective peacekeeping operations in 13 countries involving over 400 men and women currently played a key role in peacekeeping operations in Timor Leste, the Solomons and Bamyan, Afghanistan where we have helped ensure security, stability and 233
progress in development. We also played a significant role in restoring order after the civil unrest in Tonga. made a tangible contribution as a good international citizen winning a reputation for effective and competent peacekeeping
Labour will ensure New Zealand plays a leading role in peacemaking and conflict resolution, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. We want to build on New Zealands reputation as a fair and independent voice in world affairs to be a country that can help prevent conflict and build a sustainable base for enduring peace. Labour will continue to contribute peacekeepers to United Nationsendorsed peacekeeping missions, with a particular focus on our responsibilities in the Pacific. We will back Defence Force participation that is necessary for security and stabilisation, work actively with host countries to assist with development and address the causes of conflict. We will also develop New Zealands capacity both within government agencies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, New Zealand Defence Force, Police and NZAID, and in New Zealand civil society to play a proactive role in conflict resolution and international mediation. Labour will work in cooperation with universities and non-government organisations to support the Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies to provide analysis, support and training for increasing New Zealands role in conflict resolution and international mediation. We will work actively with Pacific nations to support conflict resolution training for leaders and emerging leaders in the Pacific. We will also support and further develop the role already being played effectively by New Zealand in inter-faith dialogue and the alliance of civilizations.
Disarmament
Under a Labour-led government, New Zealand has: put our principles into practice and maintained New Zealands status as a proudly nuclear free country
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played an important role as part of the New Agenda Coalition at the forefront of pushing for nuclear disarmament, strengthening the Nuclear NonProliferation Treaty, bringing into force the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty and introducing a Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty led an initiative with the UN First Committee to de-alert / lower the operational readiness of nuclear weapons systems worked as a leading member of the Oslo group to conclude a legally binding instrument to ban cluster munitions which will be signed by over 100 countries this December
Labour will increase its engagement with like-minded countries to press for ending the failure of current multilateral discussions in Geneva to progress nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. This includes: ensuring the success of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Review Conference in 2010 in taking the steps agreed in 2000 towards nuclear disarmament taking nuclear weapons off high alert status pushing for deep reductions in the stockpile of current nuclear weapons prohibiting the production of fissile material for nuclear weapons working with the G8 Global partnership to secure all Weapons of Mass Destructionrelated material and equipment from theft and acquisition by terrorists taking effective steps to prevent further proliferation of nuclear weapons by countries such as North Korea and Iran preventing the expansion of the arms race into space working towards the ultimate outlawing of all nuclear weapons, while using the most effective tactical means to secure that objective by focusing on step by step progress towards it completing the implementation of nuclear weapons free zones achieving universal compliance with Chemical and Biological Weapons Conventions 235
Multilateralism
Labour will work with other countries to reform international financial institutions and systems to tackle the causes of the worlds current financial crisis, preventing the extravagance, recklessness and greed which have contributed to the crisis and creating a system which demonstrates greater transparency, integrity and responsibility. We will continue to support the United Nations as the pre-eminent global forum for resolving international disputes and finding solutions to global problems
Climate Change and Sustainability

Under a Labour-led government, New Zealand has: committed New Zealand as a leader in promoting a sustainable economy and environment and to working for an effective international and national response to climate change this year, at the request of the UN, New Zealand hosted World Environment Day played an active role in last years Bali climate change conference became one of the first countries to introduce an Emissions Trading Scheme which covers all sectors of the economy led research on livestock methane emissions and abatement
Labour will actively engage in efforts to achieve a comprehensive post2012 agreement on climate change with New Zealand playing a leadership role at home and internationally. We will work multilaterally to promote sustainable resource use and conservation of global natural resources.
Trade
Under a Labour-led government, New Zealand has played a leadership role in the WTO, chairing the Agriculture Negotiating Committee and participating in the core Ministerial Green Room negotiating group. We have also:
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allowed duty free / quota free entry to New Zealand from least developed countries continued to develop the Closer Economic Relationship with Australia towards a single economic market become the first OECD country to negotiate a high quality and comprehensive free trade agreement with the worlds fastest growing economy, China concluded a free trade agreement with Asean and Australia which covers all items of trade interest with Asean, collectively our third largest export market
We initiated negotiations with the United States to join our high quality P4 free trade agreement which will become the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement. This agreement will be expanded to cover other countries and has the potential to become the worlds most important pluri-lateral free trade agreement. Labour will press for a rules-based, multilateral global trading system which is free, fair and transparent. We will maintain as our priority a conclusion to the Doha Round of the World Trade Organisation, seeking a liberalised and fair trading environment for agricultural goods in particular and outcomes to enhance development prospects in the developing world Labour will complete free trade negotiations between the P4 (New Zealand, Chile, Singapore, Brunei) nations and the United States, and build upon the resulting Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement giving other countries the ability to join an agreement which is high quality, comprehensive and inclusive. We will also develop further the Closer Economic Relationship between Australia and New Zealand into a Single Economic Market Labour will bring into effect as soon as possible the Free Trade Agreement between Australia, New Zealand and the Asean Countries. We will continue to seek high quality, World Trade Organisation-consistent, bilateral trade agreements with priority given to the Republic of Korea, Japan, Malaysia and India or to achieve similar high quality outcomes through the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement Labour will develop the Pacific Area Closer Economic Relationship with Pacific Forum countries mindful of the need for PACER to be consistent with development assistance objectives of both the Forum countries and New Zealand.
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Labour created New Zealand Trade and Enterprise as a trade promotion and capacitybuilding organisation which this year won the award for the Worlds best trade promotion organisation at the World Trade Promotion Organisation Labour will work through New Zealand Trade and Enterprise to strengthen programmes for export promotion and capacity building which are WTO consistent.
Official Development Assistance

Under a Labour-led government, New Zealand has: doubled the level of Official Development Assistance (ODA) from under $250 million to $520 million, increasing it as a percentage of Gross National Income (GNI) from 0.2% to 0.3%. Aid will reach over $622 million by 2010 or .35% of GNI. established NZAID as semi-autonomous development assistance organization with a clear goal of poverty elimination directed that NZAID should have a core focus on the Pacific and the agency has been steadily increasing the proportion of ODA to the region to over 50% of total ODA and 80% of all bilateral aid taken measures to ensure the increasing effectiveness of aid such as harmonisation with other donors and improving accountability and alignment with local needs and priorities.
Labour will work towards the achievement of 0.7% of Gross National Income in development assistance, reaching the mid-point of 0.35% by 2010. We will continue to focus on the Pacific as a priority area for New Zealands development assistance with priority given to achieving economic growth and improved livelihoods, strengthening governance, improving education and health and improving capabilities to manage conflict, respect human rights and sustainably manage natural resources Labour will take further measures to increase the effectiveness of our ODA, through ensuring ownership by developing countries of their development process, aligning our assistance with their needs and priorities, harmonising New Zealand development assistance with that of other donors, ensuring that the assistance has tangible and positive impacts and working with recipient countries to ensure shared accountability and responsibilities for the effectiveness of the aid. Strong Proven Leadership 238
Labour will work with the international community towards the achievement of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals.
Human Rights
Under a Labour-led government, New Zealand has: consistently promoted human rights both in bilateral relationships and in multilateral forums spoken out against human rights abuses in countries like Myanmar and Zimbabwe chaired and helped pass the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities
Labour will work bilaterally and in multilateral forums to condemn human rights abuses, promote respect for human rights and strive to implement universally the ideals of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. We will promote the rights of women internationally, including access to education and health services, including sexual and reproductive health. We will also maintain our intake of refugees and ensure that they are given the support necessary to make a successful transition to life in New Zealand.
Furthering New Zealands Relationships

Under a Labour-led government, New Zealand has: worked closely with the countries of the Pacific Forum to promote progress, stability and sustainability in the Pacific worked bilaterally across Asia-Pacific and through organisations such as APEC, the Asean Regional Forum and the East Asia Summit to promote a more integrated, stable and secure region worked with traditional friends and allies to deal with trans-boundary issues such as people and drug smuggling, terrorism and security concerns
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Labour will give priority to strengthening cooperative relationships with our Pacific Island neighbours, including through the Pacific Island Forum and the Pacific Plan with the objective of promoting social and economic development, sustainability, stability and good governance. We will increase our links and involvement in the Asia Pacific area to promote a more integrated, stable and secure region. We will strengthen our political, economic and environmental cooperation with traditional and like-minded friends such as Australia, the UK and US, Canada, Norway and the European Union. Labour will explore and develop new relationships with regions such as Latin America, Central Europe and Russia, and Africa including, where appropriate, through arrangements such as trade cooperation, working holiday schemes, film cooperation agreements, and people to people relationships.
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A forestry sector for the benefit of New Zealands economy and environment
Labours policy for Forestry
2008
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Introduction
New Zealand needs a strong, viable and expanding forest estate and associated processing sector that contributes to the continued growth of a sustainable, knowledge-based economy. Forestry is New Zealands fourth-largest export earner. It is a diverse sector and includes large corporate plantations along with smaller, privately and publicly owned forests. By definition, forests must cover at least one hectare. Our forests are found on farms and lifestyle blocks as well as large plantations. While radiata pine and Douglas Fir dominate current plantations, many other species, including indigenous varieties, are being grown. Labour will continue existing policies which assist the industry by ensuring training for industry personnel and adequate infrastructure of road and rail for harvesting the future wood volumes New Zealand forests will produce over the next few years. Labour will continue to develop the sustainable wood campaign as well as develop new measures to both strengthen the economics of forestry and recognise the many non-commercial benefits of forests including carbon sequestration, flood and erosion mitigation and protection of water quality and biodiversity. The initial Kyoto Protocol negotiating round recognised the relevance of forests to climate change but the rules it imposed in 1997 were unsatisfactory. Labour is committed to achieving fairer rules based on sound science as the basis for New Zealands domestic policies.
Using our Land to Achieve Economic Growth while Protecting the Environment
Integrated land use
Labour will encourage integrated land use approaches involving farmers and foresters, regional councils and tertiary educational institutions. Government agencies and regional councils will then work closely with landowners to identify land suitable for growing trees while at the same time ensuring we use our productive land for agriculture. Labour will use a range of incentive schemes, building on the current Afforestation Grant Scheme and the Hill Country Erosion Scheme, to persuade landowners to plant suitable land in appropriate tree species, either for harvest or as permanent forest sinks. City investors may become involved, providing useful capital. A Labour Government will consult with relevant tertiary institutions over the development of the land use strategy to provide the necessary knowledge and an Strong Proven Leadership 243
awareness of the advantages of such an integrated approach for skills development and expansion among future farmers and foresters. Labour will prepare an integrated land use strategy to ensure both cross- sector support for the strategy and public understanding of it.
Changing planting patterns

Labour recognises the need to move beyond the stop go planting patterns of the last twenty years and promote steady rates of sustainable planting. This will help ensure a continuous log supply, a stable workforce and steady sequestration of carbon dioxide. Government agencies will be asked to monitor planting rates and make this information available. Regional Councils will have a key role in assisting sustainable planting at the local level. The three current Afforestation grants schemes, the forestry provisions of the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) and the Permanent Forest Sink Initiative (PFSI) will separately or in combination provide incentives for this planting approach. The detail of the Afforestation schemes and who may access them will be reviewed in 2010 and modified if necessary. However, the position of those using the various schemes will be safeguarded by ensuring that those entering a scheme in the expectation of receiving a grant for a specific period have their rights preserved even if the rules change. Labour will strengthen the Climate Change Plan of Action and work with forestry interests, farming interests, Maori and local bodies to encourage steady rates of sustainable planting.
Exploring alternative tree species

Labour will reinforce and expand existing initiatives of Scion and Future Forests Research Ltd to develop alternative plantation tree species. The expansion of the existing programme will cover both exotic and indigenous species. There are at least six exotic species which could be researched: blackwoods, cypresses, Douglas fir, some eucalypts, poplars and redwoods. The focus on indigenous species to identify those that might be economically viable could include kauri, the beeches, totara, tawa, and rimu. Labour will ensure that forestry plays its part in New Zealands economic development by moving from a commodity-type primary industry to one producing higher value and specialised products.
A sustainable and renewable resource

Forests will play an increasingly important role in our efforts to tackle the issue of climate change. A number of initiatives will increase New Zealanders awareness of the role wood can play on climate change including educating the public on its desirable qualities from a climate change point of view, promoting the greater use of wood as a sustainable, climate-friendly building material and reducing the use of energy-intensive materials such as steel, concrete and aluminium. Wood can replace fossil fuels through finding efficient ways to use it as fuel, particularly the use of wood waste. Using different varieties of wood in the construction industry could involve a focus on the use of untreated Douglas fir in appropriate circumstances. We also need to address the technical and non-technical barriers to trade and to fasttrack consideration of fumigation issues with Australia which are a cost to the industry and a health hazard to workers. Labour will promote the use of wood as a renewable and environmentally friendly resource.
Good information, good investment

Good investment decisions are based on sound and timely information. Labour wants to ensure that good financial and technical information is available to all those involved with the forestry sector including investors and those responsible for the Department of Conservations indigenous planting programmes. The information will cover the Emissions Trading Scheme and current Afforestation schemes, the role of tree planting in good land management and the economics of different tree species. It will also cover species selection, planting and planting sites and managing and harvesting different species. Information on creating permanent sink forests grown primarily for carbon storage is also needed. Information already exists, but it needs to be gathered together from official sources and private agencies. As new research findings emerge they will need to be made widely available. Labour will direct government agencies to assemble and disseminate up-to-date information on issues relevant to the planting, management and harvesting of forests.
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Healthier Kiwis
Labours policy for Health
2008
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Introduction
Labour is committed to providing a safe, affordable and accessible public health system you can trust a world class system of healthcare for every New Zealander regardless of their ability to pay. New Zealanders now have a health system that is more affordable, accessible and responsive to their needs. Primary health care is now much cheaper, with the average cost of seeing a GP just $26 nationwide. A million Kiwis pay just $16 for a consultation. Most prescription medicines now cost just $3. Communities also have a greater say in how their health services are run through democratically elected District Health Boards. In the last nine years there has been a major hospital building programme from Kaitaia to Invercargill, with seven new hospitals being built and another eight receiving major upgrades. Another five major upgrades are underway. Ten new specialist units have been either built or upgraded throughout the country. Labour will continue to invest in preventative and primary health care because we recognise that prevention and early intervention are more cost effective. We will continue to work to make our health system stronger and safer by building strong regional clinical networks, upgrading health facilities, and reducing waiting times for elective surgery in priority areas such as cardiac, cancer and orthopaedics. Labour will decisively tackle remaining workforce issues facing the sector and ensure that older people have access to high quality aged care facilities.
Our Priorities
The health system has undergone massive change in the last 9 years but there is still much to be done. We have five major priorities for the next three years: continue to promote and fund preventive health strategies to target public health issues and further boost primary care; fund a range of programmes targeting obesity; ensure that older people have access to high quality aged care facilities; continue to target reduced waiting times for hospital outpatient appointments and planned admissions; and ensure we have the health workforce we need through improved recruitment and retention initiatives and workforce planning.
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Preventive health strategies and primary care

Preventative health care and primary health care are the earliest interventions in the health system. They can also be the most effective because they help prevent people from getting sick. By recognising symptoms and identifying illness at the earliest opportunity, treatment can be not only more effective but come at least cost to the health system. We have undertaken a number of preventative health campaigns, from boosting immunisations and diabetes checks to reducing the stigma associated with mental illness. Labour will continue to fund and roll out innovative public health strategies. In primary care, our objective will be to maintain affordability with a priority on reducing the cost of going to the doctor for under-18s and over-64s.
Targeting obesity
Obesity is a major health problem in New Zealand and without further action is likely to continue to be so. The latest data, from the New Zealand Health Survey 2006/07, suggests the rate of growth in obesity is beginning to slow. It is our goal to turn this slowdown into a reduction in the obesity rate. Labour has put in place a number of programmes, such as Healthy Eating Healthy Action, Fruit in Schools and Mission On to improve nutrition, increase activity levels and improve overall health.
High quality aged care

The health and wellbeing of our old people is of the utmost importance. We need to ensure the clinical safety of residents and patients in aged care facilities and the sustainability of the workforce. We also want more transparent processes so individuals and families have access to good quality information about rest home services.
Reduced waiting times

There has been significant growth in elective surgery in the last three years. More people than ever who need treatment are getting it, and when put on a waiting list they are assured of surgery within six months. By the end of last year, 92 percent of people received treatment within this period. As more people join waiting lists, the average waiting time has increased. It is, however, still less than half the maximum six month period. We will ensure that overall waiting times do not increase, and focus on reducing them in priority areas such as cardiac, cancer and orthopaedic services.
The health workforce

A strong and well-resourced health workforce is necessary for a strong public health system. Labour is committed to workforce planning and recruitment and retention that Strong Proven Leadership 250
is robust, effective, and systematic. We will ensure there are incentives for people to enter or return to the health workforce and will centralise workforce planning in the Ministry of Health so that it is better able to identify workforce pressures and demands across the whole sector.
Public Health Services Safe, Secure, Accessible and Affordable

Labour believes that good public health care improves the overall level of public wellbeing. A greater focus should be placed on preventing illness and supporting wellness by providing New Zealanders with the information and support they need to make healthy decisions about their own lives. Over the last nine years Labour has invested heavily in public health services to promote wellbeing, prevent illness, and treat illness when it does occur. During this time there has been a massive shift in the structure of the health system. We now have Primary Health Organisations (non-profit community-based organisations that distribute funds for primary health care) and District Health Boards (democratic and community-orientated boards that organise and govern delivery of health services). These have replaced the profit-driven model of the 1990s. A wide range of information campaigns screen on television, play on radio and appear in newspapers and magazines to assist New Zealanders to make good decisions about their health and lives. They cover topics such as quitting smoking, getting children immunised, healthy eating and exercise, and limiting alcohol. Parents now also have wider and more affordable access to immunisations for their children. Labour in Government has set ambitious strategies for primary health, oral health, cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, mental health and addictions, tobacco, elective surgery and smoking cessation. These strategies are working. In the last year alone: 4,900 more children were immunised than the previous year There were 1,120 fewer avoidable hospital admissions An additional 1,800 young people used dental services The smoking rate fell below 20% for the first time There was an increase of 8% in annual diabetes checks.
We will continue to work hard to ensure that New Zealanders have the best possible access to public health resources as well as accurate information so they can make important health-related decisions. Labour will continue to set nationwide health targets in priority public health areas such as immunisation, oral health, elective services, cancer waiting list times, avoidable hospital admissions, diabetes, mental health, Strong Proven Leadership 251
healthier lifestyles, smoking cessation and efficiency in all services across the health sector. We believe that Health Targets are an important way to increase performance in the health system and to focus our attention on areas of need. They also give the public important information on how the health system is performing. Thats why, in 2007, we established the Health Targets and a system for annual reporting. We will continue to set national targets in these priority areas, monitor progress, and make adjustments to funding and services where necessary. Labour will continue to promote and fund primary health care, education, and preventive health strategies at a nationwide and community level to target: obesity the incidence of health conditions related to smoking the impact of poor housing on health problem gambling and drug and alcohol addiction, including P chronic and non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, respiratory and heart disease. We have initiated a number of public health campaigns which are making important contributions to New Zealands wellbeing such as Healthy Eating Healthy Action / Mission On to target obesity and diabetes, smoking cessation programmes, alcohol and binge-drinking awareness, and problem gambling. It is essential that primary healthcare services also contribute to public health campaigns in our communities. Good progress is being made in key areas. Cardiovascular disease has been reduced from the number one to number two killer because of increased access to healthy heart drugs like statins. The rate of smoking has dropped to the lowest rate in over three decades. The Like Minds Like Mine mental health awareness campaign has been very successful. The obesity growth rate is slowing, but more needs to be done to bring it under control. It is our goal to turn this slowdown into a reduction in the obesity rate. We have put in place a number of programmes, such as Healthy Eating Healthy Action, Fruit in Schools and Mission On to improve nutrition, increase activity levels and improve overall health. The bottom line is that New Zealanders are living longer since Labour became the Government. Men are now living an average of 3.5 years longer and women an average of 2.2 years. But the gap between Pakeha and Maori or Pacific Islanders is still too great. This is why diseases like obesity are a major focus for us. Labour will continue its investment in education and preventative strategies to ensure that people have access to the best possible information about health issues and can make informed decisions about their lifestyle.
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Labour will ensure integrated service delivery for preventive and primary health care. It is important that New Zealanders use health services to stay well, not just when they are sick. Ten years ago, the health system was market-driven and hospitalcentric. Over the last nine years we have worked hard to ensure that preventative health programmes and primary health care play important roles in keeping people healthy and away from hospitals. They are important parts of our Primary Health Care Strategy. More people are now getting screened for breast cancer, accessing early intervention diabetes services through the diabetes Get Checked programme and getting childhood immunisations and influenza immunisations through outreach services. Labour will ensure that this focus on preventative and primary health is maintained and strengthened, and that linkages between preventative, primary and hospital care are as strong as possible. Labour will support long-term public health research to deal with the underlying causes of illness. Accurate information about the drivers of disease is vital if we are to respond effectively and implement preventative strategies. Labour will continue to support long-term research on public health so we can continue to roll out innovative programmes that prevent people becoming sick. Labour will develop a co-ordinated approach to promoting hearing health education. In this years Budget, we committed $18 million over four years for Super Gold Card holders for hearing aids, increasing the subsidy from $198 to $500. This is an important commitment but we also realise that preventative education is equally important if people are to prevent their hearing from deteriorating.
Primary Health Care More Affordable and Accessible

Primary healthcare is the support Kiwis receive from frontline health workers in their community. It is the family doctor (general practitioner) or practice nurse that people see at their local clinic. Early and effective access, wellness support, diagnosis and intervention lead to healthier people and families. In turn this results in less pressure on our hospitals. It is not good for Kiwis or the health system to wait and get seriously ill before treatment.
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Labour has always believed that families should never have to choose between going to the doctor and putting food on the table. That was happening in the 1990s. As part of our primary healthcare strategy, we have halved the cost of seeing a doctor. Labour has worked to rebuild our primary care sector and support the staff who work in it. Most New Zealanders know that in the last few years it has become significantly cheaper to visit a GP while the cost of prescriptions has dropped significantly. The strategy is about much more than price it is a long-term investment in the health of all New Zealanders. Early treatment and advice prevents many illnesses from becoming more serious and enables more Kiwis to take control of their health and wellbeing. Labour will continue to work towards reducing the cost of GP visits for younger and older New Zealanders so that young people get medical advice early and so that older people can lead active, healthy lives. Over the coming years, we will prioritise reducing the cost of going to the doctor for those aged six to 17 years and for people over 64. Our health plans are ambitious and will evolve to meet the needs of all New Zealanders. Rather than let the market decide who gets health care, we are working to expand and strengthen services and to ensure strong links between the people who already deliver health or community services to Kiwi communities. Doctors, nurses and other professionals are now working more closely to deliver services that reflect how we live, work and play in the 21st century. Central to the delivery of enhanced primary care are Primary Health Organisations (PHOs), the structures through which GPs provide integrated services to their patients. PHOs at their best bring together a range of effective primary care services, based on the needs of the patients they serve. In so doing, they become the key players in primary health delivery within District Health Board areas. The most effective PHOs tend to have a clear focus on a geographic area or a specific population. Labour will further improve access to primary health care services by addressing barriers and improving models of care. We want PHOs and general practices to ensure a more consistent focus on services that are integrated with other health professionals. Labour will encourage development of more one stop shop facilities for primary health care, drawing together GP services and other allied health professionals. One stop shop facilities are an innovation in primary health care that we want to encourage. Having X-ray services, a diagnostic laboratory, a pharmacy and other allied health services like physiotherapy under the same roof is more convenient for Strong Proven Leadership 254
patients and means they are more likely to get their tests and pick up their prescriptions. This model enables health professionals to work in closer collaboration, further improving outcomes for their patients. Labour will work with DHBs to increase the number of one stop shop facilities throughout New Zealand. Labour will prevent unnecessary hospitalisation through collaborative teamwork in local primary care. We also want primary care teams to work more collaboratively, irrespective of whether they work in a one stop shop environment. This will include strengthening links between general practices and allied health professionals like psychologists and physiotherapists. It means a greater role for practice nurses in triaging consultations. Another way we will ensure there are no gaps in services for communities is to develop primary healthcare development plans in each District Health Board area. Labour will link DHBs and PHOs through district-wide primary healthcare development plans. These plans will help ensure that patients have access to seamless, high quality and comprehensive primary healthcare services. Each DHB will work closely with their PHOs to compile a development plan that identifies gaps in primary health services and barriers to access, and sets out how they intend to reduce and remove these. Bowel cancer is the most common cancer in New Zealand. We have one of the highest death rates in the world from this disease. A national screening programme could save up to 100 lives every year. Labour will implement, as soon as possible, a comprehensive nationwide bowel cancer screening programme. We announced earlier this year that we would fast-track this programme. A pilot screening programme will start next year and a full-scale programme is expected to be rolled out by the end of 2011, well before the original date of 2014. Labour will promote a DHB-salaried General Practitioner option as one way of better integrating primary health care. Most General Practitioners work in an independent small business environment, where DHBs contract and fund them for their services through Primary Health Organisations. Labour believes there is an opportunity to better integrate primary care with the public health system by encouraging DHBs to start employing GPs directly. This system has been trialled by West Coast DHB. Without this model, significant parts of the West Coast would be without GP care.
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DHBs and Hospital Services A Strong and Safe Public Health System You Can Trust
Communities have a right to expect good access to public health services throughout New Zealand. Over the last nine years we have rebuilt our bricks and mortar with a major hospital building programme from Kaitaia to Invercargill. These new hospitals, along with one-stop community health centres and their staff, were an urgent priority for Labour to reverse the lack of investment in health during the 1990s. There are also more staff in our hospitals and theatres now than ever before - over 1,000 more doctors and over 3,000 more nurses. The proportion of non-clinical staff in the public health system has remained static. We have 21 District Health Boards example, in Counties Manukau we Zealand. Services therefore need members need to be supported to community. serving very different local communities. For have one of the youngest populations in New to reflect that. Elected and appointed board deliver the highest level of service for their
Ten years ago hospitals were run as profit-making enterprises under Crown Health Enterprises. Today District Health Boards have brought democratic governance to the provision of health services in communities. Ten years from now the public health system will have seamless links between primary and preventative care, and public hospitals. Labour is committed to a strong, safe health system delivered through, and run by, an integrated network of efficient District Health Boards. We will continue to encourage DHBs to work together to lift the overall health of New Zealanders. We will strengthen collaboration amongst DHBs by: promoting alliances between relevant DHBs; exploring opportunities for collective purchasing to maximise public investment; and strengthening the role of the Ministry of Health to provide central leadership on key system-wide resources (like workforce planning and information communications technology). Our regional clinical networks will be built by building collaboration between DHBs, with a central coordinating role for the Ministry of Health, and clear leadership from government. Our vision is for an integrated and mutually supported DHB network, unlike right-wing politicians who want to set up regional purchasing agencies to promote competition. That would be a disaster. Labour has filled the gaps which opened up in our public health system during the 1990s. We will continue to invest in our public health sector and assist it to become more connected with a greater focus on consistency of service and health outcomes. Strong Proven Leadership 256
Labour will ensure a coordinated hospital and specialist health care system of consistent quality across the country. The practice of health and medicine is constantly advancing and specialising. Labour is responding to this challenge by supporting specialist staff to form strong links with professionals in their speciality to maintain the highest international standards. We will continue to strengthen collaboration and coordination between DHBs and ensure that the Quality Improvement Committee has the resources to monitor and identify avenues for increasing the quality of services. Labour will continue to build and upgrade health facilities to ensure we have top quality infrastructure. Under Labour New Zealand has seen unprecedented investment in health infrastructure. Since 2000, seven new hospitals have been built and another eight have received major upgrades. Another five major upgrades are underway. Ten new specialist units have been either built or upgraded throughout the country. Labour will ensure that this investment continues so that New Zealanders have the best possible health facilities. More people than ever are getting elective treatment, and more people are assured of surgery. Labour has invested heavily in elective services: in 2006 we committed an additional $200 million over four years so that more Kiwis would get their treatment. This year we injected another $160 million over five years so that 5,000 more Kiwis would get treatment each year, and 12,000 more people would get assessments, diagnostic tests and community-based procedures. Our strategy is paying off. In the last two years, 12,000 additional New Zealanders had elective treatment. With greater numbers of people assured of surgery within six months, the average waiting time is increasing. It is still less than half the maximum waiting time of six months, but we want to reduce it even further. Labour will continue to commit resources to reduce waiting times in priority areas. Labour will target reduced waiting times for elective surgery in priority areas, such as cardiac, cancer and orthopaedic services. A major challenge in health is to make sure that excellence flows between all areas in our public health system. One way we can do this is to use technology to provide fast and accurate information between our various health staff. Labour will invest in information technology so that the flow of health information between primary, secondary and tertiary health sectors is achieved in a timely and seamless manner that also safeguards patients privacy. Strong Proven Leadership 257
One example of this is to enable a GP who orders a test for a patient to see the results at the same time as the specialist so a patients records are updated quickly. In our hospitals, barcode technology can increase the safer use of medicines to ensure patients only get the medicines intended for them. Labour will ensure that the health sector has the investments it needs to provide high technology solutions where required. Labour will build stronger regional clinical and administrative networks, with shared integrated services that efficiently use resources and avoid duplication. New Zealand is a small nation and because of this not every area can provide all specialist medical services. It is a fact that some New Zealanders will have to travel for specialist treatment but we aim to minimise this disruption as much as possible. Labour will ensure that New Zealanders get the best clinical services, no matter where they live, by building stronger regional clinical services that are nationally integrated. Labour will strengthen the provision of ambulance services by instituting a staged plan to deal with funding, workforce, crewing, and training issues. We recently released our Ambulance Strategy for consultation. In it we detail the key steps we will take to move towards a more sustainable and safer provision of emergency ambulance services. We will explore options for simplifying funding, through a joint Ministry of Health and ACC venture. We will also extend the role of paramedics to be able to assess and treat more patients at home and in the community, removing the need for some patients to travel to hospital. Labour will focus on developing sustainable and high quality palliative care services. Labour has significantly increased investment in palliative care services in recent years. DHB funding for palliative services increased from $30 million per annum in 2003/04 to $45 million in 2006/07. Another $12 million a year is funded under the Cancer Control Action Plan. Labour will continue to strengthen palliative care so that all New Zealanders who require it have access to these services, whether delivered by DHBs, hospices or inhome care.
A Stronger and More Sustainable Health Workforce

A strong and well equipped workforce is essential to the sustainability of New Zealands health system. Currently about two thirds of health investment goes into the workforce, so it is critical that we get workforce planning right. Strong Proven Leadership 258
In recent years there has been significant effort to strengthen the workforce. There are now over 1,000 more doctors and over 3,000 more nurses working in our hospitals and GP practices than there were in 2000. The number of allied health staff professionals such as physiotherapists, psychologists and social workers has also grown. The number of midwives in training has increased - by the end of next year there will be a 50% increase in the number of graduates (about 180 graduates in total). There are now more students than ever before training to be doctors. In the past four years, an additional 80 places have been added at medical schools the first increases in over 25 years bringing the total to 365 New Zealanders in their first year of medical training. More medical graduates are now training to become General Practitioners too. In 2006, the number of postgraduate GP training places was increased from 54 to 69, and this year 104 graduates are in their first year of General Practice training. Labour is committed to workforce planning and development that is sustainable, systematic, and not ad hoc. Labour will coordinate workforce planning at all levels and tackle key areas of workforce shortage. Clinical and medical education experts now have a greater role in advising on the direction of the workforce through the Medical Training Board, set up in 2007. We will continue to invest in the workforce at all levels training, recruitment, and professional development. Labour in government has worked with health experts to identify the future needs of the medical workforce. The Medical Training Board has recommended that the number of medical students be further increased by 100 places. In line with these recommendations, we will increase the number of medical placements by 50 extra places in both 2010 and 2011. Labour will progressively increase the number of training places at New Zealand medical schools, with an extra 50 places in 2010 and a further 50 places in 2011. Retaining medical students in New Zealand after they graduate is vital. Our interestfree student loan policy provides incentives for graduates to remain here, and our policy to abolish parental means testing for student allowances will help reduce debt while studying. Labour will work with DHBs to ensure a coordinated programme of measures to encourage medical professionals to stay in the country or return to New Zealand and tackle the shortage of medical professionals in rural and other key areas.
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Measures to encourage medical professionals to stay in the country or return to New Zealand may include offering student-loan write offs, and offering relocation grants for New Zealand medical graduates returning home after a stint overseas. Labour has worked hard to encourage medical professionals to work in rural and hard-to-staff areas. We have supported the creation of Otago Universitys Rural Medical Immersion Programme so medical students can work and study in rural areas and we have made rural practice more sustainable and attractive to practitioners through the Rural Bonus and Rural Premiums for rural GPs scheme. There is also a $2 million rural bonus fund for midwives. Labour will work to ensure that students have incentives to undertake training and education in rural and key areas. Labour will streamline and co-ordinate health administration requirements at all levels so that medical personnel are freed up to deliver frontline services. We believe that health professionals should spend their time doing what they do best: providing care and support for patients. Labour will work to ensure that the burden of administrative duties is reduced as much as possible for frontline health professionals. Labour will reduce locum costs and co-ordinate provision of locums, including investigating the possibility of re-introducing a travelling locum scheme. Through national co-ordination and collaboration of workforce needs, we can reduce both the demand and cost of locums. National collaboration will reduce competition between DHBs for staff and instead develop co-operation between providers. Labour will extend professional development programmes to include health professionals in all areas of the primary and secondary care workforce, including nursing and midwifery. It is important that health workers have access to professional development programmes so they can increase their clinical skills and keep up to date with advances in their discipline. Given the integrated nature of 21st Century healthcare, it is important that opportunities for professional development are not limited just to doctors. Labour will promote increased labour market participation in the health sector for older workers by increasing the provision of re-entry education and promoting greater flexibility in working conditions and hours. A smart way to boost the health workforce is to encourage the re-entry of qualified people who, for whatever reason, are no longer working in the sector. One way we plan to do this is by boosting re-entry/refresher training. We will encourage health provider employers to promote flexible working hours. This will help ensure that
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people with commitments outside of work, can participate in the workforce even when a nine-to-five working week doesnt work for them. Labour values the backgrounds and experiences of our health workers and will strive to ensure they are given the necessary support to thrive in the New Zealand health sector. Regardless of where people are trained, we need to ensure that all medical professionals are high quality, clinically and culturally competent, and given appropriate support. Labour will ensure the availability of appropriate bridging programmes and mentoring for overseas-trained medical professionals. We will work with professional bodies to ensure international recruits have the support, supervision and registration needed. Labour will establish a comprehensive central system for national workforce supply and demand planning within the Ministry of Health. It is important there is a strong and co-ordinated approach to planning New Zealands health workforce. Labour will further integrate the current system of workforce planning which includes agencies such as the Medical Training Board, Clinical Training Agency, the Doctors Workforce Commissions and the Midwife and Maternity Strategic Advisory Committee so that the Ministry of Health, with input from clinical experts, has a system-wide approach to workforce planning.
Health and Wellbeing of Older New Zealanders

Good health is critical to the wellbeing of older people. Without good health, older people are less able to enjoy their lives to the fullest extent, their options are limited and their general levels of contentment and happiness are likely to be reduced. Labours goals for the health and wellbeing of older New Zealanders are set out in the Health of Older People Strategy published in 2002. Our vision is that older people will be able to fully participate in decisions about their health and wellbeing and in family, whanau and community life. We want to ensure they are supported by coordinated and responsive health and disability support programmes. Labour has worked hard to improve the affordability, accessibility and quality of health services for older New Zealanders. We have introduced primary healthcare subsidies so that everyone is able to get cheaper doctors visits and cheaper prescription medicines. A million Kiwis now pay no more than $16 to see a GP and the cost of most prescription medicines has been cut to no more than $3. Although older New Zealanders are on average enjoying better health for longer, it remains important to appropriately support those with disabilities. Technological and Strong Proven Leadership 261
medical advances have enabled many people with disabilities to live longer. The suitability of housing and the ability of people with disabilities to remain living successfully in the community will be dependent on the availability of formal and informal care. Labour has committed to the progressive removal of asset testing for older people in long-stay residential care. We have increased the asset threshold (the level at which the value of assets need to be equal or below) from $15,000 for singles and $30,000 for couples to $180,000. This means that older people retain more of their assets and still qualify for a government subsidy to help meet the cost of their care. Labour will continue the progressive removal of asset testing for older people in long-stay residential care by increasing the asset thresholds by $10,000 on 1 July of each year. Labour is committed to ensuring that older people have access to high quality aged care facilities and the highest possible standard of health care. We want more transparent processes so individuals and families have access to good quality information about rest home services. Labour will ensure that the results of audits of aged care facilities are made publicly available, in much the same way that the Education Review Offices school audits are. We recognise the need to support and develop workers who provide valuable support to our senior citizens and we know that low pay and high staff turnover are a major workforce issue in aged care. We will establish a Ministerial Aged Care Residential Working Group to staircase workforce development through a five year plan. We also want to see wages rise in the sector, which is why we recently announced an immediate $5 million injection to work with the sector to increase pay rates. Labour will strengthen aged care workforce development and regulation by reviewing staffing and funding guidelines including consideration of specified minimum staffing levels. We will develop regulations to underpin new staffing requirements. We will investigate the introduction of aged care qualifications so that workers in the sector have greater career progression possibilities and can offer more effective services. Labour will implement a comprehensive workforce development programme for all those working in the aged care sector including carers, home support workers and nurses at all levels.
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We recently announced a $4 million investment to upskill staff in the sector to level 2 and 3 qualifications, and another $4 million investment by DHBs for workforce development. All health consumers have the right to make a complaint about the services they receive, and older New Zealanders in rest homes or other forms of care are no different. Labour will ensure the availability of robust and effective complaints processes. We will investigate ways to strengthen complaints processes for these people, to provide more information on how to make a complaint, and make the complaints process more accessible. Labour will ensure that prevention of elder abuse and neglect guidelines are included in all District Health Board contract specifications for elder care providers Older people in care are some of the most vulnerable New Zealanders, and it is an unfortunate fact that abuse and neglect do occur sometimes. We will strengthen providers accountability by ensuring that there are robust abuse and neglect guidelines in all DHB contract specifications for eldercare providers. Labour will enhance the awareness of green prescriptions for older people. A Green Prescription is a health professional's written advice on physical activity, as part of the patient's overall health management. It's a smart and cost-effective way to help and support older people to stay healthy and improve their quality of life. With our aim of progressively reducing fees for older people to visit their doctor, older people will visit their GPs more frequently. Labour believes there is a place for regular wellness checks, administered by nurses, to complement older peoples visits to their GP. Labour will investigate the introduction of nurse-led wellness checks in primary care for older people. We realise that some older people feel isolated and disconnected from their communities. We also realise they have a wealth of information and experience, and can play important roles in their community. Labour believes that older people should be encouraged and given the support to get involved in the community in ways that are suitable and comfortable for them.
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Labour will encourage and support older people contributing to the voluntary sector as a means of combating social isolation and building stronger and healthier communities. Labour believes it is important that older New Zealanders have the choice of remaining in their own home. Home-based support plays a vital role in helping older people maintain their independence. Labour will recognise the importance of allowing older people to remain in their own homes by continuing to expand the provision of home-based support. We realise that independence is important for older people who remain in their own homes but we also realise this can sometimes make them vulnerable, especially if they have a chronic health condition. It is our goal that older New Zealanders who remain in their own homes are able to contact emergency services as soon as possible should they suffer an accident or medical emergency. Labour will investigate ways to increase the availability of fully subsidised personal alarms for those who are able to remain in their own homes.
Womens Health and Maternity

It is essential that affordable, quality healthcare is available to all women throughout their lives. This belief in a strong public health system goes to the core of Labours values. Over the past decade, much has changed to improve access to healthcare for all New Zealand women. Affordability has increased dramatically. Doctors visits and prescription costs have dropped significantly. The average cost of seeing a GP is now just $26 for a consultation, and a million Kiwis pay less than $16. Access to nationwide screening programmes for women, such as breast and cervical cancer, have been widened and given new impetus. Under Labour, preventative healthcare will continue to be a priority. Labour will implement a nationwide HPV vaccination programme that protects young women against the most common cause of cervical cancer. In 1989, Labour announced the countrys first cervical cancer screening program. Almost twenty years later, we have launched a new major programme to tackle this disease, which kills about 60 women a year. We have committed $164 million over 5 years to vaccinate women against HPV, the virus responsible for around 70% of cervical cancer. Over this period the vaccine will be free for more than 300,000 young women. Strong Proven Leadership 264
Too often women dealing with a stressful pregnancy find their experiences vary depending on where they live. We will work to ensure a more timely and uniform provision of support across the country. Labour will work to address work force issues in maternity care and continue to ensure local access to reliable, safe midwifery and obstetric services across the country. It is important to us that access to maternity services is as convenient as possible, and that womens choice to use the maternity services they want and need is facilitated. Labour recently announced a package of initiatives to address workforce pressures in the midwifery sector. This included expanding the midwife workforce in training by a third, retaining more midwives with post-graduate study and providing financial support to overseas-trained midwives. Labour is committed to full implementation of this package. Labour will ensure there is a high level of communication and coordination between midwives, GPs and obstetricians so that all mothers are provided with the postnatal care they need, including longer stays in maternity units where this is required. Communication between maternity carers is crucial to effective and safe clinical services. We will work to ensure that barriers to communication between these health professionals are identified and reduced to the greatest extent possible, and that mothers receive the highest level of professional care. Labour will continue to promote satisfactory outcomes for pregnancy, childbirth and aftercare through provision of nationwide quality care by qualified health professionals. All mothers and mothers-to-be have the right to the very best clinical care possible. Sometimes communication and co-ordination between caregivers falls down, resulting in a poorer standard of care. Labour will work to ensure that all clinical professionals provide the highest standard of care, that they are accountable for their standard of care, and that mothers receive stronger maternity unit care when needed. We are committed to providing timely and uniform provision of support to women under stress during pregnancy across the country. Labour will ensure nationwide equality of access to contraceptive education, information and provision in partnership with qualified health professionals Women have the right to access quality information and support to make informed decisions about sex and contraception. Labour will work to ensure that qualified Strong Proven Leadership 265
health professionals have the resources to provide this information and support, and that women do not face barriers in accessing them.
Child and Youth Health

Every single young New Zealander deserves the best possible start in life. This means detecting and acting on any health problems early on. It means ensuring a strong public health system that has health professionals and clinics in place to deliver the necessary services. Over the past decade, the support available to parents and new children has expanded and developed. The Well Child service a programme that ensures young kids receive regular health checks - has been upgraded and expanded. In addition, to ensure that no child falls through the cracks, a universal B4 School check is now being implemented that diagnoses any learning or health disabilities that might hinder children from learning at school. Labour will ensure District Health Boards and Primary Health Organisations work with other agencies such as schools and early childhood centres on health promotion activities in their regions. Schools and early childhood education centres provide excellent opportunities to reach children and young people and promote healthy lifestyles. We are already doing this with healthier food options in New Zealands schools, and will continue to ensure that DHBs and PHOs work closely with other agencies to deliver important health promoting initiatives. Labour will work towards more specialised adolescent services and support with a greater focus on the provision of health services at school. Increasingly, DHBs are finding effective new ways to reach out to families with children with high needs. Labour is committed to ensuring that young people have access to the health services they need. Looking forward, our priority is to see more innovation in the delivery of primary health care to ensure that all children get the best possible start in life. This innovation must extend to re-thinking where we target the delivery of services to young people. Youth Services may well operate differently to the standard primary care model of practise. However, these alternative organisations, where appropriate, should receive primary care funding where they demonstrate success in reaching high-needs or heard-to-reach young people with health and disability needs. Labour will fund Youth Services offering first contact GP / Nurse Services through an alternative funding mechanism where necessary. Strong Proven Leadership 266
Better health support for disabled New Zealanders

The New Zealand Disability Strategy sets out the goal of easy access to long-term support systems centred on the individual. Increasing the level and flexibility of support services for disabled people has been a major focus over the last decade. In particular there has been a continuous effort to improve equity between ACC and non-ACC disability support services. Access to support services has been increased for people with chronic health conditions. They will now receive long-term support services as part of an integrated package of health services from their District Health Board. Labour will implement the recommendations of the National Advisory Committee on Health and Disability research document To Have an Ordinary Life and address barriers New Zealand adults with an intellectual disability face in trying to participate in society. This report was based on direct dialogue with adults with an intellectual disability. These New Zealanders are a diverse group, with a wide range of skills and abilities and ordinary goals and aspirations. In order to achieve those goals, they need support to minimise the barriers created by their impairment. The report identified three priorities for action. Firstly the coordination of services and purchasing and assessment of peoples needs should be better; secondly, the need to move away from the custodial model of service delivery; and thirdly, addressing the neglect of basic health needs. In line with these recommendations, Labour will continue to place more emphasis on helping disabled people and their families plan for a better life. In particular, we will continue to ensure that health services assist disabled people to lead an ordinary life. Labour will ensure that a wide range of health services are accessible to those with physical disabilities and accommodate the communication needs of people with a disability or sensory loss. Labour has invested in primary healthcare throughout New Zealand and we want to ensure that all adults have full access to services such as primary healthcare and dental care. We are aware that disabled people can be disadvantaged in navigating the system and knowing how to access services and support. Labour will identify and resolve barriers to health service delivery for disabled people. Disabled people often face difficulties in accessing health care without support, and often need to rely on others to help them access health services. There is anecdotal evidence that disabled people face discrimination in access to secondary and tertiary Strong Proven Leadership 267
care, and that even when health care is sought, communication problems can make diagnosis and treatment difficult. Labour will work to remove these barriers by improving health professionals understanding of disabled people and helping ensure that disabled people with intellectual disabilities visit their primary carer more often. Labour will provide free annual health checks for intellectually disabled people with high support needs. New Zealanders with intellectual disabilities often have medical conditions that are easily treatable or curable, but do not receive appropriate treatment because of the barriers they face in accessing care. Labour will provide free annual checks for people with intellectual disabilities to ensure that medical conditions are diagnosed early and treated as soon as possible. Labour will ensure quality care for disabled people through appropriate education and training for those caring for people with disabilities. It is important that the people providing care for disabled New Zealanders have the appropriate knowledge and training. We will work to expand education and training to caregivers to ensure the highest standard of care. Labour will review the funding mechanisms for disability services to ensure that barriers to adequate provision of carer support and respite care are removed, including investigating changes to funding of close relatives as respite carers. Labour wants everyone to have the same choices and opportunities and around their living arrangements, such as where they live and who they live with. Most New Zealanders grow up and move out of their parents home. Labour believes that disabled adults should also have the choice to move out of the parental home and be supported in the accommodation of their choice.
Mental Health: the Journey towards Recovery

There can be no doubt that New Zealand has become a more socially inclusive society for people with experience of mental illness. When the 1996 Mason Report was released it revealed huge gaps in the treatment and the rights of New Zealanders who experience mental health issues. Then, we were struggling as a society to move beyond the stigma often attached to people who were mentally ill. Under Labour, the sector has grown in confidence and is implementing a second decade of mental health reforms. Strong Proven Leadership 268
This has strengthened the role of the mental health workforce, families, whanau and service users in supporting a vision of recovery for countless individuals and families. Mental health services have become more responsive to the needs of consumers and there has been increased quality in services. What this means is that we continuously measure and seek improvement. It means that the one-size-fits-all concept of those experiencing mental health issues has been thrown off as we emerge as a sector that treats people as individuals and seeks input from the users of services. This major transformation for the mental health sector would not have happened without the vision, support and significant investment by Labour. Labour will ensure full implementation of the Mental Health Blueprint and ensure consistent standards of care nationwide and at all levels. Labour will review implementation of the Mental Health Blueprint and address gaps where they remain. There have been significant changes in the delivery of mental health services in New Zealand in the last ten years, and it is now an appropriate time to ensure that we continue on the right path. Labour will review the Mental Health Blueprint, identify where any service and quality gaps lie, and address them. Labour will ensure DHBs have consistent standards of mental health plans nationwide and at all levels of the patient care journey. It is important that any New Zealander with a mental illness receives the highest possible standard of care, regardless of which town or city they live in. Through greater collaboration between DHBs and strong regional networks, Labour will work to ensure that patients plans for recovery are of a consistently high quality and that their journey through the care system produces the best recovery outcomes. Labour will review funding provided to mental health non-government organisations to ensure there is access to a consistently high standard of mental health care throughout the country. Mental Health non-government organisations provide a critical service, and it is important that they are adequately resourced and funded. Labour will ensure that all non-government organisations who deliver mental health services have the necessary resources to provide the highest standard of care. Labour will ensure the mental health workforce is adequately developed and funded. Labour values the skills and dedication of New Zealands mental health workers. We are committed to ensuring that there is a strong workforce that has the necessary resources and is adequately funded to provide the critical services they deliver. Strong Proven Leadership 269
Labour will work to ensure that the workforce is developed to meet New Zealands mental health challenges. Labour will support appropriate re-integration into the community of mental health patients including through community-based services and supported accommodation. One of the greatest developments in mental health care has been the re-integration of people with mental illness back into the community. Those who are re-integrated need a high level of support so that they recover well. Labour is committed to ensuring that this support is available to New Zealanders who require it. Labour will continue to improve mental health services within the criminal justice system. People within the criminal justice system are much more likely than the general population to suffer from a mental illness. Labour will work to increase access and efficacy of clinical mental health services at all stages of the criminal justice system. Labour will develop treatment services for people with eating disorders. There is currently much inconsistency in the delivery of services to treat eating disorders in New Zealand. We will work with DHBs and PHOs to enhance early identification of eating disorders and strengthen the provision of services throughout the country.
Rural Health A New Model of Healthcare for Rural New Zealand

Rural New Zealanders are entitled to have access to the very best health care, regardless of the distance they live from the nearest city or hospital. Healthcare in rural New Zealand has taken big steps forward in the last nine years. Over $100 million now goes to support rural health services each year. Rural New Zealanders can have minor surgical procedures close to their home on the innovative Mobile Surgical Bus so dont have to go into hospital. Patients receive support through the National Travel Assistance Programme if they have to travel to receive treatment. Upgraded drinking water supplies and sewerage schemes will benefit 210,000 New Zealanders. The rural health workforce is now getting more support than ever. Rural GPs are paid a bonus through a $4 million annual fund. Another $11 million goes towards ensuring rural health workers are retained and provide good after hours care. There are now rural immersion programmes at both New Zealand medical schools. A $2 million fund is distributed to rural midwives annually to help them with the costs of Strong Proven Leadership 270
practicing in rural areas. Innovation in rural health is being encouraged through the Rural Innovations Fund. We understand, however, that people in rural communities still visit their GPs less frequently than people living in urban areas. Given that access to primary health care is very important for people to stay healthy, it is vital for rural New Zealanders to have the easiest and most convenient access to primary healthcare possible. Labour will work with DHBs to develop rural primary health centres which incorporate the needs of rural communities and bring services together where possible into one facility. Labour will establish one stop shop primary health care centres in rural areas. The idea of a one-stop-shop primary health care centre is not an entirely new concept. A few District Health Boards are either working on these concepts, or have recently opened such facilities. This is something we want to promote and expand. The Horowhenua Health Centre is an example of the type of response to a communitys health needs that we believe is the future of rural health care. At this one stop shop, patients can see their GP, have an X-ray or blood test, and get their prescriptions filled - all in one visit. The facility is located on the same site as a secondary care hospital, creating strong linkages between GPs and secondary treatment, rehabilitation and maternity services. The centre has been very successful, with more than 26,000 patients seeing a GP there in its first year. It is our goal that these one-stop-shops be extended into more rural areas across New Zealand. Labour will work closely with DHBs to extend these services into more rural to ensure that rural New Zealanders have more convenient and integrated primary health care services. It is a fact that the most complicated health procedures and specialist care cannot be provided in rural communities. Because of this, it is important that rural health services are integrated with secondary and tertiary specialist services in urban centres, and that after hours services in rural areas are comprehensive and well-resourced. The National Travel Assistance programme helps Kiwis who have to travel for treatment, by providing financial support for mileage and accommodation. We want to ensure that New Zealanders are given the support they need when they have to travel away from home to see a specialist. Labour will review the operation of the National Travel Assistance programme and ensure it is delivering maximum benefit to rural New Zealanders. The Rural Innovations Fund is an annual contestable fund that provides one off support for innovative practices in rural medicine. Each year $300,000 is made Strong Proven Leadership 271
available in grants. We will continue to support innovations in rural health to ensure that rural communities have access to the best possible health services. Labour will continue to support innovative rural health solutions through the Rural Innovations Fund. The Rural Ranking Scale is a method used to define how rural a practice is, and in turn how much extra support a rural medical practice becomes entitled to. Labour will ensure that the Rural Ranking Scale has continued relevance by reviewing its function. Labour will review the Rural Ranking Scale to ensure its continued relevance. Rural hospitals need to be closely integrated with secondary and tertiary units to ensure that rural New Zealanders receive seamless care and the best possible access to specialist services. Labour will investigate better cooperation and coordination through, for example, increased use of technology such as telemedicine. Labour will investigate ways for rural hospitals to better co-ordinate with specialist secondary and tertiary units. Labour understands that some rural practitioners have heavy workloads, especially in after hours care. We are committed to rural after hours services that are sustainable and provide the best possible clinical care. Labour will work closely with DHBs and PHOs to strengthen after hours care in rural communities. We currently require all DHBs to have after hours plans to ensure that all people can access emergency care outside working hours. This year Labour committed an extra $5 million per annum for rural after hours care. We will continue to work closely with providers and DHBs to ensure that communities receive after hours care that is reliable, safe, and takes into account the needs of practitioners.
Mens Health
Many gains have been made in New Zealands health system in the last ten years, but gender disparities still exist. Men have worse overall health outcomes than women, utilise health services less than women but also have more risk factors. Compared to women, men have higher mortality rates for cancer, heart disease, self-harm and road accidents. They are significantly more likely to drink alcohol hazardously, and significantly less likely to eat the recommended daily amount of fruit and vegetables. They are also significantly less likely to visit their GP regularly, and live on average four years less than women. Strong Proven Leadership 272
Labour is committed to improving access to healthcare for men. This year Labour has targeted mens health, with a comprehensive plan of action to reduce gender disparities. Labour will increase access to mens health and wellness checks through extended hours in primary care, outreach services and workplace and occupational health initiatives for men. Our plan focuses on improving access to a range of health and disability services especially primary health care so that men go to their primary carer more often. We will do this by making it more convenient for men to get checked: by extending primary health care hours and promoting community clinics targeted at men and expanding workplace-based health checks. Labour will improve mens access to health information through resources and a social marketing campaign. We know through the success of the Like Minds Like Mine campaign that men do respond to information about health. Later this year we will be launching a social marketing campaign aimed at getting men to see their doctor regularly. We will also be providing health information in more easily accessible formats and locations. Labour will promote innovation in mens health through the Mens Health Innovation Fund. There are currently a number of innovative mens health schemes around the country. Labour wants to encourage these local community-based initiatives. Thats why this year we established the first Mens Health Innovation Fund an annual contestable pool to help promote new initiatives or new ways of doing things in mens health. Labour will continue to monitor international evidence of the efficacy of PSA (prostate-specific antigen) blood tests. PSA tests monitor markers in the blood that can suggest prostate cancer is present. Unfortunately these tests are not yet accurate enough to be used in a nationwide screening programme. Labour will continue to closely monitor developments in PSA testing and will consider implementation of a national screening programme when we are satisfied the test is accurate enough to be used in such a way. Labour will continue to provide information for GPs and men about prostate cancer. We recently released new information resources and guidelines to GPs on prostate cancer. These include an information pamphlet for men and their families, and resource cards for doctors. They will allow men and their doctors to make more informed choices on testing and treatment. We will continue to update information Strong Proven Leadership 273
when significant clinical developments occur, and provide training to GPs on use of the new guidelines. Labour will increase mens access to targeted sexual health and vasectomy services. Part of our focus on mens health involves increasing access to sexual health and vasectomy services. The availability of some vasectomy services are restricted due to the way DHBs prioritise their elective services and because of the expense of these operations in private care or general practice. Labour is committed to increasing access to these services. This year we increased funding so that DHBs will offer more and better services to men. Labour will work with PHOs to develop health targets by gender. We know that men visit primary carers less often than women and that they have worse health outcomes. One way we can address this is by working with PHOs to develop gender-based targets for issues that inordinately affect men (such as cardiovascular disease) and for throughput of men in general practice. This will greatly help to monitor progress in mens health and identify avenues for further work.
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Affordable Accommodation for the Nation
Labours policy for Affordable Housing
2008
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Introduction
New Zealand has always been a nation of home owners it is part of the Kiwi Dream. Labour believes housing is fundamental to the health and wellbeing of communities and every New Zealander has the right to a home that is warm, dry and affordable. We believe the government and public agencies have a responsibility to help those who need it into secure housing and ensure that those homes are healthy and affordable. Few New Zealanders would disagree that everyone needs a sound roof over their head, but the previous National Government routinely took steps which effectively deprived too many New Zealanders of this basic right. They have failed to ensure every child enjoys this most fundamental of protections, a crucial component of equality of opportunity.
Home Ownership Attaining the Kiwi Dream

Home ownership must continue to be part of the Kiwi Dream and one all New Zealanders have the opportunity to realise. Labour has a strong record in this area and we are firmly committed to helping as many Kiwis as possible live this dream. We know that strong communities are built from stable home ownership - when people own their own house they have a stake in the future of their community. Strong stable communities that care about each other can help reduce crime and other social problems. The last decade has seen a change in patterns of home ownership which presents real challenges. Average real house prices increased by 80 per cent since 2002. While this was of benefit to homeowners, it has had the effect of making first-home ownership less affordable for many others who would previously have expected to be able to afford their own home. This is unacceptable to Labour. While the market has softened recently, it shows no sign of going back to 2002 levels. In response to this, a number of initiatives have been put in place over the last nine years to help New Zealanders into their first home. Home ownership rates have been declining since the 1980s
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Welcome Home Loans

For example, moderate-income families can now qualify for publicly-funded mortgage insurance with a Welcome Home loan. This reduces the deposit a firsthome buyer needs. It means eligible Kiwis can borrow up to $200,000 without Strong Proven Leadership 277
needing a deposit and up to $280,000 if they do have one. Welcome Home loans have already helped over 3,600 families into their first home. The KiwiSaver scheme is also making home ownership more achievable. After three years of saving, first-home buyers may be entitled to a first-home deposit subsidy of $1,000 for each year they have saved, up to a maximum of $5,000 (or $10,000 for a couple). There are also provisions for KiwiSaver first-home buyers to withdraw their savings for use as a deposit or divert up to half of their KiwiSaver contributions towards mortgage repayments. Ten years ago there was virtually no public assistance available to help people get into their first home. Today aspiring home owners receive help through KiwiSaver and may qualify for a mortgage guarantee or a shared equity arrangement. Ten years from now a major programme of urban development and measures to increase housing supply will have boosted the number of affordable homes on the market, and rates of home ownership will start to increase again. Building on the success of initiatives like these, Labour will implement a comprehensive and wide-ranging plan to help Kiwis into their first home.
Increasing government support for first home buyers through Shared Equity
From July this year Labour has made financial assistance available to first home buyers through a shared equity approach. Shared equity works by the government purchasing a share in the house, effectively reducing the size of the mortgage. This can make a huge difference for people who have saved a deposit but cant afford large mortgage repayments. We are currently offering shared equity assistance for a limited period of two years to eligible first-home buyers in the five regions where house prices are highest: Auckland, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch and Queenstown. Up to 700 New Zealand households are set to benefit from this programme over the next two years. We intend to evaluate and expand this scheme - currently a two-year pilot study - into a full and comprehensive programme. Shared equity schemes have proved very successful in other countries and we expect the same for our own Kiwi version.
HOPE Home Ownership on Public Estate

Labour will make sections of Crown land available for modest income families to build straight-forward, liveable starter homes that will meet their needs as they seek to move into home ownership. Where necessary, we will work with developers and local government to build starter homes on Crown owned sites. We intend to make 1,500 sites available for such affordable homes over the next four years. Strong Proven Leadership 278
Labour will support home ownership of new houses built on Crownowned land by introducing the HOPE (Home Ownership on the Public Estate) programme, where the government holds the equity in the land and the family owns the home built on it. This will help to ensure that the houses are within the reach of modest income families, and that this land continues to support affordable homeownership on an ongoing basis. Unfortunately, land prices particularly in Auckland have risen to the extent that this may not occur without additional assistance. Retaining the land in Crown hands, while allowing a family to own and reside in the home built on it, will considerably reduce the cost of owning a first home. This initiative will make home ownership a reality for thousands of families who might otherwise not achieve it. A recent land audit identified a range of other Crown land that may be deemed suitable for affordable housing. Consideration will be given to bringing this land into the HOPE programme to further increase the number of families that can be assisted.
Using Crown land to increase the supply of affordable homes

An important step in ensuring the supply of quality, affordable homes is increasing the numbers built. The government owns multiple sections of land and can potentially provide land to be developed or re-developed for housing. This will include smaller parcels of land to be redeveloped as well as larger projects such as the housing development at the old Hobsonville airbase. We want to ensure economic opportunity and sustainability are considered when this land is developed. Through a partnership with Housing New Zealand and a land developer, the government is developing land at Hobsonville to increase the supply of housing. There are 3,000 houses planned for the area, of which will be a mix of affordable homes for first-home buyers, homes for state rental and others be sold on the open market. The government also owns a large amount of land in the Tamaki area of Auckland because of the large concentration of state houses there. In partnership with Auckland Regional and Auckland City Councils, we are re-developing and re-vitalising this area. This redevelopment is aimed at providing affordable housing but also seeks to renew economic activity in the area. Labour will make Crown-owned land available for new housing developments where appropriate to expand the supply of affordable homes for first-home buyers. The benefit of developing Crown land to increase the supply of affordable housing includes the ability to ensure that the elements needed to grow a healthy community can be incorporated, including provision for people buying their first home. Good urban re-development is about ensuring the right infrastructure is in place. That means Strong Proven Leadership 279
providing not just roads and pipes but also employment opportunities, public transport, schools, social services and parks. Labour will work to ensure that the supply of new housing is developed alongside commercial districts, well designed transport options and other public services.
Urban Development a sustainable approach

Traditionally the construction of housing in New Zealand has not occurred in a coordinated or systematic way, which means new developments have often been ad hoc and have led in turn to an inadequate supply of new, affordable homes. A fresh approach to urban development is required to ensure we provide enough affordable housing now and into the future in safe, sustainable communities that are connected to public transport and other infrastructure and which offer and stimulate economic and employment opportunities. There is also a need to focus on using land, infrastructure and assets more effectively when we undertake new developments or re-develop existing suburbs and town centres. By intensifying land use in some strategic areas, it should be possible to provide New Zealanders with more housing choices, viable public transport options and thriving town centres. Environmental sustainability is also vital when planning new developments. Sustainability requires a development planned around accessible public transport and efficient use of water as well as incorporating environmentally-friendly features into new homes. Labour will ensure that environmental sustainability is a central consideration in all new urban development undertaken by or with the government. More broadly, there are a number of challenges local authorities and developers face when trying to develop urban areas in a sustainable and effective way. New Zealand currently has limited co-ordination of national, regional and local planning when it comes to large-scale urban development. It can be difficult to assemble useful parcels of land from fragmented groups of properties, particularly when it comes to re-developing existing neighbourhoods and town centres. The funding of urban development projects can also present problems. They often require large amounts of funding in the early stages before revenue from development or land sales starts coming through. There can also be problems deciding who should pay for urban development, including the costs of infrastructure and services. Strong Proven Leadership 280
Labour will develop a new approach to sustainable urban development to improve the ways that the community, local and central government, service and utility providers and the development sector work together. We are currently consulting on a way forward that is flexible rather than prescriptive, taking into account the unique features of each location rather than trying to apply the same formula to different urban areas around the country. In the recently-released discussion document Building Sustainable Urban Communities, this proposed new approach would create legislation to allow the government to declare that special tools or powers could be applied in particular areas. These tools or powers could be used by an urban development organisation to implement sustainable development according to a master development plan that has been drawn up with the community. An urban development organisation could be a council-controlled organisation, a Crown entity, or a joint venture company with public sector involvement. It would have carefully prescribed objectives, boundaries and would be in place for the duration of a particular project. The legislation could be supported by improvements in the use of existing urban development processes, as well as a range of non-regulatory or legislative tools. Labour will consider the feedback on this proposal that local authorities, developers and the public provide. We will use this to develop a new approach to achieving better urban development by working together.
Recognising the potential of the local authorities, not-for-profit sector and iwi to deliver affordable housing
Labour will also advance housing provision partnerships with local government, iwi, not-for-profit providers and the private sector. Labour has passed legislation to enable local authorities to address imbalances in the supply of new homes through a combination of requirements and incentives for developers. Essentially, it will allow local authorities to require a certain number of affordable homes to be built within new housing developments. Although developers are building a large number of new homes each year, very few have been designed for, or targeted at, first-time buyers or modest-income families. Over the past 15 years, the actual size of new homes being built has increased significantly. There is rising demand among local authorities for tools to tackle this issue and ensure an adequate supply of houses for workers crucial to a local economy. This legislation, based on tried-and-tested schemes in the United Kingdom and the United States, delivers those tools. Strong Proven Leadership 281
Local authorities have an important role to play in promoting affordable home ownership. They are responsible for approving new housing developments and, if their region or city needs more affordable homes for workers, Labour believes they must have the ability to meet that need. If local authorities identify a demand for affordable homes in their area, the government will assist in helping them develop affordable housing plans. Labour will assist Local Authorities to implement the Affordable Housing Act by providing guidance and tools for the design of affordable housing policies through a National Policy Statement on Affordable Housing. The not-for-profit sector has huge potential to deliver more affordable housing to New Zealanders. In countries such as the United Kingdom, not-for-profit providers and housing associations already deliver large numbers of houses in partnership with government. Unlike private developers, these housing associations do not seek to return a profit, meaning extra costs are not passed on to the home buyer. New Zealand has a small but ambitious not-for-profit sector and Labour wants to give them the help they need to become significant providers of affordable housing. Labour will encourage the growth of a significant not-for-profit sector to provide affordable rental homes and opportunities for first home buyers. Labour set up a Housing Innovation Fund in 2003 to support communities, iwi and local government to provide social housing for low and modest income households. This fund has helped about 40 families achieve home ownership, as well as providing over a thousand new or modernised units for rent. The fund is particularly important in helping meet the housing needs of people who may be better served by communityrun initiatives such as the elderly or people with a mental illness or disability. Labour believes that with more support and policy certainty, a range of groups could significantly increase the amount of affordable homes available for rent or purchase. Labour will grow and invest in effective, large-scale not-for-profit housing providers through an expanded Housing Innovation Fund. Many iwi now hold numerous land assets. Utilising Mori land to provide housing for whanau is a great way to provide quality, affordable housing to Mori communities as well as providing a secure investment for local iwi. Papakainga lending is currently available for first-home buyers who want to build on multiple-owned Mori land. This land is not usually accepted as security for a mortgage in the private sector. Alongside this, the Rural Housing Programme improves substandard housing, making homes safer and healthier. Labour will further encourage development of Papakainga and Kaumatua housing by increasing the funding allocated for these programmes.
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These initiatives have paved the way for projects such as the relocation of state rentals onto Mori land but there is scope for more to be done. As an increasing number of historical Treaty Settlements are signed, the potential for joint housing ventures with iwi and other agencies will increase. Labour will develop housing partnerships with iwi to work together to extend housing options for Mori. This might include setting up shared equity schemes between iwi and the government, iwi housing projects and reviewing opportunities available for building on land with multiple owners. Barriers to financing development on Mori land remain however, and Labour will work with whanau, hapu, iwi and other groups to promote and support quality housing ventures on Mori land. This will support people who want to remain on ancestral land but who also want to benefit from utilising that land. Labour will look at ways to guarantee bank loans through the Welcome Home Loan Scheme for sustainable housing projects on Mori land, including land with multiple owners.
Building and Construction Standards Bringing Down the Cost

Labour wants to ensure that New Zealanders have access to safe, comfortable and healthy homes and buildings that reflect our natural environment. Young families and couples getting into their first homes need to be secure in the knowledge their home is built by qualified professionals. Construction standards for houses and buildings are fundamental to the health and safety of the community. They protect public safety and the investment New Zealanders have made in their home. Standards have changed significantly during this decade to protect home owners from the lax regime put in place in the 1990s and to assist those who have been affected by leaky homes. There was immediate action to make sure the leaky buildings problem was not allowed to continue. Much of this work was done by setting benchmark standards across the building and construction sector and through local government. A Weathertight Homes Resolution Service was put in place to assist leaky homes victims to seek redress and help resolve disputes. Since then there have been further refinements of the rules and efforts have been made to create more flexibility in the Building Act while at the same time protecting owners of homes and buildings. Strong Proven Leadership 283
10 years ago... deregulation of the industry resulted in catastrophic failures across the building sector, leading directly to the leaky buildings problem. Today stronger standards are in place to protect the interests of home owners and prevent something like the leaky buildings crisis from happening again. 10 years from now streamlined regulation and strong self-policing will mean lower construction costs while keeping homes and buildings safe, healthy and comfortable. The building and construction industry is healthier and stronger now than it was at the beginning of the decade. The industry is better off with Labour because we are headed in the right direction with a common-sense approach to regulations. But there is more to do. Labour will put in place further changes to building and construction standards to obtain good, safe buildings at reasonable cost. Labour will simplify the Building Code requirements for the design and construction of all buildings while protecting health, safety and investment. Simplifying the rules for simple building work makes it easier for DIY-builders to continue a Kiwi tradition without unnecessary red tape. We are also looking at ways to streamline approvals for starter homes that meet the needs of families trying to get into home ownership for the first time. We have already commissioned designs and an architectural competition. Substantial savings for starter homes have already been identified. Labour will work on developing and extending the successful starter homes portfolio of designs. These changes will assist in making home ownership more affordable by accelerating the approval process, thereby reducing costs. We intend to consult closely to ensure these changes work as effectively as possible. We will work with competent, experienced practitioners involved in building design and construction, and with those involved in administering building and construction standards both within the industry and in territorial authorities. Labour will work with the industry to simplify legislation, organise appropriate training of practitioners throughout the industry, and safeguard quality, safety, and health. This could involve looking at the effectiveness of current liability provisions in the building sector and investigating the possibility of self-certification by appropriately qualified and indemnified builders. The inaugural building summit in Auckland in mid-2008 drew widespread agreement from industry leaders. They agreed to create a forum which will recommend changes Strong Proven Leadership 284
to the consents process for large-scale construction. This would mean only a single consent would be required when developers want to undertake the large-scale construction of standard homes using the same general design. This will further assist with bringing down construction costs. Labour will work with Territorial Authorities to develop centralised data bases to assist in consent processes and provide information on designs and building products. Consistency in the sector is crucial to providing peace-of-mind and security for New Zealanders wanting to build new homes. One way we intend to achieve this is through encouraging greater uniformity across all local government and building consents authorities to ensure timely and cost-efficient processes and avoid duplication. Labour will develop a nationwide set of guidelines on standardssetting to help improve consistency in the administration of different Building Consent Authority jurisdictions and in the rule-making of different Territorial Authorities. Many New Zealanders today and in the future may not choose to own a home. Lifestyle choices mean an increasing number will choose to rent, live in apartments and other multi-unit properties or, for many elderly people, opt for the safe, comfortable and happy retirement village environment. Labour is committed to safeguarding and protecting the rights of all of these groups. We have already reviewed the code of practice for retirement homes to protect the interests of older people and their families Labour will put in place changes protecting property rights and titles within multi-units and high-rise apartments by modernising the out-of-date laws governing this area. The law covering the rights and responsibilities of both unit title owners and bodies corporate needs to be brought up to date because of changes in the way many New Zealanders are choosing to live, including the high number of people living in apartments and other high-density accommodation. Labour will proceed with amendments to the Unit Titles Act to provide security and fairness for stakeholders in medium and high density accommodation. As New Zealand renews and expands its housing stock, we also need to take account of our ageing population, with more people living longer into an active retirement. We need to future-proof our houses so that residences remain liveable and accessible for people throughout their lives. Labour will encourage, where reasonably possible, the design and construction of residences to ensure that a higher proportion of the housing Strong Proven Leadership 285
stock is suitable to meet the needs of people of all abilities including the elderly. Research is a vital component to ensuring the New Zealand building industry is among the best in the world, taking advantage of the most innovative and effective design and construction ideas. Labour will work with and support the Building Research Association of New Zealand to ensure New Zealand stays abreast of innovation and effective future industry development. The first state house today, built by the Labour Government in 1937
Rental Affordability Secure and Healthy

While Labour wants as many Kiwis as possible to own their own home, we also recognise that for some people, that takes time while for others it may never be an option. That is why Labour supports the provision of affordable and secure rental accommodation. The Labour Party has a very proud tradition of providing state housing for those who need it. It was the first Labour government, led by Michael Joseph Savage in 1937, that first recognised the state had a vital role to play in providing New Zealanders with secure and healthy housing. The number of state houses has largely been restored this decade Since then the Labour Party has remained 75,000 committed to providing state housing for those who need it. In the past nine years we have 70,000 added over 7,800 homes to the state housing stock.
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Labour will increase the supply of affordable, secure and healthy rental accommodation. The state house waiting list is reducing but there are still priority applicants who need to be housed more quickly. Labour is therefore committed to providing more state houses and to revitalising existing state house communities.
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Labour will continue to expand the provision of quality Housing New Zealand accommodation. While not everyone needs a state house, they do need affordable and secure rental housing. Currently there are some councils and small not-for-profit housing Strong Proven Leadership 286
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organisations providing affordable rental housing. Labour wants to help these groups grow so they can expand their provision of affordable rental accommodation. Labour will work with local government and not-for-profit agencies to support the expansion and provision of affordable rental accommodation. Labour recognises it is important the government sets an example for other landlords to follow. That is why the current state house insulation programme is being dramatically accelerated, improving tenant health and reducing power bills. Labour will fast-track the insulation of state houses so that the remaining homes without insulation are retrofitted within 5 years. The new timeframe will see 21,000 state houses insulated within five years. Almost 12 homes a day will be insulated, doubling the pace of Housing New Zealands existing Energy Efficiency Retrofit campaign which began in 2001. Many homes in the South Island, where it is colder, have already been insulated. Houses in Auckland, Wellington and Manawatu with significant concentrations of state housing, will be targeted next. A retrofit includes insulation of floors and ceilings, hot water cylinder wraps and lagging around hot water pipes. Efficient heaters will also be installed where appropriate.
Role of State Housing in an Economic Stimulus package

The New Zealand economy is clearly facing short term challenges from the global financial turbulence. Labour will ensure that the current international crisis does not lead to a prolonged recession in New Zealand. We have begun work on an economic stimulus package which will be implemented if the projected impacts on the New Zealand economy remain as they appear to be at the moment. The state housing portfolio could have a role to play in this economic stimulus package. Labour has worked hard to acquire state housing during its time in government, but we want to see the waiting list reduced even further, particularly for those applicants with a high housing need. While the building industry is experiencing a slowdown, there is potential to boost the number of state houses planned for construction, and bring forward redevelopments already planned on Housing New Zealand property. As noted above, Housing New Zealand is also working to insulate all state houses, currently within a five year timeframe. There is also a significant modernisation and maintenance programme involved in ensuring that all state house tenants are living in Strong Proven Leadership 287
decent accommodation. These are job-rich areas of work, with the potential to pick up slack in demand experienced by the building and construction sector. Labour is prepared to bring forward the current spending programme on home retrofitting, upgrading the State Housing stock, and planned development on Housing New Zealand land.
Emergency Housing Helping those in need

Sometimes people have urgent housing needs that cannot be met by the market. They may have experienced a sudden life shock such as a family violence incident or a marriage break-up. Alternately they may struggle to pay the rent as a result of mental illness, drug or alcohol abuse. The government supports emergency housing and is currently providing about 400 community groups with over 1,500 houses some of which are used as emergency housing. This year we significantly increased the amount of funding for non-governmental organisations helping provide these services. And earlier this year we successfully intervened to reduce the number of families with children living in inappropriate situations in some South Auckland boarding houses. But we need to do more. Vulnerable people need to be supported and provided with pathways toward stable tenancies. We need more emergency housing to ensure there is a bed for everybody who needs one, as well as the necessary support to eventually help them back into more permanent accommodation. Labour will expand the provision of emergency housing to accommodate people in difficult circumstances such as rehabilitating prisoners, families escaping domestic violence and people using mental health services. We need agencies to share information and knowledge about families and how they can best be helped. We need to make sure children living in emergency housing are placed in accommodation that is appropriate. Labour will develop a central inter-agency protocol to ensure families with children are not housed in inappropriate accommodation such as boarding houses. We need to improve our knowledge of homeless people and the distinct and often complex range of problems they face. We also need an accurate assessment of how many homeless there are.
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Labour will define homelessness and assess the numbers of homeless people so that appropriate policy responses can be implemented.
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Celebrating diversity, eliminating discrimination
Labours policy for Human Rights
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An effective human rights framework is essential to the wellbeing of every New Zealander, for our security as a nation and for New Zealands long term social and economic development. Labour will continue to embed human rights and responsibilities in domestic law. We will also promote greater global respect for international human rights. Labour has a proud history of challenging poverty and inequality. In both domestic and international law we will promote policies and institutions that have delivered civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights. In the past 10 years many positive things have occurred in the area of human rights in New Zealand, including the development and implementation of the Youth Development Strategy, the New Zealand Disability Strategy, the New Zealand Positive Ageing Strategy and the Action Plan for Women. We have adopted a new national school curriculum that emphasises the importance of respecting human rights and the value of diversity. New migrant settlement and refugee re-settlement programmes have been established. The Pay and Employment Equity taskforce has led to the implementation of a 5-year plan to address the gender pay gap in the public service , public health and education sectors The role of the Human Rights Commission and the development of the Action Plan for Human Rights has been updated and extended. Labour will continue to build a strong inclusive New Zealand identity that values diversity and inclusion and is based on strong human rights. We will continue to support programmes on diversity, inclusion and human rights and responsibilities, consistent with the new national curriculum. Labour will improve access to knowledge about human rights and responsibilities. In particular, we will develop initiatives around particular practices that breach human rights such as dowry abuse and forced marriage. We will also ensure appropriate crime data is recorded so that hate crime can be better identified. Labour will comprehensively tackle the barriers that prevent disabled people from fully participating in society. We will continue to strengthen special education provision so that children with special learning needs can have those needs met. Labour wants all New Zealanders to achieve their full potential.
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Labour will continue to ensure that disabled peoples views are incorporated in policy-making by central government. We consider it vital that all voices are heard at all levels of government to create an inclusive and cohesive society that values the contribution of all our people.
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Connected Communities
Labours policy for Information and Communications Technology
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Introduction
Labour is committed to New Zealand being a world leader in using information and communications technology (ICT) for economic, social and cultural gain. We believe that a modern ICT infrastructure is core to New Zealand becoming a truly sustainable nation, and that improvements in ICT availability will deliver real and sustainable social, economic and environmental benefits. It is our aim that access to modern ICT infrastructure be available and affordable to all New Zealanders. Central to this is fibre-equivalent speed broadband. Labour believes there is an important role for government in helping to develop and promote the infrastructure, content and applications for ultra-high-speed broadband. Much has already been achieved in this area. New Zealands ICT regulatory framework is world class after the passing of the Telecommunications Act 2001 and its extensive revision in 2006. We have unbundled the local loop and operationally separated Telecom so that telecommunications users have access to greater choice in providers and better services. Our Digital Strategy is a world-leading whole-ofgovernment approach to the future prospects and challenges of the digital world and expands on our earlier investments in the area. Through the Broadband Investment Fund, we will ensure New Zealands telecommunications infrastructure is well prepared for the future, and we will not have to re-live the chronic under-investment and monopoly environment of previous decades. Labour will continue its record of successful and innovative approaches to information communications technology.
Investing in Further Broadband Roll out

In the last nine years we have created an environment to promote better broadband. We recognise there is further work to do to roll out broadband to all parts of New Zealand. Broadband can be a key driver of productivity and innovation in knowledge-based economies. With high-speed broadband, Kiwi companies will be better able to compete internationally; they will use new technologies that allow them to operate more effectively through smarter processes, new products and services. Labour will commit $500 million in our first 5 years of a 10 year plan to bring fibre or equivalent ultra fast bandwidth to 80 percent of New Zealand homes and business premises by 2018. Labour is committed to building and investing in fast broadband in our cities and rural areas, and important work is currently underway. Strong Proven Leadership 297
Labour will ensure that by 2012, 80 percent of New Zealanders will have broadband access of at least 20MBps and 90 percent have access of at least 10MBps. While availability of basic broadband in New Zealand is high and take-up has almost doubled over the past two years, there is no question that achieving our goals will require substantial further investment in broadband from all sectors. We have committed $500 million over the next five years to digital initiatives. This is a 5-year down payment on a 10-year plan to bring fibre or equivalent fast bandwidth to all New Zealand homes. The core part of this package is the Broadband Investment Fund. Labour will ensure an integrated broadband investment architecture so that there is overall interoperability across network components, appropriate assurance around service management, system security and investment efficiency. Labours broadband plan is technology neutral, open access and credibly supports the long-awaited pro-competitive environment that is bringing significant benefits to users. Through superior design, Labours broadband plan will leverage more private sector co-investment than other parties plans. Labour will also ensure that implementation of broadband development supports a coherent approach to higher level interoperability between service providers, and an efficient allocation of investment to support priority needs through rigorous analysis of competing proposals. Labours broadband plan prioritises investments that are open access at both duct and dark fibre level and include support, where appropriate, from local and regional government. Labour considers it essential that central government maintains an appropriate overview of nationwide digital architecture, without stifling investment and innovation by commercial or local players. Labour will ensure the rapid roll out of the Broadband Investment Fund, including its rural investment component. The core part of our investment package is the Broadband Investment Fund. In 2008 we set up the BIF to promote industry investment in New Zealands broadband infrastructure. It provides a pool of contestable funding for a major plan that will increase New Zealanders access to high-speed internet. Labour will ensure the BIF is implemented in a timely fashion so that Kiwis get access to the highest-quality broadband services, no matter where they live. We are making available $250m for urban projects, $75m for rural, and $15m for international connections, as well as $160m-plus for connectivity in health and education with another $10m or so for other new Digital Strategy initiatives. Strong Proven Leadership 298
There has been a very positive response to the initial round of applications for the broadband funding announced in Budget 2008. At that time, we advised that no more than 40 percent of the appropriated funds would be available for use in the first year. If regions in need of some additional economic stimulus have acceptable proposals, however, Labour will bring forward more of the funding into the first year. It is important we continue to build on the gains made in recent years. Five years down the track, technology will have evolved further, and it is possible that investment may need to take a different form or be directed in a different direction. Labour will investigate funding levels and options for the second five year period of a similar sized investment. Improved broadband will offer Kiwi families new ways of connecting with people, the ability to strengthen communities, and provide new economic opportunities by breaking down the barrier of distance. We will continue to ensure there is competition in the provision of broadband services so that Kiwis have a wide range of providers from which to choose, and the best possible services. Labour will complete the reform of the Telecommunications Service Obligations to ensure contestable provision of basic broadband services to all areas.
A More Competitive Telecommunications Environment

Information technology and broadband are essential to New Zealands economic and social wellbeing. The telecommunications world is continuing to change and grow at an ever-increasing pace. Because of this, Labour is committed to strengthening our communications sector. We will ensure that competition exists to provide a wide range of options for Kiwis, whether at home or at work. In the last nine years, Labour has revolutionised a poorly-performing telecommunications sector and made a commitment to improve services and affordability. We have passed pro-competitive telecommunications legislation to create a dynamic, competitive environment that means more choice and better value. Labour will continue to work closely with regulators to ensure full and timely implementation of policy. Strong Proven Leadership 299
Labour will ensure there is a competitive telecommunications environment with wide consumer choice and cheaper prices. We will continue our comprehensive plan to ensure competition in the telecommunications market, and better services for New Zealand consumers. We will do this through full implementation of the Telecommunications Stocktake a comprehensive package introduced in 2006 to address New Zealands relatively poor broadband performance. We will ensure that local loop unbundling and roll out of naked DSL continues in full and on schedule so that Kiwis have a wider variety of service providers from which to choose, and a higher standard of services. This work has already delivered results. Kiwis are reaping the rewards of more competition, cheaper services, and better broadband. Telecoms Operational Separation undertakings provides $1.4 billion of investment over four years with aggressive binding roll-out targets that requires rollout of an open next generation network to 84 percent of the population at 10MB and 89 percent at 5MB or better. We have regulated the ICT market so that competition can flourish and Kiwis can access high-speed digital technologies. Investment by entrants to the market has also increased markedly. New Zealand had the sixth fastest broadband growth in the OECD last year. It is our aim that New Zealand has technologies that enable us to communicate with each other, do business nationally and in the global market and gives people the capability they need to live and do business in 2008 and beyond.
Ensuring All New Zealanders Benefit from ICT

The pace of change in ICT continues to accelerate. The internet generation is entering the workforce, bringing new ideas and different values. They will be our future innovators and leaders in the digital space. Labour is committed to ensuring that all New Zealanders, regardless of income, get the best use from ICT. This commitment is being met through initiatives like Digital Strategy 2.0 which provides a bold vision and real actions to help New Zealanders become leaders in the digital world. Labour will fully implement the Digital Strategy 2.0 DS 2.0 challenges us to go further to secure outcomes from technology, including new digital productivity, reduced environmental footprints and communities that are locally networked and globally connected.
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Labour will expand free or low-cost internet access through programmes such as Aotearoa Peoples Network, School-based ICT, Computers in Homes, and KAREN. To do this we are introducing a number of exciting new projects such as Connected New Zealand and the Digital Content Innovation Cluster. Were also expanding successful initiatives, such as video-conferencing and teleworking, the Aotearoa Peoples Network and the Community Partnership Fund. We will continue the Kiwi Advanced Research and Education Network (KAREN) which provides ultra-highspeed connections between research institutions, libraries, schools, wananga and the rest of the world. Labour will improve internet security through enhanced user education, technical solutions (such as filtering), and appropriate legislation and regulation. Labour is committed to ensuring that Kiwis are safe when using the internet. We will improve internet security through both technological and human interventions, and will investigate legislative and regulatory changes where necessary.
Achieving sustainability through ICT

ICT has many potential benefits for the New Zealand economy, our society and Labours commitment to being more sustainable. Labour will boost the contribution of ICT to our environmental sustainability by encouraging telecommuting through the use of more video-conferencing and online work. Initiatives in Digital Strategy 2.0 such as teleworking, or working from home or on location, will help us to reduce our environmental footprint. We are identifying benefits and opportunities for teleworking and taking action to increase awareness and facilitate up-take. The benefits of teleworking are widely recognised as business productivity and cost savings; improved flexibility and work-life balance; increased workforce participation; reduced environmental impacts; and government and business continuity. Part of this initiative is tied to Labours programme to roll out broadband or other high bandwidth technologies across New Zealand, the other part will be co-ordinated with the Connected New Zealand initiative (which supports small and medium-sized businesses to invest and use digital technology to increase productivity).
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The outcome will be that by 2012, we will see a 5 percent reduction in the number of total car trips by New Zealanders between home and work.
Promoting Productivity through ICT

Economic transformation remains one of the governments major priorities for the next decade. Its goal is to ensure a high standard of living for all New Zealanders by building the countrys underlying capacity to respond to rapidly changing national and international circumstances. Effective, affordable and rapid communications technology is an essential path to that objective. Broadband is a key driver of productivity and innovation in a knowledgebased economy. We know that widespread use of ICT in the wider economy will bring us the biggest productivity gains, particularly in our largest exporting sectors - the pastoral and food industries. New Zealand is already a world-leader in these industries. Using digital technologies to drive productivity and growth is a key focus of Digital Strategy 2.0. The digital world means a fundamental change to how we do business, and the kind of business we do. Labour will promote business productivity through ICT by continuing to develop major digital content industry clusters. Labour will use ICT to foster entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation. We will also seek out ideas and solutions from the best of what the rest of the world has to offer and use them to increase productivity across our economy. Labour believes there is huge potential for New Zealand to create innovative digital solutions to increase productivity, efficiency and environmental sustainability. Labour will improve ICT training and mentoring resources for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Upskilling our businesses is fundamental to driving productivity growth. Labour is committed to working with businesses and providing them with the resources needed to get them connected so they employ and train technology-savvy staff. Under Labours ICT plans, firms will be better able to compete internationally through the use of new technologies that allow them to operate more effectively through smarter processes, new products and services. Labour will promote business productivity by lowering the cost of international broadband connections. Labour believes the priority for improving our international connections is by facilitating the deployment of a trans-Tasman cable which will help drive down the Strong Proven Leadership 302
cost of connecting to the rest of the world. This will be achieved through a competitive tender process run by Research and Education Advanced Network New Zealand (REANZ), and for which we have invested $15 million in a co-investment project. Labour would like to see further investment in our international links. Increased competition in the market will drive prices down further and provide more choice for consumers.
Realising the Benefits of Convergence of ICT and Broadcasting

We are seeing convergence in every aspect of our lives; digital media and content now impact on the lives of all New Zealanders in some way. The convergence of ICT and broadcasting is resulting in new ways of delivering and receiving traditional media and information. The pro-competitive policy Labour introduced through the Telecommunications Stocktake is driving the convergence of many technologies. Labour will future-proof ICT policy so that all New Zealanders benefit from the convergence of the ICT and broadcasting industries. Labour will review options for converging regulation of broadcasting and communications technology. In the last decade the internet and other forms of communication (such as cell phones) have increasingly become vehicles for broadcasting, and traditional broadcasting receivers (such as television) have become more interactive. This will continue to be the case in the future. It is important therefore that we ensure the regulatory environment keeps pace with technological changes to ensure New Zealanders receive safe, competitive and high-quality services regardless of the medium through which they are accessing them. We will ensure that government policy makers are fully aware of all aspects of the post-convergence world. Labour will review opportunities for public access to high priority content. Labour wants New Zealanders to have the best possible access to digital content, especially that produced locally. We will encourage more innovative ventures such as the New Zealand On Screen, a New Zealand On Air project that is making much of our rich cultural heritage available online and free of charge. We will work to ensure that New Zealanders have better access to important local content.
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Creating Unique Digital Content

Labour recognises the importance of digital content to New Zealand. Our Digital Content Strategy seeks to recognise and leverage content to our advantage. Labour will fully implement the Digital Content Strategy. The Content Strategy shares the same vision as the Digital Strategy - for New Zealand to be a world leader in using information and technology to realise its economic, social, environmental and cultural goals to the benefit of all its people. When content is relevant and of high quality, it builds our appetite for better, more customised information delivery and know-how. It raises new challenges for social equity, our cultural heritage and business development. Labour will digitise priority public content stocks such as library, archives, and film collections. We want a New Zealand where Kiwis can easily access their culture and heritage. One way we can do this is by digitising public collections - bringing content to people through new media such as the internet. Labour will create a contestable fund for digital content creation through Digital New Zealand. Labour will continue to accelerate the development of unique Kiwi digital content. We will do this by promoting the creation of innovative and high quality digital content through an annual contestable fund.
Building a Strong ICT Skills Base

Labour knows that ICT is vital to realising our economic, social, environmental and cultural goals. We understand that to achieve our vision for ICT and to get all the benefits of a highperforming ICT sector, we need to build a strong skills base. It is important New Zealand gets the best out of its ICT businesses and skilled workers. Labour will ensure we have high-technology companies with highly skilled staff. The ICT industry, wider business community, education sector and government need to work together to ensure our skills are up-to-date and world-leading. The Digital Strategy 2.0 includes a number of actions designed to address the current skills shortage in the ICT sector and wider community by promoting digital careers and
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skills, matching tertiary courses to industry needs and attracting more skilled ICT practitioners to New Zealand. Labour will pilot an ICT apprenticeship scheme. We believe it is important to accelerate skills development in every sector, and ICT is central to a transition to a highly-skilled country. Labour will pilot an ICT apprenticeship scheme to train New Zealanders in ICT skills and prepare them for work in the industry. Labour will investigate the formation of an ICT Industry Training Organisation and inclusion of ICT training in the Modern Apprenticeships Scheme. Participation in Industry Training has increased dramatically in the last decade, from around 81,000 industry trainees in 2000 to around 190,000 trainees this year working with 40 Industry Training Organisations. But there is currently no specialist ICT Industry Training Organisation. We think this is an opportunity to fill a gap in the training needs of New Zealanders. We will also investigate the formation of a specialist ICT Industry Training Organisation to increase excellence in training. Labours Modern Apprenticeships scheme has been very successful. By the end of June 2008, a combined total of 17,287 young New Zealanders were either currently doing or had completed Modern Apprenticeships. But ICT skills training could be better incorporated into Modern Apprenticeships, as the scope of ICT training is currently quite limited. Labour will therefore investigate incorporating ICT training programmes into the Modern Apprenticeships Scheme.
Ensuring the Market Continues to Deliver Quality and Affordable Services

The regulatory reforms Labour has made in ICT over the last nine years made our telecommunications market more competitive, kept prices down and accelerated broadband roll out. Unbundled local loop and bitstream, the 2006 Telecommunications Amendment Act, naked DSL, number portability and the operational separation of Telecom New Zealand are proof that we have got our regulatory systems in order. We are committed to building the progress we have already made to achieve our overall vision for the ICT sector. Labour will ensure the telecommunications market continues to deliver quality and affordable services. Labour will continue to make improvements to the ICT market by reviewing the regulatory environment by 2011 and investigating options for improvement. Strong Proven Leadership 305
Our measures to regulate the market so far have meant more New Zealanders have access to high-speed internet via their home computers, laptops and on their mobile phones and can choose their provider. It is important we build on this new foundation to ensure that a competitive telecommunications market continues to deliver for New Zealanders. Labour wants all New Zealanders to have access to broadband and the types of new technologies that will help our communities and our economy prosper and help us to keep up with the rest of the world. Labour will review Telecoms performance under operation separation and investigate options for improvement. A significant action in recent years has been the operational separation of Telecom. A monopoly in business services is never the healthiest option for consumers, which is why we acted to increase competition in the market. This has been successful, with greatly increased investment in New Zealand telecommunications infrastructure from a number of companies. Through the independent oversight process, we will continue to monitor Telecoms operational separation to ensure that New Zealanders have access to a world class and competitive market for their telecommunications needs.
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Immigration to Help Our Economy Grow
Labours policy for Immigration
2008
Introduction
Labour is committed to creating a world-class immigration system that is built around firm but fair policies, and which contributes to our economic transformation. We recognise the important part that immigration has to play in transforming our economy to a dynamic, knowledge-based society that values fairness, opportunity and security. We also recognise the importance of our immigration policies continuing to be built on a foundation of kiwis first, so that the migrants we are attracting to New Zealand are filling labour market gaps, not taking jobs for which New Zealanders are available. That is why we will continue to focus on migrants who are best placed to contribute to the New Zealand economy. Labour also acknowledges the social benefits immigration can bring. Migrants broaden and enrich our cultural diversity and understanding. Family migration can strengthen families and assist with good settlement outcomes. Immigration also helps enable us to meet our international humanitarian obligations. We will continue to promote a multicultural society where refugees and other migrants are able to make a full contribution and have good settlement outcomes. In order to maintain public confidence in our immigration policies, we need to show that we are encouraging the people we need to come to New Zealand while also minimising and managing risks. We need to balance the need for security and compliance with reasonable access for genuine migrants and their families.
Enhancing our Economy through Immigration

Like the rest of the world, New Zealands population has become increasingly multicultural during the last decade, and that has had an overall positive impact on our economy, society and families. Migrants enhance our economy by reminding us to think and act globally. They drive innovation, give our businesses international connections and provide a range of Immigration arrivals tend to increase and skills to transform our economic decline in time with the economic cycle landscape.
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Our migrant population contributes billions of dollars to our economy each year, and this contribution has been steadily growing over the past decade. That is largely due to New Zealand becoming better at attracting the migrants it wants and needs. We are among the best in the world at matching immigrants to jobs.
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New Zealand has benefited from consistently positive net migration over the past seven years. However the global immigration environment is changing and becoming increasingly competitive in terms of skilled migrants. We must change with it so that we maintain our international competitive advantages and continue to attract the migrants with the skills New Zealand needs for our economic growth. Some of the most sought-after migrants internationally are those that are willing to invest money in the country they choose to live in. Investor migrants can make a vital contribution to our economy through their commercial experience, international connections and financial capital. In the past there have been investor policies that have been more about quantity than quality. Lower investment and English language criteria saw a large influx of investor migrants, but the true value of many of these migrants was questionable because many did not actually have the skills to settle properly and much of the investment was passive and not used for the benefit of New Zealand. Labour has brought in an active investor migrant policy that is more focused on economic development than previous policies. Active investment involves investing directly or indirectly in New Zealand firms. Labour will continue to offer an investor migrant policy that is focused on active investment and that allows flexibility in the requirements for different levels of investor migrant. We also recognise that there is more to immigration than just bringing people here. The role of the Immigration Service does not end at the point a migrant arrives. Once we have attracted a migrant here because we believe they have something to contribute to our economy or society, we need to have appropriate support structures in place to ensure they are equipped to make that contribution. Research shows that the net fiscal contribution migrants make increases the longer they stay in New Zealand. So the settlement support strategies that Labour has put in place benefit both migrants and our economy. During this decade we have improved settlement support, particularly in the main areas where migrants choose to settle. There is better planning for, and more consistent delivery of, settlement services. Labour will continue to extend the New Zealand settlement strategy into regions throughout the country in partnership with local authorities. Our settlement work will continue to focus on working collaboratively with central and local government agencies, non-government agencies and community groups.
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Addressing Labour Shortages

New Zealand has been experiencing record low unemployment rates in recent years, so we have adapted our immigration policies to help meet labour shortages and ensure New Zealand has people with the skills we might otherwise be lacking. Importantly though, these policies have been developed with the flexibility to allow us to respond quickly to any change in the labour market situation. New Zealands immigration system is now envied internationally for its flexibility and ability to adapt quickly to emerging opportunities and risks. Our skilled migrant policy, for example, can be easily changed to reflect labour-market conditions and New Zealand's requirements. The skill shortages list is also responsive to the labour market, with regular employer-led reviews to decide whether occupations should be added or removed. Over the past five years, migrants have accounted for 60 percent of the growth in the national workforce. Much of that growth has occurred in skill shortage areas areas that are vital to the basic functioning and future growth of our economy. Temporary workers enable our employers to fill job vacancies when there are no New Zealanders available to take up the positions. We have adopted a flexible approach to meeting labour shortages in key sectors in consultation with our Pacific neighbours, without compromising local jobs or border security. In particular, our Recognised Seasonal Employment Scheme enables the horticulture and viticulture industries to recruit workers, primarily from Pacific countries, to fill labour gaps. Labour will build on existing policies, including the Skilled Migrant Category, the Essential Skills Policy and the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme, to ensure we are continuing to attract the skills and talent we need and helping to fill labour gaps, while maintaining a firm focus on protecting jobs for New Zealanders first. The Recognised Seasonal Employment Scheme has meant that, for example, for the first time in many years there were no public concerns about labour shortages during the busy apple harvests in Nelson and Hawkes Bay. Likewise, the scheme is providing our Pacific neighbours with new opportunities and income for their people. A Hawkes Bay employer reports that up to 80 percent of workers net earnings have been sent home and used to construct buildings, buy village vehicles and contribute to their childrens education. We also know that in Vanuatu a number of villagers are using their earnings from the scheme to progress a range of community projects. A one-year audit of the Recognised Seasonal Employment scheme has found that pastoral care and work practice issues have been reasonably well managed. But there Strong Proven Leadership 310
are some lessons we can take out of the first year of this scheme and improvements can be made. Labour will enhance the Recognised Seasonal Employment scheme through: improved pre-departure information being provided to workers so they are better prepared upon arrival in New Zealand; further improvements to pastoral care so that workers are looked after while they are here; and more flexible working arrangements. These improvements will be implemented in time for next season. We will introduce a new provision for workers to change between employers in the scheme. This will mean that employers have more flexibility and employees have more work opportunities. We will continue to monitor terms and conditions of employment through the Recognised Seasonal Employment Scheme to ensure that both workers and employers needs are protected. We will also continue to run labour market checks to ensure that workers are not being brought in unless there are no New Zealanders available to do the work. Workers for Recognised Seasonal Employers are not eligible for publicly funded health care. However during the first year of the scheme most employers did organise health insurance for their staff. It is important that health care is accessible for workers so that any medical conditions can be treated early, however it is also important that New Zealanders are not disadvantaged by the health issues of these temporary workers. Labour will maintain close relationships with the Pacific region in terms of immigration policy. Labour will ensure our immigration policies continue to recognise the special relationship between New Zealand and the Pacific. Expatriate New Zealanders can be viewed as part of a larger pool of talent that New Zealand can draw on to fill labour market gaps. The movement of skilled migrants between countries is now a global norm, with comparable countries such as Australia experiencing similar trends to us. We do not want to discourage young New Zealanders from doing their traditional OE, or overseas work experience, because these people generally return to New Zealand with valuable work and life experience. However it is important that we have avenues to contact skilled New Zealanders overseas so that we can continue to promote their eventual return home. While New Strong Proven Leadership 311
Zealand citizens are obviously excluded from all requirements in the Immigration Act, there is a role that Immigration New Zealand can play through its international presence and contacts. Labour will ensure that the Immigration Service continues to market New Zealand overseas as a great place to live, work and raise a family, targeting people with the skills needed to grow our economy. This message will apply to potential migrants and expatriate New Zealanders and be conveyed through, for example, international career expos and its existing New Zealand Now website.
Managing Immigration Risks

Immigration is an essential part of a modern, global society. While we need to have policies that help facilitate the arrival of people who can contribute positively to New Zealand, we also need to have policies and processes in place to ensure that our borders are well controlled and protected. There is no doubt that immigration is essential for our economic growth. But New Zealanders need to continue to have confidence that, while we are encouraging the people that we need in New Zealand to come here, we are also minimising and managing risks. It is important that we strike the right balance between stringent security measures and reasonable access for genuine migrants and their families. This means striking a balance between increased detection, detention and deportation powers and human rights. One of the most effective ways of protecting our borders is by stopping those who may pose a risk to New Zealand before they even reach our border. Labour in government introduced a system of Advanced Passenger Processing in 2003 to help identify these people before they even board the plane. As the number of people being declined when boarding has increased, the number of people refused entry at the border and the number of undocumented passengers detained in New Zealand has decreased. This shows that we have been successful in extending the border offshore and managing risks before they arrive. Labour believes this approach is the most effective way of protecting New Zealanders and we will invest in further security measures outside of our own borders. Labour will increase border security at international airports with direct flights to New Zealand by establishing an airport liaison officer at each of these ports who will pre-screen travellers at their point of departure. Strong Proven Leadership 312
Technology is continuing to develop at a rapid pace and we must ensure that our immigration systems are also continuing to evolve and improve. Labour will continue to improve information technology capability at Immigration New Zealand to help protect our borders. For example, we will implement systems that enable biometric border management which is consistent with New Zealand's privacy and human rights legislation, and we will improve risk profiling systems so that immigration decisions are made with the best information possible. There is also room for improvement within our immigration processes. There are already many changes in the pipeline through an Immigration Bill that the Labour-led government has before Parliament. The Immigration Bill will replace the current Immigration Act and provide a framework that balances the rights of the individual against the national interest. The Bill modernises and simplifies appeal and review processes without removing essential oversight and review mechanism safeguards, and without denying refugees and migrants access to natural justice. Labour believes that the Immigration Bill will deliver a system that will better serve New Zealanders and migrants into the future. Labour will ensure that the Immigration Bill is passed into law at the earliest opportunity. We will then implement a number of new measures allowed for in the Bill, such as: A simpler visa system: which will mean visas, permits and exemptions will all be rolled into a universal visa system. a streamlined, more efficient but appropriate deportation process; a single independent appeals tribunal rather than the current four separate appeals bodies. This will allow appeals to be streamlined without reducing peoples appeal rights; a single appeal to the tribunal, meaning that all grounds for appeal must be presented on lodgement rather than the current situation where people may make multiple appeals to separate tribunals; better incentives for third parties such as employers and education providers to comply with their immigration obligations.
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Refugees Meeting our International Obligations

New Zealand has a reputation as a nation that is willing to make a stand on the international stage on matters of humanitarian concern. Labour believes New Zealand should be proud of that reputation and should be working hard to maintain it. Labours vision for New Zealand is a country that is committed to ensuring that refugees and their families settle well; a country which welcomes newcomers and provides a safe and peaceful place to live, especially for those who have experienced difficult times in their own countries; a country that is strong and inclusive. Our contribution to alleviating world refugee crises is not limited to offering resettlement places. On a bipartisan basis, New Zealand also supports family reunification of refugees already in this country and offers international protection to successful asylum seekers claiming refugee status on our shores. Underscoring our vision for an inclusive nation that meets our humanitarian obligations are our settlement support operations. Settlement support helps to ensure the migrants we have attracted here and the refugees who make New Zealand their new home, feel welcome, integrate well into our society and make New Zealand their permanent home. Gone are the days when we accepted refugees into New Zealand but gave them little help once they had completed the basic induction into the Kiwi way of life at the Mangere centre. We have stepped up to the mark in fully supporting refugee resettlement in New Zealand. We recognise that many refugees and their families have high needs when they arrive here and may take more time to settle than other migrants. Labour will ensure that refugees continue to receive the support they need through government agencies and by working closely with relevant community groups, including through the expansion of our settlement support programme.
Immigration Advocacy
A firm but fair approach underpins the immigration policies that Labour promotes. This means having adequate protections for migrants as well as for New Zealanders. Labour has introduced compulsory licensing of immigration advisors to provide more protection for new and potential migrants. People who choose to live and work in New Zealand deserve certainty about the immigration advice they receive. They need to know that they will get correct and relevant information, and that their best interests will be served. Licensing will help make that happen. Strong Proven Leadership 314
However not all migrants can afford to access assistance and representation through an immigration advisor or a lawyer, and in 1999 legal aid for immigration appeals was removed for all but refugee cases. Labour will see that a community based immigration advocacy service is set up to provide advice and advocacy for at-risk migrants unable to afford representation. Such a service may also perform the following functions: Assistance for persons in immigration detention but who are ineligible for legal aid; Assistance where appropriate with appeals for those unable to self advocate or to afford representatives; and Assistance in making complaints of immigration fraud to the Registrar and in seeking recovery from unethical immigration consultants.
The service will be administered independently of Immigration New Zealand but will encourage lawful compliance and work constructively with the Immigration Service, Ombudsman and Registrar of Immigration advisors.
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Skills for our Current and Future Workforce
Labours policy for Industry Training
2008
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Introduction
A skilled workforce is a major driver of economic growth and innovation. A skilled workforce lifts productivity, improves New Zealands global competitiveness and helps our industries. Skills, knowledge, information and creativity are becoming the main drivers of our country's competitive advantage. New Zealand must become a nation that values and encourages innovation, recognises and capitalises on our unique qualities and strengths, and competes confidently and successfully in the global marketplace.
Training in the Workplace

Improving the skills of the current workforce is crucial for New Zealand to achieve economic transformation and to move towards a high-skill, high-wage economy. If New Zealand is to actively participate in the knowledge economy and society, then our people must be able to enhance their skills throughout their lifetime. Employers will need an increasingly well-trained workforce to deal with the ever-changing environment in which they operate. Industry training is structured workplace learning and skill development arranged through one of 40 industry training organisations (ITOs). It involves formal training provided for people who are employed in a particular industry so skills are linked to the needs of workers and workplaces in that industry. Participation in industry training has increased dramatically during this decade. It has trebled to an estimated 190,000 during 2008, with funding increasing by a similar amount. Workers and trainees are better supported than ever before to improve their skills and gain a sense of purpose and opportunity. Nearly 40,000 employers are now involved in industry training, with government-supported pathways and structures to help them reach their goals through a better trained workforce. Ten years ago . . . there were no trades training pathways for our young people. Today . . . we have established a training culture for our younger people and the wider workforce. During 2008 an estimated 190,000 people are industry trainees. Ten years from now . . . the majority of our tradespeople will have benefited from training and there will be ongoing and structured support for these people to progress in their careers. Labour has a strong belief in the benefits of skills training for New Zealand and has invested heavily in it. With the commitments we have made in government, up to and including this years Budget, the annual investment by 2010 will be more than three times what it was in 2000. Strong Proven Leadership 319
This years Budget introduced a provision for annual increases to the Industry Training Fund in line with the Consumer Price Index. We also provided funding to support development of the strategic leadership role of industry training organisations. And just as governments investment in skills training has risen sharply, so has investment from industry up from $24 million in 2000 to $65.5 million last year. Labour intends to build on the investment we have made in the last nine years. Labour will continue to increase industry training so that by 2011, ten per cent of New Zealands workforce is participating in recognised industry training over the course of a calendar year. We have previously set targets for industry training numbers, and this made sense while there was a need to substantially increase the number of trainees. We still need to keep increasing but there is no longer the same training deficit as at the start of the decade. Reaching and maintaining a target of ten percent of the workforce will signal the ongoing importance of industry training while also providing some certainty to ITOs.
Labour brought back apprenticeships in a new form that meets the needs of todays workplace. Labours Modern Apprenticeship Scheme has been important in attracting young people back to traditional trade occupations. The scheme involves young people in workplace learning from the start of their careers and will make an important contribution to Labours new Schools Plus plan for every young person to continue in education and training through to the age of 18. In the last decade the Modern Apprenticeship Scheme has exceeded targets for growth. By the middle of this year, more than 17,000 young New Zealanders had either completed a modern apprenticeship or were actively engaged in one. We have already put funding in place so that 14,000 modern apprentices will be in training by the end of 2008. Labour will increase the number of modern apprentices in training by 1,000 a year so that 17,000 people are in modern apprenticeship training by December 2011.
Skills Strategy
Labour believes that New Zealand must take a more strategic approach to skills development, both in terms of enabling more of our young people to be in a position Strong Proven Leadership 320
to access it and through improving the skills of people already in the workforce. After all, eighty per cent of those working now will still be in the workforce in 2020. To this end, Labour has been working with business and unions to improve the productivity of our workplaces and to ensure all workers have the skills they need for a better standard of living. The Skills Strategy is the next step in the evolution of industry training. It explicitly links skills development with productivity. Lifting the numbers involved in skills training is not enough on its own - we need to increase our capacity to harness those skills in order to drive productivity and competitiveness. The Skills Strategy will not only lift skills levels across the workforce but will equip our workers with better management and leadership skills. This will ensure that firms can better harness the skills young people learn through industry training and modern apprenticeships. Industry training and modern apprenticeships provide the base for our workforce; the Skills Strategy provides the boost needed if we are to move to a high-wage economy. Labour believes that New Zealand's future wealth, global competitiveness and economic transformation rely on the skills of its employees and the way that industry supports workers to reach their full career potential. That is why we need a Skills Strategy that encourages: The use and development of our workforce skills A focus on skills development that meets the needs of industry Formal qualifications that reflect industry requirements Support from employers to employees to ensure workers reach their potential.
Labour will fully implement all components of the New Zealand Skills Strategy. This includes improved language, literacy and numeracy in the workforce, improved management and leadership capability and skills planning, and streamlining government programmes aimed at supporting firm capability and improving their links with private sector initiatives. Labour values and encourages co-ordination between government, business, unions and industry training organisations in the establishment of the Skills Strategy and the achievement of its goals. We are committed to maintaining these relationships into the future.
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Labour will ensure alignment of the Skills Strategy as it relates to the existing workforce and with the major Schools Plus initiative as it relates to the emerging workforce. Schools Plus is Labours initiative to significantly reform our secondary school system by offering all young New Zealanders a stronger educational foundation. It is aimed at ensuring that by 2014, all young people are in education, training or some form of structured learning until the age of 18. By staying in education or training longer, our young people will secure a better future for themselves and their families.
The Evolving Role of Industry Training Organisations

Industry training has grown and changed during this decade in a number of important ways. The tertiary education reforms and the establishment of the Tertiary Education Commission have given industry training the same status as other education and training pathways in the tertiary system. Labour believes the industry training system provides flexible training responses for industry. We will carry out the commitment made in the Skills Strategy to further explore flexible skills solutions, particularly for frontline managers and small-tomedium enterprises. Labour will improve the way that institutes of technology and polytechnics (ITPs) and industry training organisations work together, encouraging more joint curriculum development, clearer qualifications for students and more flexible learning pathways. This includes what is often referred to as overlapping provision. This is a longstanding issue and one that will require commitment and compromise from all parties. Labour will work to ensure there is the momentum needed to deliver sensible outcomes. As representatives of their industries, Labour encourages the input of ITOs into how government investment in vocational education and training is distributed. This is consistent with the tertiary education reforms and with Labours support for developing the strategic leadership role of ITOs. We announced in this years Budget that the government would provide funding over four years to further support ITOs strategic leadership role. Industry training organisations, polytechnics and other tertiary stakeholders have also identified that the qualifications system would benefit from undergoing a review. The Skills Strategy action plan acknowledges this and a targeted review of the qualifications system, focusing on diploma and certificate levels, is now underway. This provides an opportunity to examine current qualification design processes in terms of the extent to which they allow input from industry. Strong Proven Leadership 322
Labour will continue to fund support for the Strategic Leadership role of industry training organisations and the Industry Training Federation. Labour recognises that industry training is a partnership between employers, employees, and employee representatives. ITOs are required to periodically demonstrate that they can satisfactorily provide for the collective representation of employees in the governance of the ITO. Labour will continue to recognise the role of unions in the governance of industry training organisations.
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A Modern, Flexible and Fair Justice System for All
Labours policy for Justice
2008
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Introduction
Labour is committed to a modern, effective, fair and accessible justice system which makes offenders accountable, reduces offending, supports the victims of crime, and in turn, strengthens our communities. We want a country where the justice system is fair to both the accused and the victim, where justice is achieved, and importantly, seen to be achieved, by the public. Labour is committed to fighting crime on all levels. Every New Zealander is entitled to feel safe in their homes and in their community. The Government can facilitate and fund solutions in the battle against crime but no government can provide all the solutions. Labour believes in working with local authorities, with community organisations and with individuals to make our neighbourhoods as safe as we possibly can because we all need to take responsibility in the battle against crime.
The Needs of Victims

Labour is the only party to have passed legislation that enhances the rights of victims in the justice system. We have put in place a strong legislative framework for victims of crime through the Victims Rights Act 2002, and other legislation including the Sentencing Act 2002, the Parole Act 2002 and The Prisoners and Victims Claims Act 2005. More recently, the Evidence Act 2006 has provided for the needs of vulnerable witnesses and victims by making provision for witnesses to give evidence in alternative ways, such as giving evidence from behind a screen, via CCTV and pre-recorded video. The Victims Rights Act makes it clear that a victim, or a member of a victims family with welfare, health, counselling, medical or legal needs arising from an offence, should have access to services that are responsive to those needs. Labour will continue to focus on the needs of victims. Victims do not choose to be part of the criminal justice system but enter it because of the crimes committed against them. To be effective, the justice system needs people to have confidence in it and be supported through the process. Labour will act on the recommendations from the investigation being undertaken by the Law Commission into a comprehensive compensation scheme for victims of crime.
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While New Zealand has the Accident Compensation Scheme which covers some aspects of compensation for victims, a more comprehensive compensation scheme needs to be investigated. Labour has asked the Law Commission to undertake that investigation and will act upon the Commissions recommendations. Victims of crime have a right to information about the services that can help them. They also have a right to information about the criminal justice system, its processes, and what they can expect when they become part of it. Labour has already launched three important Victims Information Resources: The Victims Charter The Victims of Crime Information Line (0800 650 654) The Victims Information Website www.victimsinfo.govt nz The Victims Charter is a statement of the standard of service people affected by crime can expect from government agencies. The Charter sets out in plain language the principles and rights contained in the Victims Rights Act in an accessible and concise format. It is a significant step in ensuring that victims of crime are aware of their rights under the Victims Rights Act. The Charter is also a reminder to those who deal with victims of the standard of service victims should receive. The Victims of Crime Information Line and the Information Website are new contact points for people affected by crime that will provide information about their rights and the justice system and assist them to access support services. We have also initiated a Review of Services for Victims of Crime focussing on making improvements to existing services. This includes work to develop the role of an independent Victim Advocate in the Family Violence Courts. Labour will investigate establishing a Victims Commissioner to oversee all matters relating to victims issues. The purpose of the advocate would be to ensure there is accountability against the expectations contained within the Victims Charter. Such an office might have powers of inquiry in response to complaints, but might be mandated to also report on particular matters outside of this. Labour will pass the Legal Services Amendment Bill to ensure that victims do not face any additional stress during the processing legal aid grants. A Legal Services Amendment Bill was introduced in August 2008. The changes proposed in the Bill will ensure victims do not face any additional stress during the processing of legal aid grants. The Bill provides that victims of crime (those affected by an alleged or committed offence) involved in Coronial Inquests and Parole Board hearings will not be subject Strong Proven Leadership 328
to financial eligibility tests, or need to repay legal aid grants when they need to be represented by a lawyer. The Bill will also enable the Legal Services Agency to write off legal aid debt for victims at the time legal aid is granted, rather than waiting until the end of the proceedings. Labour will also ensure a fair and equitable travel policy for victims requiring legal aid, including domestic violence matters. Labour will support victims of youth offending to participate fully in Family Group Conferences. Even though victim input is integral to restorative justice, it is often the case that victims do not attend Family Group Conferences. This will be addressed in part by providing travel costs, advocacy and emotional support for victims of young offenders. This will ensure that all victims can access support, services and information and are therefore able to participate fully in Family Group Conferences. Victim Support will be able to provide emotional support leading up to, during and following, the Family Group Conference.
Restorative Justice
Restorative justice programmes are working in a number of centres around New Zealand Labour will balance accountability and rehabilitation for the offender against victims needs for answers, apologies, restitution and prompt resolution outside of an adversarial court process by better incorporating restorative justice into our criminal justice system. We will continue to develop quality assurance processes for restorative justice. This will include establishing national practice standards for restorative justice providers and a single funding framework for the delivery of restorative justice services. Labour will also increase the availability of restorative justice services at District Courts. We will aim to provide for the same referral, funding, quality assurance and case management arrangements across all providers and all District Courts
Family Violence and Sexual Violence

Family violence is still minimised by many who fail to recognise its impact across all areas of our violence statistics. In the past nine years, since Labour began Strong Proven Leadership 329
campaigning to raise awareness of family violence, there has been a sharp increase in the number of offences reported. In fact, in the past years crime stats, family violence accounted for all the increase in violent offences. Police action has had a major role in terms of the reporting of family violence, with all frontline police now having training in the area. The successful Its not Ok campaign is also starting to impact on the figures. Labour will pass the Domestic Violence Reform Bill. The Bill, introduced in September, is designed to enable Police to issue interim protection orders; improve the response of the Criminal Court and the Family Court to victims of family violence; and to provide better protection for children in Family Court matters. Labour will also introduce legislation to address the recommendations of the Taskforce for Action on Sexual Violence that was set up in July last year. Addressing sexual violence requires a multi-faceted approach covering prevention, improved support for victims, and increased accountability for offenders both within and alongside the criminal justice system. Community feedback has now been received into the taskforce document Improvements to Sexual Violence Legislation in New Zealand which sought views on possible law changes to the area of consent, the defence of reasonable belief in consent (Crimes Act) and the admissibility of evidence relating to the sexual history of the complainant, also known as the Rape Shield. Changes will be made to legislation after this feedback is considered. Labour will fund an available and appropriate forensic evidential support service for victims of rape (for example the Sexual Assault Referral Centre model in the United Kingdom or Australia). The aim of this initiative is to ensure that any evidence gathered by the support service can be stored and the evidence and reports from the service be admissible as evidence in any subsequent criminal or civil proceedings. Not all victims of violence wish to make a complaint to the police immediately. Having Sexual Assault Referral Centres in place would ensure all victims of violence could easily access a service that can document any injuries and gather forensic evidence to support a prosecution in the future should the victim choose to make a complaint. This allows the evidence to be gathered outside of a police investigation but preserves the integrity of the evidence should it be required later.
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Strong and Valued Police

New Zealanders want our police to be visible, responsive to the community and has the resources needed to do its job. Our police organisation is one of the best in the world and Labour will ensure it has the powers, equipment and staff to keep our families and communities safe. Ten years ago Police were threatened by job cuts of 500 officers, police buildings and equipment were run-down and staff were demoralised. TodayWe have recruited an extra 2,500 police since 1999, and have built or refurbished 35 Police stations. Ten years from now.More police will be on the beat than ever before with the equipment and new powers they need to protect our families and communities. Labour has invested in police buildings, new vehicles, stab resistant armour and developing digital radio communication. Over the past twenty years, the role of police has continued to develop. Community policing gives local residents a sense of security and allows Police to better understand their communitys needs and concerns. Labour wants to further develop community policing through closer involvement of the whole community in the safety of their neighbourhoods. Police have set up new problem solving teams who listen to and engage with local residents and business owners to assess their needs and prioritise their concerns. Local agencies and community representatives will be encouraged to help identify and solve problems in their local area. New Zealanders are proud of their police. Although in recent times high-profile court cases have dented some peoples confidence in police, Labour moved quickly to address this issue by setting up the Commission of Inquiry into Police Conduct which made 60 recommendations. Good progress is being made on implementing all of these including the introduction of a Code of Conduct. Following the Commissions report, the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) was restructured, with clarified powers and procedures when police conduct is under investigation. Labour is currently working on legislation to enhance the powers of the IPCA. Proposals include allowing the Authority to undertake its own investigations of complaints about police misconduct in defined circumstances and amending current secrecy provisions so that information gathered during the Authoritys investigations can be used in any subsequent proceedings.
Trials and Sentencing

Major legislation was passed last year to make the criminal justice system more effective, particularly in providing alternatives to prison for low-risk offenders. Strong Proven Leadership 331
The new community-based sentences have been embraced by the judiciary, leading to a welcome reduction in prison numbers. Labour believes that as long as public safety isn't jeopardised, we should work to keep lesser offenders out of jail. The rate of recidivism of former prisoners is high, and community based sentences do have more effective outcomes. Earlier this decade Labour passed the Sentencing and Parole Acts of 2002, which took a tougher line against those who offended seriously and posed a risk to the safety of the community and now serve much longer prison sentences. This new legislation imposed much longer sentences on the worst offenders and required the safety of the public to be the paramount consideration in parole decisions. The new Bail Act in 2000 also took a tougher line, reversing the onus of proof so that hard core recidivist offenders had to prove to the Court why they should get bail. There is, however, a limit on the extent to which ongoing sharp increases in the prison population can solve the problem of criminal offending in New Zealand. The rate of imprisonment in New Zealand has doubled over the last 20 years and is much higher than Canada, Australia, England and most European countries. Under the Effective Interventions policy, Labour is working to counterbalance this by reducing the numbers serving short term sentences in prison. Non-custodial sentences such as home and community detention, enforced by electronic monitoring, are now being used more frequently by judges when the offender is deemed by them not to constitute a significant risk to the safety of society. Non-custodial sentences have many advantages. Absconding rates remain low and the rates of serious re-offending after non-custodial sentences are a little over a third of those of offenders doing a short prison sentence. Offenders on non-custodial sentences are less exposed to the negative peer pressure and gang recruitment that can occur in the prison environment. The result of Effective Interventions is that we have been able to stabilise the soaring prison population.
Consistent Sentencing
We need to establish sentencing guidelines to ensure consistency of sentencing across New Zealand. There is considerable variation in sentencing for like crimes across the country. That does not deliver justice or fairness. We need to aim for best practice and greater consistency in sentencing. That is why Labour adopted a recommendation by the Law Commission and established a Sentencing Council. The Council's role is to draft sentencing guidelines to help judges determine the appropriate sentences for the range of crimes, including those at the lower end of offending. Strong Proven Leadership 332
The establishment of the Sentencing Council will make the system more transparent and will result in best practice through more consistent sentencing. Labour will ensure that the appointments to the Sentencing Council are a matter of urgency.
Public Defenders Office

Labour will expand the Public Defender Office as an alternative to Legal Aid. The Public Defence Service (PDS) employs salaried criminal lawyers to take on criminal legal aid cases in the Auckland and Manukau courts. The PDS is headed by the Public Defender and has an office located near each court. The PDS was piloted for four years and was made permanent in 2008 following a positive final evaluation. PDS cases are generally shorter and have less likelihood of jury trials, depositions hearings and defended hearings, thus speeding the delivery of justice for victims and reducing pressure on the Courts.
An inquisitorial approach where appropriate

Labour will consider a change to the judicial system method of dealing with cases from an adversarial approach to an inquisitorial approach, where appropriate. The New Zealand legal system is founded on an adversarial approach, whereby the two sides (defence and prosecution) are pitted against each other in order to prove their respective sides of the case. This approach means that in some instances (such as sexual violence cases) victims are put under considerable stress as they are crossexamined.
Gangs and Organised Crime

Organised crime is a serious and growing problem. Labour is committed to effective measures that provide police and the courts with the tools necessary to hold these offenders to account. We will send a strong message to gang leaders that their behaviour will not be tolerated and will ensure they cannot profit from the proceeds of organised crime or gang activity. Labour will establish a Commission of Inquiry into Organised Criminal Gangs as a means of establishing the extent of gang involvement in organised crime and ways to stamp it out. Strong Proven Leadership 333
The Commission will draw not only from the experiences of police here in New Zealand but also from overseas jurisdictions facing similar issues and problems. The Commission will be expected to study not only the involvement of gangs in organised crime, but also recruitment and anti-social behaviour. It will also be charged with determining appropriate measures that need to be taken to curb and control gangs. Labour will investigate, and follow the progress of, the South Australian gang legislation to see if it is appropriate in the New Zealand. Under the new South Australian law a gang is outlawed by being declared a criminal organisation on advice from the police. Control orders can then be made against individual members, making it illegal for them to associate or communicate with other members and from being in certain places. Police can also issue public safety orders banning gangs from public places or events. Breaches of the law are punishable by up to five years in jail. Labour will pass the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Bill. Too many criminals are able to retain property and income acquired through criminal offending by distancing themselves from those committing the crimes. This enables gangs and career criminals to amass more money to fund more crime. Passing this legislation will remedy the problem by introducing a new civil forfeiture regime under which assets and profit gained from crime can be confiscated without a conviction. It will be sufficient to prove on the balance of probabilities that a person has benefited from significant criminal activity. Labour will extend the Counties Manukau initiative to respond to youth gangs to other centres. With help from government, Counties Manukau has put in place a youth gang initiative involving youth workers, an integrated case management model and reception centres. The results have been positive. Since 2006, police in Counties Manukau report less criminal activity and fewer serious offences by youth gangs. Recently Counties Manukau experienced a 4.9 percent drop in total reported crime, which was the second largest reduction in the country. Labour will extend this initiative to other regions around New Zealand who have requested that a similar response. Labour will pass the Organised Crime (Penalties and Sentencing) Bill. This Bill significantly increases the maximum penalty for participation in an organised criminal group and makes such participation an aggravating factor at sentencing. Increasing the maximum penalty from five to 10 years imprisonment sends a strong message that gang and other organised criminal activity will not be tolerated and ensures that crime bosses receive the level of penalty their actions deserve. In addition, this increase in penalty will ensure that interception warrants will be available to police in a wider range of circumstances to assist with investigating offending by crime bosses and helping police obtain a conviction. Strong Proven Leadership 334
Labour will pass the Serious Fraud Office (Abolition and Transitional Provisions) Bill. Labour will continue with its establishment of an Organised and Financial Crime Agency within police by passing the Serious Fraud Office (Abolition and Transitional Provisions) Bill. This disestablishes the current small and stand-alone Serious Fraud Office and transfers its important functions, powers and commercial fraud investigative capabilities into the larger police infrastructure. Amalgamating SFO and police skills and experience will bring a new capability to tackle corporate fraud and sophisticated organised crime. This new organisation offers a new mechanism to increase the attention given to serious and complex fraud, while significantly challenging those engaged in both domestic and international organised crime. Labour will pass the Search and Surveillance Powers Bill. As part of its fight against serious and organised crime, Labour has introduced a comprehensive package of reforms relating to the exercise of search and surveillance powers by law enforcement agencies. The Law Commission took five years to produce the recommendations that form the core of this Bill and Labour has also supplemented the Commission's work by adding a compulsory examination power to assist with the investigation of serious and organised crime. In this area, the Law has failed to keep pace with technology. For example, existing legislation sanctioning the law enforcement use of interception and tracking devices is cumbersome and outdated. It is silent with respect to the use of visual surveillance devices.
Police Working for Communities

Burglary involves a large number of offences it accounts for 15 percent of the prison population. It also has a real impact on victims. Often, an attack on someones home and personal property feels like an attack on the person themselves. Labour will tackle burglary by targeting high-burglary areas. We know that patterns of burglary show that the risk of burglary in an area increases the more often it has been burgled in the past. We can therefore make a difference by targeting the ten police areas identified as most affected by this offence, and investing to put proven burglary reduction initiatives in place there. It is estimated that this initiative would achieve a reduction in burglary rates of 5 percent. Labour will expand the Priority Offenders Initiative. Strong Proven Leadership 335
It is well recognised that a small group of offenders commit a disproportionate amount of crime and damage in communities. The Priority Offenders Initiative aims to identify these offenders and reduce their offending through co-ordinated case management. The initiative brings together a multi-agency group comprising police, Ministry of Social Development (Child, Youth and Family, Work and Income), Corrections and Housing to deal with the issues. Assistance is also offered to the families of the participants. Labour will expand the initiative which is currently operating in Kaikohe, Papakura, Rotorua, Flaxmere, Porirua and Christchurch. Labour will continue to fund Maori Wardens and will introduce permanent funding for Pacific Wardens to develop and expand the Pacific Warden Programme. The Neighbourhood Support and Community Patrols will continue to receive funding to coordinate their activities.
Reducing Re-offending
We need integrated community plans using local people to achieve lasting success, and thats why Labour will address the need for more mental health, education, drug and alcohol dependency community based programmes for young offenders. Government agencies need to continue helping non-government or community organisations in delivering effective rehabilitation and reintegration plans for young offenders and their families. Labour will ensure that programmes are designed specifically for Pacific Island and Maori young offenders aimed at strengthening their cultural identity, heritage and values in order for them to be successfully reintegrated back into the community. A bottom line is encouraging government agencies and community groups to continue work in partnership to respond effectively to young offenders psychological problems, alcohol and drug issues, educational failure and lack of employment skills. As an extension of that, Labour is asking for more work to be done on the United Kingdom model of fixed penalty notices. Labour will investigate fixed penalty notices where offences are sufficiently minor not to warrant a full prosecution process. Any such system of fixed penalty notices would build on the current infringement notice system, and needs to be nationally consistent if it is to work properly. Strong Proven Leadership 336
Actions cannot work in isolation. Services need to be coordinated at a local level. Labour will over time establish Drug and Alcohol Teams at a local level to coordinate a range of services to provide tailored solutions for those who commit crime to fund their drug use. This will draw on the Drug and Alcohol Team initiative in the United Kingdom. Drug and Alcohol Teams will refer individuals to alcohol and other drug treatment at their first point of contact with the criminal justice system, if that treatment is required. Police will be able to test first time offenders and refer them for appropriate treatment, instead of such treatment being largely restricted, as it is now, to prisoners or those on parole.
Misuse of Alcohol
The availability and misuse of alcohol clearly remains a significant problem for communities around New Zealand and for policing. Labour will pass the Sale and Supply of Liquor and Liquor Enforcement Bill, which is aimed at making it more difficult for minors to obtain alcohol. The Bill will, among other things: Make it an offence for an adult, other than the minors parent or guardian, to supply alcohol to a minor. Amend the Land Transport Act to introduce a zero blood alcohol limit for drivers under 20 who do not hold a full licence. Ensure minors are referred to an alcohol programme in place of paying an infringement fine. Make it an offence to use fake ID. Labour also believes it is important to improve community input into the licensing process. Local Alcohol Plans will be prepared through consultation under the Local Government Act 2002, and will be designed to control the hours during which liquor may be sold, maximum outlet density, and minimum proximity to other outlets and types of community premises. As well, the Law Commission is undertaking a comprehensive, first principles review of the Sale of Liquor Act, which is now 20 years old and which has had about as many amendments to it as the old Police Act.
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Strong Local Communities through Strong Local Government
Labours Policy for Local Government
2008
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Introduction
Labour is committed to a close and collaborative working relationship with local government. We believe local decisions are best made locally and that local government should be empowered to meet the social, economic, environmental and cultural needs of its communities. We believe in local democracy and the right of communities to have a say on major decisions affecting them. We have empowered local government and communities, given councils wider decision-making powers and made them more accountable to their communities through legislation. We have also resourced local government through significant injections of funds for roading and public transport, and provided the option of a regional fuel tax. Our vision is to ensure local government is responsive and accountable to local communities, affordable for its residents and ratepayers and effective in dealing with local issues. Over the next three years, Labour will build on existing successful policies and programmes on matters such as rates affordability, public transport, public health, housing and environmental protection. We will continue active partnership with local government, especially through the regular meetings of the Prime Minister and other Ministers with Local Government New Zealand. This will assist us to achieve major common goals in areas such as infrastructure, affordable housing, energy efficiency and climate change. We will also implement creative ways to enhance participation and effective decisionmaking in local government, especially in greater Auckland.
Fair and Affordable Rates

The Rates Rebate Scheme fills an important gap in providing residential ratepayers on low incomes with financial assistance to help meet their rates bills. It meets a real need. For those on fixed incomes, rates bills take up a significant proportion of their income, and they have little ability to increase earnings while dealing with rising rates demands. These people are typically retired, and their only or primary source of income is New Zealand superannuation. Assistance towards meeting rates costs can help elderly couples to remain in their family home. Labour has progressively increased the benefits of the scheme. From 1 July 2006, Labour increased the maximum rebate from $200 to $500; increased the income threshold where the rebate starts to reduce (abate) from $7,400 to $20,000; and increased the additional income allowance from $156 to $500 per dependant. Strong Proven Leadership 341
Ten years ago only about 3,000 households had the benefit of a rates rebate, with the maximum rebate set at $200. Today more than 110,000 households benefit from a rates rebate, at a maximum value of $530. Ten years from now many more of our seniors and kaumatua will be able to live with dignity in their own homes through rates assistance. This year we have further increased the maximum rebate from $500 to $530 in recognition of the effects of inflation since 2006. We also increased the income abatement threshold from $20,000 to $21,180, and undertook to index both the maximum rebate and the income abatement threshold in future years to reflect increases in inflation (measured through the All Groups index of the Consumers Price Index). Labour is committed to maintaining the value of the rebates scheme into the future. As the population ages, more of our seniors and kaumatua will find themselves on fixed incomes, without the means to increase earnings to match increases in rates demands. Labour will promote the scheme through council and community group information services to potential applicants.
Responsive Local Democracy

Labour is committed to enhancing the responsiveness of, and participation in, local government. We believe in encouraging transparent and fair democratic structures at a local level, including ward systems for councils and District Health Boards in larger population centres. We agreed to establish a Royal Commission to look at what local and regional governance arrangements are required in the Auckland region over the foreseeable future, to maximise the current and future well-being of the region and its communities and its contribution to wider national objectives and outcomes. The Royal Commission is a unique opportunity for a broad and independent investigation into the best possible local government arrangements for Auckland to achieve its potential as a world class city that remains internationally competitive with a vital role to play in New Zealands long-term success. Labour will consider and respond to the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Auckland Governance with a view to facilitating effective local government across the Auckland region.
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In terms of participation in both local and central government, throughout much of the world the trend is that more young people tend not to vote, or be as active in, political and community issues as older age groups. We need to involve young people more in building sustainable communities. Labour supports the Growing Active Citizens project co-ordinated by Local Government New Zealand which has young people as its focus. We also support the Kids Voting programme that ran during the 2007 local body elections, and the involvement of young people in Youth Councils. Labour will involve young people more in building sustainable communities through the encouragement of involvement in youth councils.
Partnerships for Affordable Housing

Labour has passed legislation to enable local authorities to address imbalances in the supply of new homes through a combination of requirements and incentives for developers. Essentially, it will allow local authorities to require a certain number of affordable homes to be built within new housing developments. Although developers are building a large number of new homes each year, very few have been designed for, or targeted at, first-time buyers or modest-income families. Over the past 15 years, the actual size of new homes being built has increased significantly. There is rising demand among local authorities for tools to tackle this issue and ensure an adequate supply of houses for workers crucial to a local economy. This legislation, based on tried-and-tested schemes in the United Kingdom and the United States, delivers those tools. Local authorities have an important role to play in promoting affordable home ownership. They are responsible for approving new housing developments and, if their region or city needs more affordable homes for workers, Labour believes they must have the ability to meet that need. If local authorities identify a demand for affordable homes in their area, the government will assist in helping them develop affordable housing plans. Labour will assist Local Authorities to implement the Affordable Housing Act by providing guidance and tools for the design of affordable housing policies through a National Policy Statement on Affordable Housing. While Labour wants as many Kiwis as possible to own their own home, we also recognise that for some people, that takes time while for others it may never be an option. That is why Labour supports the provision of affordable and secure rental accommodation. Strong Proven Leadership 343
Currently there are some councils and small not-for-profit housing organisations providing affordable rental housing. Labour wants to help these groups grow to expand their provision of affordable rental accommodation. Labour will work with local government and not-for-profit agencies to support the expansion and provision of affordable rental accommodation.
Urban Development a sustainable approach

There is also a need to focus on using land, infrastructure and assets more effectively when we undertake new developments or re-develop existing suburbs and town centres. By intensifying land use in some strategic areas, it should be possible to provide New Zealanders with more housing choices, viable public transport options and thriving town centres. There are a number of challenges local authorities and developers face when trying to develop urban areas in a sustainable and effective way. New Zealand currently has limited co-ordination of national, regional and local planning when it comes to largescale urban development. Labour will develop a new approach to sustainable urban development to improve the ways that the community, local and central government, service and utility providers and the development sector work together. We are currently consulting on a way forward that is flexible rather than prescriptive, taking into account the unique features of each location rather than trying to apply the same formula to different urban areas around the country. In the recently-released discussion document Building Sustainable Urban Communities, this proposed new approach would create legislation to allow the government to declare that special tools or powers could be applied in particular areas. These tools or powers could be used by an urban development organisation to implement sustainable development according to a master development plan that has been drawn up with the community. An urban development organisation could be a council-controlled organisation, a Crown entity, or a joint venture company with public sector involvement. It would have carefully prescribed objectives, boundaries and would be in place for the duration of a particular project. The legislation could be supported by improvements in the use of existing urban development processes, as well as a range of non-regulatory or legislative tools.
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Labour will consider the feedback on this proposal that local authorities, developers and the public provide. We will use this to develop a new approach to achieving better urban development by working together.
Environmental Protection
Labour is committed to a close and collaborative working relationship with local government in the priority areas of: Effective public transport, and Protection of water resources.
Effective Public Transport

Labour believes that if New Zealanders are to move towards more sustainable transport, we must create a public transport system that is a realistic alternative to private car use. It is therefore essential that New Zealands public transport services are affordable, integrated and accessible, safe, responsive to change and above all economically, socially and environmentally sustainable. The new Public Transport Management Act 2008 will enable Regional Councils to improve New Zealands public transport system by imposing greater controls over commercial public transport services, and allowing them to require that any or all public transport services be provided under contract. This gives regional councils the tools to run public transport services as effectively as possible, so that passengers can expect travel on public transport to become much simpler and more efficient. Labour will continue work in partnership with regional government, businesses and the broader community to achieve an optimal and sustainable public transport network.
Protection of water resources

Water is crucial for New Zealands economic development and its quality is fundamental to our recreational lifestyle and health. Our ability to grow and sell primary produce is heavily reliant on a dependable supply of good quality water. We trade on our clean green image, it's what tourists love about this country and it offers us a competitive advantage in international markets which are increasingly clamouring for eco-friendly products and services. We need to ensure water is used sustainably if coming generations are to enjoy the same quality of lifestyle we do. Through the Sustainable Water Programme of Action, Strong Proven Leadership 345
we have developed effective and workable approaches to freshwater management, including issues such as water allocation and quality, through National Policy Statements and National Environmental Standards. Given the central importance of freshwater resources to New Zealand and New Zealanders, we believe there is a need for clear central government policy that directs local government to implement measures to: address constraints on availability of freshwater address the effects of contaminant discharges address the issue of competing demands on freshwater resources ensure our freshwater meets the recreational expectations of New Zealanders ensure sustainable management of our freshwater is addressed at both a national and local level improve the integrated management of freshwater by territorial authorities, regional councils, and other stakeholders. Labour will help local government implement a National Policy Statement that aims to ensure our freshwater is of a swimmable standard by 2035. While National Policy Statements under the Resource Management Act (RMA) help raise the standard of our freshwater management, there is more work to be done. Levels of non-compliance with resource consent conditions and regional plan rules for dairy effluent management have marginally improved but a percentage of farmers are still letting us and their fellow farmers down. And its not just farmers that need to take care of New Zealands freshwater. The quality of water in both rural and urban areas is declining. There is under-investment in infrastructure that would improve water monitoring. Of all the water allocated in this country, only a third is measured. Only a proportion of our 74 local authorities use water meters. Labour will retain local level decision-making on freshwater management while ensuring central government plays a national leadership role through: Investigating and implementing Hot-Spot National Policy Statements that provide guidance at a regional level on specific freshwater issues Investigating National Environmental Standards relating to the treatment of water affected by dairy farming Investigating better enforcement powers for non-compliance with RMA consent conditions and regional plan rules in regard to freshwater.
We believe that compliance, monitoring and enforcement should be an integral part of resource consent decisions when significant developments are being considered. If Strong Proven Leadership 346
local rules and conditions are imposed but not properly monitored and enforced, they will have little effect.
Quality Water Supply for Rural Areas

High quality water supplies are essential to public health, as are efficient sewerage systems in all built-up areas. Good quality water benefits rural and small town residents and ratepayers, Mori kainga, tourists and the tourism industry, holidaymakers and travellers. Labour has invested in essential services, offering funding that would have otherwise have had to come from rates or water charges. Since 1999 we have implemented a number of innovative schemes to support communities who need to upgrade their water or wastewater treatment systems. Over 170,000 rural New Zealanders are set to benefit from our Sanitary Works Subsidy Scheme, and over 40,000 will have safer drinking water through the Capital Assistance Programme. We also established funding for the period 2005-2016 through the Drinking Water Subsidy Fund to help improve drinking water in New Zealand communities. This fund assists councils and other water suppliers with technical advice and direct capital assistance for upgrading water systems. It is Labours goal to continue this partnership with communities to improve access to a safe and sustainable water supply. It is costly to provide quality water supply in rural areas because schemes lack economies of scale. Councils serving small or rural communities are expected to comply by 1 July 2013 with higher quality standards for the water they supply. Some councils may fail to meet the target without assistance from central government. Labour will provide targeted assistance to smaller and poorer communities, including those in rural areas, to meet the costs of providing quality water supplies.
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Me Ara Ake
The next step
Labours policy for investing in the future of Mori

Te Tpui Rawa Atu Ki Ng W Kei Mua O Te Mori
2008
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Introduction
The landscape of Moridom has transformed. Mori ambition has grown, as has their role in the economic and social future of Aotearoa. Mori do not face the same challenges that were evident in 1999. Moridom has been reshaped and revitalised over the last 10 years. Each accomplishment gained, each expectation exceeded, leads to a widening of ambition for what the next generation of Mori is capable of achieving. With Mori unemployment cut by half over the past eight years, overseeing a major surge in the number of Mori in tertiary education, and having made significant progress on some of the longest running Treaty claims, the full potential of Mori seems much broader than it did just a few years ago. And so it should Mori must continue to raise their sights and aspirations. The collective Mori asset base is now worth an estimated $16.5 billion an 83 percent increase since 2001. Mori are now major players in the future of our countrys fisheries, forestry, tourism and agriculture sectors. Labour aims to harness and grow this economic potential to help secure the present and the future for Mori. Mori culture defines many aspects of our national identity. Ensuring Mori culture remains strong and that Te Reo Mori remains a living language is of the utmost importance to Labour. As we look to secure the future of Mori development we remain committed to the belief that the Treaty of Waitangi underpins a shared history and vision for all New Zealanders. Labour is committed to honouring the Treaty of Waitangi and the spirit of partnership it embodies. We are committed to ensuring that any discussions that might take place in the future on the development of a written constitution for this country recognise the central role of the Treaty of Waitangi. An integral part of honouring the Treaty is acknowledging the wrongs of the past. Labour recognises the importance of achieving durable Treaty settlements as soon as possible. We also remain committed to supporting the historical ties Mori have to the Mori seats in Parliament. We will continue to support the will of Mori to retain the Mori seats in Parliament, so that fair and inclusive representation is guaranteed. Labour is committed to investing in the future of Mori by supporting Mori economic development and the utilisation of their resources. The provision of quality, Strong Proven Leadership 351
personalised education to tamariki and rangatahi, strong public services including affordable and accessible healthcare for whanau, and financial support to working Mori families will secure the future for the next generation of Mori. Labour recognises that Mori have high aspirations for their future. And so they should. We are committed to working with Mori to ensure that these aspirations are realised.
Investing In the Economic Future of Mori

A vital part of ensuring the Mori economy continues to thrive is investing in improving the opportunities of Mori. Labour wants to ensure Mori have the tools to utilise their own assets, operate entities under good governance and ensure those entities contribute to the economic benefit of Mori. By working together with Mori to achieve their economic aspirations, we will secure the Mori economy now and into the future. Over the last 10 years, the Mori asset base has grown to be worth an estimated $16.5 billion. Mori are now major players in the future of our countrys fisheries, forestry, tourism and agriculture sectors. One of the most significant changes we have seen within Mori communities over the past 10 years is the number of Mori who have moved from dependency to independency. The Mori unemployment rate has fallen by 53 per cent and the number of Mori relying on benefits has fallen by 22 per cent. With this shift from benefits to jobs, it is not surprising that the real median weekly income for Maori households has increased by 39% from 1999 to 2008. Ten years ago Over 44,000 Mori were receiving an unemployment benefit, the Mori unemployment rate peaked at over 18 per cent. Today More Mori are enjoying the financial and social benefits of employment and the weekly income of Mori households has increased by more than a third. Ten years from now Mori will have taken advantage of new opportunities in education and training and opportunities provided within the Mori economy. Mori have come a long way over the last 10 years and it is important to note that real progress has been made. That progress is a credit to Mori themselves, not just the government. Our positive record of change around Mori Development is testament to what can happen when the government supports the aspirations of Mori and when Mori themselves step up to the challenge. Strong Proven Leadership 352
Labour intends to build on the positive record of change Mori economic development has undergone over the past 10 years. We must raise our sights and aim to upskill the Mori workforce. We are committed to ensuring the Mori workforce continues to grow to become highly-skilled and highly-valued within Aotearoa. We know we need to provide opportunities for Mori to upskill in the workplace and opportunities for many Mori, especially women, to re-train after time out of the workforce.
Growing the skills and capabilities of the Mori workforce

Labour will help to provide professional development through Industry Training to Mori who wish to gain better qualifications and improve their skills within their chosen career. Labour will continue to increase industry training volumes in order to reach a point where by 2011 ten per cent of New Zealands workforce is participating in some recognised industry training over the course of the calendar year. We will also support the active involvement of workers and unions in industry strategies. These will help to improve productivity, raise the skill levels of the Mori workforce and engage workers and unions in the broader issues of social and economic development.
Developing the potential of entrepreneurs and Mori business

We already know that Mori are one of the worlds most entrepreneurial people. This talent is one that should be supported and grown to provide further opportunities in the Mori economy. We will work to grow the potential of entrepreneurs and Mori business by supporting initiatives that assist Mori in using their entrepreneurial talents for the benefit of themselves and the wider New Zealand economy. Labour will work to ensure that Mori business leaders and decisionmakers can access appropriate training courses and support in order to enhance their skills and knowledge base. This will improve the quality of decision-making and the quality of decision makers so that Mori business is a vital part of the New Zealand economy.
Encourage the expansion of Mori tourism ventures locally and globally

It is also important that Mori business and especially Mori Tourism ventures have Strong Proven Leadership 353
the support they need to grow both locally and globally. Labour will ensure Mori are able to access this support and develop partnerships that will promote Mori tourism. Labour will encourage the expansion of Mori tourism ventures locally and globally by developing strong strategic relationships with the public sector to advance Mori tourism.
Realising the economic potential of Mori Land

To grow the economic potential of Mori land we need to look at what barriers many Mori face when looking to develop their lands. The purpose of the Te Ture Whenua Mori Act was to enable the retention of Mori land but the Te Ture Whenua Mori Act is seen by many to be a barrier to allowing Mori to gain economic benefit from their land. We believe that a review of the Act is needed. Labour will look to help Mori realise the economic potential of Mori land by reviewing the Te Ture Whenua Mori Act. In particular, we will look at the purpose of the Act, and Section 150B, which requires land use decisions to be agreed by 75 per cent of shareholders. We will aim to identify and address any barriers to land development and home ownership.
Protect Mori interests in the preservation of natural resources, and support the utilisation of Mori Fisheries and aquaculture
As well as Mori land, we need to look at ways of helping Mori realise the full economic potential of natural resources and fisheries and aquaculture assets. We will continue to support the process established by the Mori Fisheries Act to transfer assets and quota to Mori. Labour will work with local government authorities to develop best practice models for engagement with iwi and other Mori groups in a range of areas including allocation of marine farming space. Labour will also continue to support the implementation of Mori customary fishing regulations. Labour will review, and put in place enhancements to, processes and requirements for the establishment of aquaculture management areas to remove any unnecessary barriers to their establishment. Looking to the future, sustainability of natural resources will be a key factor in ensuring the stability of the Mori economy. Thats why it is important Mori are able to protect and promote natural resources. Labour will promote the conservation and restoration of valued species of significance to Mori, such as Kereru (pigeon), Tuna (eel), Harakeke (flax) and Totara. Strong Proven Leadership 354
Mori conservation is not a new concept and Mori have practised their own forms of conservation for centuries. The retention of this traditional knowledge and traditional practice to protect the land is important to Mori. Labour will promote conservation on Mori land and the retention of traditional Mori biodiversity management through the Nga Whenua Rhui and Mtauranga Kura Taiao Funds. As well as continuing to support the establishment of Mori customary fishing areas (taiapure and mtaitai reserves), Labour will also ensure thorough consultation with Mori in identifying potential marine reserves and other marine protected areas. Labour will facilitate the development of taiapure and mtaitai reserves to enhance the sustainability of kai moana and to complement marine reserves. Labour will support cadetships in the conservation area to train Mori from iwi and hapu who have received conservation accountabilities in their Treaty Settlements and Mori groups with significant areas under Nga Whenua Rhui protection. Labour will support a Mori Conservation Cadetship/Tauira Mori Wananga Kaitiaki Taiao to assist iwi and hapu with their conservation responsibilities.
Support for Mori entities to establish good governance and leadership practices
Mori need the tools and support to establish good governance and leadership practices around the management and utilisation of the many resources now in Mori ownership. Labour will support Mori entities to establish good governance and leadership practices by continuing to fund governance and leadership courses.
Founding future: Treaty settlements

Labour is committed to honouring the Treaty of Waitangi and the spirit of partnership it embodies. An integral part of honouring the Treaty is acknowledging the wrongs of the past. Labour recognises the importance of achieving durable Treaty settlements as soon as possible.
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The acknowledgement and settlement of grievances provides benefits to Mori, the Crown and the nation. Settlements provide iwi with an economic and cultural platform to move forward into the next phase of their development and provide the opportunity for a new relationship with the Crown to be forged. In turn, this allows for a stronger and more confident New Zealand. More Treaty claims have been progressed than ever before. Ten deeds of settlement have been signed between the Crown and iwi since Labour came into office along with 12 Agreements in Principle.
At the signing of Central North Island settlement
Labour honoured its promise to require all historical claims to be lodged by 1 September 2008. The Central North Island Forestry Settlement settles a large range of historical claims involving overlapping groups for the first time. The culmination of twenty years of Mori aspiration, this is the largest-ever treaty settlement, involving 18 iwi representing over 100,000 people. Over 100,000 hectares of forest land will be returned to iwi under this settlement. The Waikato River Settlement between the Crown and Waikato Tainui reflects a shared commitment by the Crown and Waikato-Tainui to enter a new era of comanagement over the Waikato River. Waikato-Tainui and the Crown were joined by other Waikato River iwi and representatives of the wider Waikato communities to establish a vision and strategy for this new integrated approach to managing the river. The first landmark Foreshore and Seabed settlements with ng hap o Ngti Porou and Te Whanau a Apanui strike a balance between preserving the public foreshore and seabed for all New Zealanders while recognising and protecting long-standing Mori customary interests. Labour will aim to enhance the settlements process for establishing mandates and managing overlapping claims. The improved process will build upon a thorough understanding of local circumstances and the cultural dynamics that drive local communities. It will reduce the likelihood of litigation and focus on early, broad, inclusive and timely engagement. Labour understands the need to commit to ensuring that the Treaty process is continually reviewed and assessed to make sure it continues to meet the needs of both parties.
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Labour will keep the Treaty settlement processes under review to ensure it meets the needs of both parties and will ensure that the long term impact of land price changes is incorporated into policies for modelling treaty settlements. We are making progress when it comes to settling Treaty of Waitangi claims, and we know that it is in the interest of Mori and Aotearoa that we reach fair and final settlements. Aiming for a final date by which all historical grievances will be settled, is not only possible but necessary for the future of Mori and New Zealand. Labour will continue to negotiate and settle claims with mandated groups and aim to settle all historical claims by 2020. We also continue to engage in the foreshore and seabed claims process and hope to continue to reach agreement with iwi around the country enabling them to secure their customary rights to the foreshore and seabed through law.
Strong Whanau, Strong Future

If whanau across the country are strong, so too will be the future of our country. Providing whanau with strong public services across all areas will ensure that whanau have adequate housing, affordable healthcare and that our most vulnerable families can access services to address problems such as domestic violence and gang associations. Labour will continue to implement and support initiatives that will grow and strengthen whanau across Aotearoa Over the last 10 years we have worked hard to reverse the damage some of the policies of the 1990s had on Mori whanau. Problems like high poverty and unemployment rates, inadequate social housing, ageing hospitals, overcrowded classrooms, cuts to superannuation, and a difficult employment relations environment were problems that fell disproportionately onto Moridom. There are still issues to address and challenges to overcome but it is important to note that real progress has been made. And it is important to note that this progress is a credit to Mori themselves, not just the government. Mori whanau are benefiting from free health care for children under six, cheaper doctors visits and prescriptions. Over half a million Mori have signed up to Primary Healthcare Organisations that receive the funding that provides cheaper doctors visits. Strong Proven Leadership 357
Mori smoking rates are dropping and Mori life expectancy is also improving every year. What we have shown since 1999 is that when the government invests in public services and lays down solid foundations for Mori to build upon, Mori will step up to the challenge, seize the opportunity for a better future. We know that our Mori communities still face challenges in regards to diabetes and obesity, domestic violence and gang violence. We know that too many Mori children are affected by these problems. And we know that it is Mori champions in Mori communities that can be the most effective at working with our most vulnerable whanau to help them solve the problems they may face.
Improving the health and wellbeing of Mori

Prevention of problems such as health problems is essential to improving the health and wellbeing of whanau across the country. By continuing to provide affordable healthcare for all New Zealanders, Labour will ensure that diseases disproportionately affecting Mori are detected as early as possible. It is also important to ensure that Mori Health providers continue to deliver health services to Mori. Labour will continue to support and strengthen the Mori Health Strategy He Korowai Oranga and fund Primary Healthcare Organisations and Mori Health Providers to ensure Mori receive accessible and affordable healthcare for all ages.
Innovative housing
We understand that Mori, like all New Zealanders, dream of owning their own home. Thats why it is important that we continue to support initiatives such as Kiwisaver and Welcome Home loans to remove some of the financial barriers Mori face when purchasing their first home. Many iwi now hold numerous land assets. Utilising Mori land to provide housing for whanau is a great way to provide quality, affordable housing to Mori communities as well as providing a secure investment for local iwi. Papakainga lending is currently available for first-home buyers who want to build on multiple-owned Mori land. This land is not usually accepted as security for a mortgage in the private sector. Alongside this, the Rural Housing Programme improves substandard housing, making homes safer and healthier. Labour will further encourage development of Papakainga and Kaumatua housing by increasing the funding allocated for these programmes. Strong Proven Leadership 358
These initiatives have paved the way for projects such as the relocation of state rentals onto Mori land but there is scope for more to be done. As an increasing number of historical Treaty Settlements are signed, the potential for joint housing ventures with iwi and other agencies will increase. Labour will develop housing partnerships with iwi to work together to extend housing options for Mori. This might include setting up shared equity schemes between iwi and the government, iwi housing projects and reviewing opportunities available for building on land with multiple owners. Barriers to financing development on Mori land remain however, and Labour will work with whanau, hapu, iwi and other groups to promote and support quality housing ventures on Mori land. This will support people who want to remain on ancestral land but who also want to benefit from utilising that land. Labour will look at ways to guarantee bank loans through the Welcome Home Loan Scheme for sustainable housing projects on Mori land, including land with multiple owners.
Youth and Gangs

Strong whanau with a strong future are unlikely to associate with gangs. This government has already put a lot of effort into preventing youth from associating with gangs. Programmes such as the Improving Outcomes for Young People in Counties Manukau four year action plan have been proven to work with rangatahi. We need to take these successful programmes and replicate their success in other communities with a high percentage of youth at risk. Addressing the issue of gangs takes a whole-of-government approach. Labour will continue to encourage agencies to work together in targeted communities to help address the issue of gangs. That includes encouraging an integrated case management approach where a range of government agencies work with young Mori to re-engage them with education and training or gaining employment.
Whanau led Communities

Communities that are strong also have strong families. Making sure that our most vulnerable families get the help they need from their communities is an important part of making sure whanau, and tamariki, are not only strong but safe.
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Labour will expand the integrated service response for vulnerable families to offer a family-focused case management approach in more communities across New Zealand. We will expand the provision of support for families who have complex and multiple needs so they are safe and secure and their children get a good start in life. We will further invest in early intervention family support, with integrated departmental and non-government agencies collaboration. By working proactively with these families earlier, and providing a more intensive level of support, we hope to be able to assist these families before they reach crisis point. Labour will support whanau-led services alongside the expanding Integrated Service Response initiative to assist Mori families where significant concerns to child wellbeing exist. These whanau-led community services will assist our most vulnerable Mori whanau with complex needs. Organisations will be provided funding to ensure their children are given the best opportunity to grow and develop. This can be done by recognising that issues such as family violence, drug and alcohol abuse, debt, health problems, criminal activity, unemployment, housing and education are inter-linked.
Tamaiti whangai programmes

Labour will support the development of tamaiti whangai (nurturing children) programmes across our communities. Making sure tamariki in vulnerable whanau have the support they need outside the home is important. Tamaiti whangai programmes are designed to provide communities with this support. These programmes provide after-school and holiday programme schemes to keep tamariki engaged in social and educational activity. Alongside tamariki support through tamaiti whangai programmes, Labour will also look at working with whanau to focus on positive parenting
Mori Organisations
Our Mori organisations provide our communities with the support they need at a grass roots level. Labour will continue the implementation of Pathway to Partnership so that by 2012 all contracts for essential services for children, young people and families will be fully funded. The sustainable funding model will give community providers more certainty so they can spend less time worrying about paying the bills and more time focusing on outcomes. It will improve the ability to plan ahead, attract and retain qualified staff, improve service effectiveness and achieve good outcomes for New Zealand families. Strong Proven Leadership 360
The new model will mean there will be annual adjustments for inflation, as well as ongoing assessment and adjustments in relation to the volume of services required. Social services for children and families will be community-driven, collaborative, inter-agency and outcome-driven. Labour will continue to provide support for the work of the Mori Womens Welfare League and we will work to expand and support the work of Mori Wardens within our communities.
The next generation

Education is the key to unlocking Mori success. It is imperative we provide Mori of all ages with educational opportunities across all sectors of learning: early childhood education, kura and tertiary, right though to trades training. Mori who enjoy the benefits of good quality education are able to better provide for their whanau now and into the future. We have seen an overwhelming improvement in the educational achievement of Mori. This is a result of Mori realising their own economic potential as well as the government investing in initiatives and programmes aimed at ensuring Mori children are taught in the most effective way to be able to fulfil their potential. Mori achievement at secondary schools has been a priority and progress is being made. This year we launched Ka Hikitia-Managing for Success, a strategy that aims to improve teacher, student relationships, as well as enhance the participation and achievement rates of rangatahi at school. We also launched the first indigenous education curriculum in the world: Te Marautanga Aotearoa Mori Curriculum. The curriculum will allow Mori medium schools to operate and run programmes that are more suited for Mori students Ten years ago we knew education was the key to making a real difference for Mori. After years of investment, and ensuring the system fitted the rangatahi and not the other way around, we are making progress. More Mori are enrolled in tertiary education, industry training and modern apprenticeships than ever before.
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Early Childhood Education

Education is a lifelong journey and its important that we ensure our tamariki get the best possible start in life. By providing quality education that is affordable and accessible, we will achieve that. Labour will continue to support the 20 Hours Free ECE for 3-4 year olds. Our kohanga are our language nests and we need to make sure that our Te Kohanga kaiako/teachers have the opportunity to grow and develop in their profession. With the growing demand for places in Te Kohanga, we will also work towards providing Te Kohanga with appropriate support so they are equipped to meet the demands of a growing population. This will includes expansion of buildings and increasing staff numbers where needed. Labour will support more Kohanga Reo to offer 20 Free Hours by encouraging the professional development of Te Kohanga Reo teachers.
Kura
Within our kura we need to make sure that students are provided with more personalised education with a learning path that matches their skills set and strengths. This will ensure that we are able to better tailor our childrens learning paths to their goals. Ensuring our tamariki remain in education is extremely important to their success in later life. Labour will support the Schools Plus programme inside Kura Kaupapa Mori nationwide including a focus on ensuring that all Mori students remain in some form of quality education until the age of 18. We know that good teachers are vital for educational success. The curriculum is also important to ensuring success in the classroom. Labour will continue to ensure the successful implementation of Ka Hikitia (the Mori education strategy), and support professional development programmes such as Te Kotahitanga and other educational programmes that support a more personalised, community-orientated approach to the education of our tamariki. Education is an area the whole community can get involved in. That is why Labour is committed to looking at iwi and kura partnerships in broadening curriculum development aligned with iwi development. Labour will ensure the implementation and successful delivery of Te Marautanga in Mori medium schools. Strong Proven Leadership 362
Kura for the future

It is important that our kura are equipped with the technology to keep pace with the rest of the world. As part of this, we will enable kura to use their five-year property agreements to invest in computer and interactive learning technology. Labour will look at providing sustainable options for Wharekura (Mori medium secondary schools) such as the establishment of virtual learning.
Tertiary
Continuing education after secondary schooling is of the utmost importance for future career development. We know that if our young people continue learning after they leave school, they will be in a better position to provide for their whanau later in life. We will continue to encourage Mori to enrol at university, polytechnic or wananga as well as Modern Apprenticeships or trades training. Labour will look at expanding the Mori Trades Training programme to include a greater involvement of iwi and Mori organisations We will also focus on retraining and upskilling for second-time-round learners, especially middle-aged Mori women who may be looking to re-enter the workforce or change their career. Labour will look at ways we can encourage more Mori to develop skills in areas such as science, environmental management, business management, aquaculture, horticulture and agriculture, to ensure the next generation has the skills to manage the ever-growing Mori asset base.
Nurturing our future leaders

In a fast-changing world, Mori leaders face very different challenges than the leaders of the past. Labour believes exceptional Mori leaders must be supported and nurtured for the future success of Mori. Labour will work with iwi and education institutions to develop an iwi leadership programme to grow and develop young Mori leaders.
Promoting and protecting the future of our taonga: Te Reo and Tikanga Mori
Labour believes Mori arts, culture and heritage make a vital contribution to our national identity. Mori creativity and heritage help in defining us to the world as a unique nation with our own distinctive images, perspectives, culture and heritage. Strong Proven Leadership 363
Over the last 10 years we have seen a huge renaissance in the promotion and protection of Te Reo and Tikanga Mori. Mori language and culture is now accessible to every household in Aotearoa through Mori Television which Labour launched in 2004. We now have two channels the Te Reo channel was launched just this year and is broadcast purely in Te Reo Mori.
Parekura Horomia at the launch of Mori language Week
Labour will continue to support and fund the Mori Television Service and Mori participation in the television industry, and also continue to resource iwi radio. Many other aspects of Mori culture have also developed in the past decade. We have launched a new Mori dictionary, He Pataka Kupu, containing over 24,000 entries. We also established I-Papakupu, a free resource on the internet that explains Mori words and terms through Mori eyes. As technology advances, so do the ways in which Mori and Labour can promote and protect Te Reo and Tikanga Mori. Labour will advance the Mori Language Strategy and encourage the learning and use of the language in New Zealands society. On screen or on stage, both here and abroad, Mori culture and Mori artists capture the attention of the world. We know that Mori culture is a key part of being a New Zealander and that by supporting our performers and artists both domestically and internationally, New Zealands culture and arts can be showcased globally. Labour will continue to support Mori artists including through the high quality Toi Iho branding and will work to develop further opportunities for young artists to promote their talent and product through New Zealand Trade and Enterprise. On a local level, Labour remains committed to supporting and nurturing Mori culture. Labour will provide continued support for Mori performing arts through Te Matatini and consider further opportunities to support national competitions in schools to actively uphold the cultural expression of Mori.
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Promoting our Pacific Identity
Labours policy for Pacific Island Affairs
2008
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Introduction
As a Pacific nation, New Zealand has a special relationship with its neighbours in the Pacific. Labour recognises the importance of these close ties, and the enormous value and contribution our Pacific communities make to the New Zealand economy and New Zealands national well-being and sense of identity. Labour is committed to maintaining the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs and supporting its advocacy for Pacific peoples by working across different agencies within government. New Zealands Pacific population is young, urbanised and comprised of people born in the Pacific Islands and in New Zealand. The Pacific population is growing faster than the average population and will become a larger proportion of the workforce in the future. Labour will support and encourage a highly educated and skilled Pacific population because it is important to the economic and social wellbeing of New Zealand. Relationships in the Pacific region are a priority for Labour. We are committed to strengthening and supporting social, economic, and trade development. The quality of the region's economic growth and social development, as well as the movement of people, finance and goods and services within it, are matters of considerable common interest. Labour is committed to supporting and enhancing the diverse cultures of Pacific peoples in New Zealand through a sustainable environment, economic prosperity and social wellbeing. This also benefits the Pacific region as a whole. We will continue to invest in the enormous potential of Pacific peoples, ensuring they are equipped to fully contribute to, and share in, the future success of New Zealand and the Pacific region.
Social and Economic Development

New Zealand's Pacific population is young, fast-growing and diverse. Labour is committed to Pacific peoples participating fully in New Zealand's economy and enhancing the social wellbeing of Pacific communities. Over the last decade we have seen the number of Pacific people receiving the unemployment benefit dramatically decrease. More Pacific people are working, and hourly rates for Pacific people are increasing strongly. Working for Families has improved the lives of low to middle-income families with children, and four weeks annual leave means Pacific parents have more time to spend with their kids. Pacific peoples have been encouraged and supported to improve their job choices and earnings through the promotion of opportunities available in education and training, in business, and in leadership roles in the public and private sector.
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Labour will continue to develop pathways and opportunities for Pacific peoples and to develop a highly-skilled and versatile Pacific workforce. Labour will continue to encourage workplace training to support Pacific peoples (particularly women) in the development of their skills and career pathways. While the skills level of working people in New Zealand has risen significantly over recent years, more attention needs to be paid to the skills of those already in work. Training in the workplace is a great opportunity to improve workers skills to meet the needs of the modern workplace. Labour will work with employees, employers and training and education providers to deliver development programmes that better meet the needs of Pacific workers. In the near term, the prospect of fall out from the international crisis also requires us to have new plans for workers whose jobs might be affected. Labour will introduce a new retraining allowance, on the same basis as a student allowance, but with no spousal income test, for workers who have been in the workforce for at least five years and have been made redundant. In the modern world, skills are increasingly important, both for individuals and for the economy as a whole. Careers are also becoming more complex with people more likely to change jobs and even occupations over the course of their working life. That will often require a period of retraining. In other words, learning is now lifelong. It is not something that stops when we leave school or finish an apprenticeship. Labour recognises this and is putting in place measures to support workers to gain new skills throughout their working lives. Labour will also introduce a retraining allowance available to those who have been in the workforce for ten years and wish to upgrade their skills or retrain in a new area. This will provide an alternative to the Student Allowance for people who have used their 200 weeks Student Allowance entitlement. These allowances will be available for up to a year for enrolment in a recognised full time course. The course will generally need to be of at least twelve full-time weeks duration. The Unemployment Benefit (in training) is already available for courses of up to twelve weeks. Labour will promote the development of financial literacy initiatives for Pacific peoples to increase their awareness and understanding of pathways in business. We will ensure that Pacific peoples are aware of the opportunities available in business, and supported to build their skills and knowledge in this area. We will assist Strong Proven Leadership 368
Pacific peoples to start, develop and sustain successful businesses. Through business training, networking, coaching, advice and business development, we will ensure the knowledge gained by others is shared and utilised for the benefit of Pacific business people, and that this includes Pacific businesswomen. Labour will promote business mentoring and other programmes for Pacific businesses. We want to see more Pacific people in managerial and leadership roles so they can influence and contribute to decisions and policies affecting Pacific communities. We will also ensure that our Pacific youth are supported through leadership programmes. Labour will continue to encourage and support a greater proportion of Pacific peoples into senior management and leadership positions within the public sector.
Health
Health and wellbeing are essential to Pacific peoples being able to reach their potential. Factors such as income, occupation and housing affect and influence health. Improvements in these areas, and increased access to primary health care, will lead to better health outcomes for Pacific peoples. Over the last ten years we have seen healthcare become more affordable and accessible for our Pacific families. The cost of seeing the doctor is no longer a barrier for Pacific people who are now receiving cheaper health care and prescriptions. Free health care for Pacific children under six years old, and B4 School Checks, mean children get the best possible chance to succeed at school. Pacific people are being encouraged to eat healthy food, become more physically active and maintain a healthy weight. Those requiring hospital-based health care are benefiting from increases in surgery to treat conditions that affect quality of life and investment in new hospitals and modern facilities. While Pacific people are increasingly accessing primary healthcare, they still have a shorter-than-average life expectancy and relatively high rates of mortality from avoidable and treatable causes. Improving the health status of Pacific peoples is therefore a priority for Labour. Labour will continue to focus on health programmes that reduce inequalities and improve health outcomes for Pacific peoples. We will focus on areas that will make the greatest difference to the health of Pacific peoples with specific focus on child health, smoking and obesity, management of chronic diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular disease and cancer. Strong Proven Leadership 369
Labour will strengthen the development of the Pacific health workforce. Building a skilled Pacific health workforce will maximise the health systems responsiveness to our diverse Pacific communities while also ensuring New Zealand has the health workforce it needs now and into the future. Labour will invest in the training and development needs of Pacific nonregulated health workers. These providers, such as community health workers, health promoters, care workers and youth workers, understand our Pacific communities and their needs. Investment in their training and development will better utilise this workforce to improve Pacific peoples health while also ensuring they are advancing in their careers. Labour will run pilot health programmes specifically focused on Pacific youth. We will pilot two Pacific youth health services in Auckland and Wellington. While the Pacific smoking rate has fallen over the last decade, Pacific people still have the second-highest rate of smoking of any population group. Labour will establish a smoking cessation service in Auckland and ensure that District Health Board anti-smoking initiatives focus on reducing Pacific smoking. A smoking cessation service in Auckland will be established, modelled on existing Pacific services in Wellington, Christchurch and Hamilton. District Health Boards with significant Pacific populations will focus on preventing uptake among Pacific youth and smoking cessation for pregnant women and Pacific adults, particularly those with children. We will focus on working with Pacific communities. Labour will encourage District Health Boards with smaller Pacific populations to develop initiatives and projects relevant to the health of local Pacific communities.
Education
Education and training underpins all the goals we have for New Zealand's future and the aspirations we have for all New Zealanders. Education is a key factor in achieving improved economic and social outcomes for our Pacific communities. Strong Proven Leadership 370
Over the last decade, we have seen improved levels of education for Pacific people across the education system. More children are participating in quality early childhood education, more students are leaving school with a qualification, and participation in tertiary education is growing faster for Pacific people than any other group. With the introduction of 20 hours free early childhood education for all three and four-year-olds, early childhood education is more accessible and affordable for all Pacific families. The last decade has seen the growth of Pacific early childhood services using Pacific languages. The introduction of the Diploma of Teaching (ECE Pasifika) has ensured that teachers in this important field are qualified. Pacific languages have been promoted in the classroom with the teaching of Samoan, Cook Islands Mori, Tongan and Niuean. Opportunities in trades training and the Modern Apprenticeship scheme have been promoted to Pacific young people and their families. Initiatives like the Gateway Programme and Young Enterprise Scheme are being utilised by our Pacific young people who are learning in the workplace while still engaged with school. The new funding system for tertiary education means Pacific students are taking part in quality tertiary education, fees are capped, and they are eligible for interest-free student loans. While educational achievement for Pacific people is progressing in the right direction, disparities between Pacific young people and others are not closing fast enough. We need to ensure that these gains not only continue but are accelerated. Labour will encourage greater Pacific participation, retention and achievement at all levels of the education system. Labour is committed to making sure that Pacific students achieve and succeed at all levels of the education system. A highly educated and skilled Pacific workforce is critical to improved economic and social status for Pacific people and the future of New Zealand. Labour will continue to focus on increasing Pacific participation in quality Early Childhood Education services to build strong learning foundations for Pacific children. We are committed to lifting the availability of Early Childhood Education services for Pacific children. This will involve ensuring the sustainability of services, sufficient numbers of qualified teachers and providing the type of services parents want and need in terms of location, language, culture and values. Labour will focus on achieving strong learning foundations in literary and numeracy at school. Strong Proven Leadership 371
We will work with Pacific families and communities to support each other to raise overall academic achievement. We will encourage more Pacific peoples into teaching, while also focusing on improving the capability of non-Pacific teachers to work effectively with Pacific students in the classroom. Labour will support all Pacific young people to be in school or some form of education or training until the age of eighteen through Schools Plus by 2014. We will link industry training providers and Pacific trades people with our Pacific young people and their families to ensure our Pacific peoples are aware of the opportunities available in trades training. Labour will promote and encourage awareness of the opportunities in Modern Apprenticeships and Industry Training, particularly to Pacific women. From the beginning of 2009 Labour will make it easier for more students to receive a student allowance, by reducing the age at which parental income is considered and by further increasing the parental income threshold for student allowances. We will continue to extend the eligibility of student allowances in 2010 and 2011 and abolish the parental income test altogether in 2012. Labour will increase student allowance eligibility as follows: From 1 January 2009, the parental income threshold will increase from its 2009 level (approximately $45,743) to approximately $50,318 (already announced) From 1 January 2010, the threshold will increase to $70,000 From 1 January 2011, the threshold will increase again to $100,000 From 1 January 2012, the parental income test will be abolished altogether.
Housing
Housing is an important factor in health and wellbeing. Over the last decade housing outcomes for Pacific peoples have improved. State house tenants are benefiting from income-related rents, and in the past nine years we have added over 7,800 homes to the state housing stock. Overcrowding has decreased as a result of families being assisted into more appropriate housing. Insulation and other energy-efficiency measures have also been Strong Proven Leadership 372
subsidised for older New Zealand homes occupied by those on low incomes, making houses warmer, drier and healthier while also reducing power bills. The Kiwi dream of owning a home is more accessible to Pacific families thanks to the Welcome Home Loan scheme for first-time buyers. KiwiSaver, in addition to helping Pacific people save for their retirement, can also help savers with up to $5000 to purchase their first home. Working with Pacific communities, we want to ensure these improvements continue so our Pacific families are adequately housed and that the dream of owning their own home can become a reality. Labour will develop a Pacific Peoples Housing Strategy, in consultation with Pacific communities and stakeholders, to identify initiatives to significantly improve Pacific peoples housing outcomes. We will ensure appropriate and effective engagement with Pacific peoples at a community level with particular focus on home ownership issues, overcrowding, Housing New Zealand waiting lists, housing supply and healthy homes. We are committed to improving tenant health and delivering energy cost savings for state house tenants through retrofitting state homes so they are warmer and drier and therefore healthier. Insulation also helps significantly reduce the cost of electricity. Labour will accelerate the state house insulation programme. We are committed to an increased supply of housing for lower to middle income families. Labour will make Crown land available for modest income families to build starter homes that will meet their needs as they seek to move into home ownership. Where necessary, we will work with developers and local government to build starter homes on Crown owned sites. We intend to make 1,500 sites available for such affordable homes over the next four years. Labour will support home ownership of new houses built on Crownowned land by introducing the HOPE (Home Ownership on the Public Estate) programme, where the government holds the equity in the land and the family owns the home built on it. This will help to ensure that the houses are within the reach of modest income families, and that this land continues to support affordable homeownership on an ongoing basis. Unfortunately, land prices particularly in Auckland have risen to the extent that this would not occur without additional assistance. Retaining the land in Crown hands, while allowing a family to own and reside in the home built on that land, will considerably reduce the cost of owning a first home. Strong Proven Leadership 373
Culture, Language and Broadcasting

Labour is committed to preserving and promoting our Pacific languages, culture, traditions, art and music. These are part of New Zealand's national identity and reflect our close links with the Pacific region. Over the last decade, we have seen increased investment in Radio New Zealand International's broadcasting to listeners across the Pacific and New Zealand's television broadcasting service to the Pacific region has been extended. New Zealand On Air funding has seen increased investment in television programmes that reflect New Zealand's Pacific diversity, such as Tagata Pasifika and bro'Town and movies like Sione's Wedding. The establishment of the National Pacific Radio Trust, and radio stations such as 531 PI and Niu FM has enabled Pacific peoples culture and languages to be more widely accessible. Labour has also worked with the Niuean, Cook Island and Tokelauan communities to addresses concerns about low rates of language retention, leading to the development of resources for encouraging the learning and use of Pacific languages. Labour is dedicated to promoting Pacific identity. We will enhance and strengthen our commitment to Pacific culture, language and broadcasting, not only as a reflection of our cultural identity but also as a platform for the economic and social development of Pacific peoples. We believe that New Zealand's Pacific communities should be able to hear and see their own voices, stories, music, and languages on television. Labour will prioritise the establishment of a free-to-air Pacific Islands channel. The development of a Pacific Islands channel will require more Pacific programmes and support increased opportunities for Pacific peoples in the television industry as a career option. Labour will promote Pacific broadcasting and encourage more Pacific peoples to get involved in the production of Pacific programmes. We are committed to ensuring that Pacific voices and cultures are well represented on the airwaves. Labour will continue to support the development and operation of the National Pacific Radio Network. Communications to the Pacific play a vital role in our relationships in the region. Labour supports strengthening resources and continuing New Zealands broadcasting in the Pacific, for example through Radio New Zealand International. Strong Proven Leadership 374
Labour will strengthen and continue New Zealand's broadcasting in the Pacific. We are committed to promoting the richness and diversity of our Pacific cultures through the arts. We will also promote career pathways available in the creative sector, and support our Pacific peoples in their artistic and economic development. Labour supports continued investment in the arts within Pacific communities, and will promote the career pathways available in the creative sector. Pacific languages are key to the sense of identity and cultural development of our Pacific communities. Labour is committed to working with Pacific communities to develop a whole-of-government strategy, led by the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs, to preserve and promote the use of Pacific languages in all aspects of life. Labour will promote the preservation of Pacific languages within New Zealand through a whole-of-government Pacific Languages Strategy, led by the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs.
Pacific Region
As a Pacific nation, New Zealand has a special relationship with our Pacific neighbours and kin. Labour is committed to working with Pacific nations on matters of common interest. Over the last decade, New Zealand has taken an active role in bringing and maintaining peace in the region. The Pacific is New Zealand's top priority for aid, focusing on strengthening governance, achieving growth and improved livelihoods and improving education and health. The Pacific region will continue to be a priority for Labour. We are committed to increased collaboration amongst the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, NZAID, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs around outcomes and targets for economic and social development in the Pacific region. Labour will promote a whole-of-government relationship approach to working in the Pacific. Our Pacific communities have strong links with their respective island communities, which New Zealand should utilise to extend and strengthen relationships in the Pacific.
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Labour will strengthen partnerships and development with civil society and businesses working in the Pacific with increased co-ordination around economic and social outcomes for the Pacific region. We support increased co-ordination around economic and social outcomes for the Pacific region with agencies like the New Zealand Pacific Business Council, the Pacific Trade and Investment Commission, local governments, Volunteer Service Aboard and the Pacific Cooperation Foundation. Labour will ensure our immigration policies continue to recognise the special relationship between New Zealand and the Pacific. For example changes have been made to ensure the Samoan Quota and Pacific Access Category can be filled. Under the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) scheme, Pacific workers have come to New Zealand on a temporary basis to fill seasonal labour shortages, with priority given to Pacific Forum countries. This helps employers in New Zealand while also contributing to the economies of the Pacific nations. Labour will continue Employment Scheme. to implement the Recognised Seasonal
We will ensure that Immigration New Zealand and the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs work together to facilitate involvement and support with New Zealand-based Pacific families and communities for the pastoral care of RSE workers. Labour will continue NZAID support in the Pacific region. We will continue to support workforce development strategies to improve education and skills in the Pacific region. We will also continue to provide support from the Civil Defence and Emergency Management sector for the provision of advice and training to the Pacific. Labour will continue to take an active role in maintaining peace in the Pacific region. We will continue to work with Pacific nations to promote good governance and develop governance arrangements that are appropriate and stable, including the possibility of more formal regional cooperation arrangements. Labour will support Pacific nations to deal with emerging issues such as climate change, HIV/AIDS and diabetes. We are committed to working with Pacific countries to build two-way trade, and to supporting Pacific nations to develop trade policy so they can access markets and Strong Proven Leadership 376
improve economic growth. For example, New Zealand has signed a market access agreement with Samoa as part of its bid to join the World Trade Organisation. Labour will work with Pacific nations to develop models of economic development that are sustainable in a globalising world, including building capacity to deal with other countries and in negotiating trade deals.
Consumer Affairs
Labour is committed to promoting consumer confidence in Pacific communities to ensure our Pacific peoples are aware of their rights, can access a fair deal and have effective avenues for redress. Pacific people are often targeted by fringe lending organisations because there is often a limited choice of credit providers, particularly if there are factors such as existing debts, poor credit history, lack of security, and urgency. There are a number of services available to provide financial and budgeting advice to Pacific people such as Family Budgeting Services, Citizens Advice Bureau, Budget Advisory Service and many other community groups. Assistance available for accommodation costs, the costs of raising children, disability costs, and Working for Families have assisted many Pacific families. Studies show that an additional cost for Pacific households is sending money home to family members, which about 75 per cent of Pacific people in New Zealand do. The cost of sending money to the Pacific can cost from 15 per cent to 25 per cent of the transaction. Labour has and will continue to focus on providing Pacific peoples with access to good financial education, so consumers are better-informed. We also want to see a more competitive remittances market between New Zealand and the Pacific region with a wider use of formal channels. We are committed to seeing the cost of remitting money from New Zealand to the Pacific reduce to between five and seven per cent by 2009 and will encourage a system based on transparency, efficiency, security, fairness and better informed consumers. Labour will promote a competitive remittance market between New Zealand and the Pacific region. Pacific communities have raised concerns about the exploitative practices of mobile shops. These are businesses that operate out of mobile trucks which frequently sell over-priced goods (particularly clothing) and which target low income neighbourhoods. Strong Proven Leadership 377
Under the new financial service provider laws, mobile shops that provide credit will have to be registered and be subject to a dispute resolution scheme. Labour will ensure that this requirement is enforced. We will also investigate whether regulation should be extended to those who do not provide credit. Labour will investigate further regulation of the mobile shops industry to ensure that vulnerable consumers, particularly people from Pacific and Mori communities and those with English as a second language, are not exploited by unethical mobile shop practices. An important way that consumer information and advice is given to families is through government working in partnership with budget advisers and Citizens Advice Bureau staff. Successful consumer advice training workshops run by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs have been held around the country, and we will build on these. Labour will increase training for budget advisers and Citizens Advice Bureau volunteers on consumer protection laws and policy. We are committed to delivering consumer awareness and financial literacy programmes that better meet the needs of Pacific peoples. Labour will support financial education programmes to increase financial capability amongst Pacific communities, particularly about money transfer methods and associated costs.
Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs

Labour is committed to investing in the future success of all Pacific New Zealanders, with the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs having a vital role in providing leadership and improvements in the lives of Pacific peoples. Improving outcomes for Pacific peoples contributes to the wellbeing of all New Zealanders. Over the last decade, Pacific peoples have made great advances. We've seen a huge reduction in unemployment while education and income levels are improving. To continue reducing disparities and ensure that Pacific people have the same benefits as the general population, Labour is committed to ensuring they have the same access to, and awareness of, opportunities. The role of the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs, particularly with their recently strengthened communications function, is vital in achieving this. Labour is committed to ensuring we are all working together to develop and build a prosperous future so all Pacific New Zealanders can realise their true potential.
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A strong Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs will have a positive affect not just on their initiatives but across government and throughout our communities. Improved social and economic outcomes for New Zealand's Pacific communities will in turn benefit Pacific people in the Pacific region. Labour will support the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs in providing leadership and improved outcomes for the continued promotion of economic participation, social wellbeing and cultural development of Pacific peoples in New Zealand. The Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs has an important role in promoting the economic, social, and cultural wellbeing of Pacific peoples. This is achieved through assisting and guiding the work of other agencies, organisations, and community groups as well as providing advice and evidence on how to achieve the wellbeing of Pacific communities. Labour will encourage a whole-of-government approach in promoting the wellbeing of Pacific peoples with efforts focused on areas where we can make the greatest difference. We are committed to strengthening and developing relationships with Pacific communities to ensure effective consultation, engagement and communication. We want to ensure that our Pacific communities are aware of government services, and that government can make informed decisions to improve the lives of Pacific peoples. Labour will support a strong communications function for the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs, linking Pacific peoples with the government and its agencies. We are committed to ensuring that appropriate reporting and monitoring of government initiatives is in place to measure outcomes for Pacific peoples. Labour will develop a knowledge-based Ministry with a strong research function.
Pacific communities
Labour has a strong history of working with, and advocating for, Pacific people and our Pacific communities. We embrace the Pacific values of hard work, education, and the importance of families, both close and extended. For New Zealands economic and social wellbeing, we need Pacific communities that are strong and healthy. Labour is committed to strengthening and nurturing relationships between Pacific communities and government. We want to ensure that Strong Proven Leadership 379
strong Pacific community organisations are in place to deliver quality social services to our families, children and young people, particularly those who are vulnerable. Non-government organisations play an extremely valuable role in our communities. These groups are the lifeblood of our Pacific communities, playing a key role in supporting families, particularly those at risk. Labour will continue the implementation of Pathway to Partnership to provide full funding by 2012 for contracted essential social services delivered by Pacific providers who understand our communities and their needs. We are committed to reducing the prevalence of problem gambling in Pacific communities. Labour will strengthen Pacific-dedicated services for preventing and minimising gambling harm. We want to see more of our Pacific people in positions that enable them to influence the design and delivery of policies and services for Pacific communities. Labour will encourage increased civic participation of Pacific peoples in advisory and decision-making positions.
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Strong, Visible and Supported Police
Labours policy for Policing
2008
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Introduction
Government has a fundamental responsibility to protect the rights of its citizens by safeguarding their security and punishing those who break the law. Labour believes every New Zealander has the right to feel safe in their home and community. Labour is committed to a strong and effective police organisation that has the support and resources needed to do its job. A police organisation that reflects New Zealanders belief in a safe and fair society where families and children can go about their daily lives free from the threat of violence. In the 1990s, a demoralised police organisation was being threatened with substantial job cuts and government investment in police buildings and equipment was lagging behind. Political parties that talked tough on crime had failed to address issues of new police equipment and new technology. Over the past decade, recorded crime has dropped by more than 6 percent. The resolution rate has increased at the same time, from 38 percent to 47 percent. In the past year (2007/08) alone, 10,000 more cases were resolved. Labours Policing Act 2008 is the most far-reaching legislative change for our Police organisation in 50 years and brings policing in New Zealand into the 21st century. Police give New Zealand outstanding service, and they deserve the best legislative framework to work in. Labour will increase the maximum penalty for participation in organised criminal groups and ensure offenders do not profit from their crimes. We will place a focus on youth crime so that young people who are at risk are identified early and intervention is happens before they end up in the youth justice system. Labour will also continue to make sure our police, agencies and the community at large recognise and work to reduce family violence. Public awareness campaigns have resulted in increased reporting of family violence but there is more to do if we are to protect our families.
Strong and Valued Police

New Zealanders want our police to be visible, responsive to the community and has the resources needed to do its job. Our police organisation is one of the best in the world and Labour will ensure it has the powers, equipment and staff to keep our families and communities safe.
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Ten years ago Police were threatened by job cuts of 500 officers, police buildings and equipment were run-down and staff were demoralised. TodayWe have recruited an extra 2,500 police since 1999, and have built or refurbished 35 Police stations. Ten years from now.More police will be on the beat than ever before with the equipment and new powers they need to protect our families and communities. Labour has invested in police buildings, new vehicles, stab resistant armour and developing digital radio communication. Over the past twenty years, the role of police has continued to develop. Community policing gives local residents a sense of security and allows Police to better understand their communitys needs and concerns. Labour wants to further develop community policing through closer involvement of the whole community in the safety of their neighbourhoods. Police have set up new problem solving teams who listen to and engage with local residents and business owners to assess their needs and prioritise their concerns. Local agencies and community representatives will be encouraged to help identify and solve problems in their local area. New Zealanders are proud of their police. Although in recent times high-profile court cases have dented some peoples confidence in police, Labour moved quickly to address this issue by setting up the Commission of Inquiry into Police Conduct which made 60 recommendations. Good progress is being made on implementing all of these including the introduction of a Code of Conduct. Following the Commissions report, the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) was restructured, with clarified powers and procedures when police conduct is under investigation. Labour is currently working on legislation to enhance the powers of the IPCA. Proposals include allowing the Authority to undertake its own investigations of complains about police misconduct in defined circumstances and amending current secrecy provisions so that information gathered during the Authoritys investigations can be used in any subsequent proceedings.
Gangs and Organised Crime

Organised crime is a serious and growing problem. Labour is committed to effective measures that provide police and the courts with the tools necessary to hold these offenders to account. We will send a strong message to gang leaders that their behaviour will not be tolerated and will ensure they cannot profit from the proceeds of organised crime or gang activity. Labour will establish a Commission of Inquiry into Organised Criminal Gangs as a means of establishing the extent of gang involvement in organised crime and ways to stamp it out.
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The Commission will draw not only from the experiences of police here in New Zealand but also from overseas jurisdictions facing similar issues and problems. The Commission will be expected to study not only the involvement of gangs in organised crime, but also recruitment and anti-social behaviour. It will also be charged with determining appropriate measures that need to be taken to curb and control gangs. Labour will investigate, and follow the progress of, the South Australian gang legislation to see if it is appropriate in the New Zealand. Under the new South Australian law a gang is outlawed by being declared a criminal organisation on advice from the police. Control orders can then be made against individual members, making it illegal for them to associate or communicate with other members and from being in certain places. Police can also issue public safety orders banning gangs from public places or events. Breaches of the law are punishable by up to five years in jail. Labour will pass the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Bill. Too many criminals are able to retain property and income acquired through criminal offending by distancing themselves from those committing the crimes. This enables gangs and career criminals to amass more money to fund more crime. Passing this legislation will remedy the problem by introducing a new civil forfeiture regime under which assets and profit gained from crime can be confiscated without a conviction. It will be sufficient to prove on the balance of probabilities that a person has benefited from significant criminal activity. Labour will extend the Counties Manukau initiative to respond to youth gangs to other centres. With help from government, Counties Manukau has put in place a youth gang initiative involving youth workers, an integrated case management model and reception centres. The results have been positive. Since 2006, police in Counties Manukau report less criminal activity and fewer serious offences by youth gangs. Recently Counties Manukau experienced a 4.9 percent drop in total reported crime, which was the second largest reduction in the country. Labour will extend this initiative to other regions around New Zealand who have requested that a similar response. Labour will pass the Organised Crime (Penalties and Sentencing) Bill. This Bill significantly increases the maximum penalty for participation in an organised criminal group and makes such participation an aggravating factor at sentencing. Increasing the maximum penalty from five to 10 years imprisonment sends a strong message that gang and other organised criminal activity will not be tolerated and ensures that crime bosses receive the level of penalty their actions deserve. In addition, this increase in penalty will ensure that interception warrants will be available to police in a wider range of circumstances to assist with investigating offending by crime bosses and helping police obtain a conviction. Strong Proven Leadership 385
Labour will pass the Serious Fraud Office (Abolition and Transitional Provisions) Bill. Labour will continue with its establishment of an Organised and Financial Crime Agency within police by passing the Serious Fraud Office (Abolition and Transitional Provisions) Bill. This disestablishes the current small and stand-alone Serious Fraud Office and transfers its important functions, powers and commercial fraud investigative capabilities into the larger police infrastructure. Amalgamating SFO and police skills and experience will bring a new capability to tackle corporate fraud and sophisticated organised crime. This new organisation offers a new mechanism to increase the attention given to serious and complex fraud, while significantly challenging those engaged in both domestic and international organised crime. Labour will pass the Search and Surveillance Powers Bill. As part of its fight against serious and organised crime, Labour has introduced a comprehensive package of reforms relating to the exercise of search and surveillance powers by law enforcement agencies. The Law Commission took five years to produce the recommendations that form the core of this Bill and Labour has also supplemented the Commission's work by adding a compulsory examination power to assist with the investigation of serious and organised crime. In this area, the Law has failed to keep pace with technology. For example, existing legislation sanctioning the law enforcement use of interception and tracking devices is cumbersome and outdated. It is silent with respect to the use of visual surveillance devices.
Police Working for Communities

Burglary involves a large number of offences it accounts for 15 percent of the prison population. It also has a real impact on victims. Often, an attack on someones home and personal property feels like an attack on the person themselves. Labour will tackle burglary by targeting high-burglary areas We know that patterns of burglary show that the risk of burglary in an area increases the more often it has been burgled in the past. We can therefore make a difference by targeting the ten police areas identified as most affected by this offence, and investing to put proven burglary reduction initiatives in place there. It is estimated that this initiative would achieve a reduction in burglary rates of 5 percent.
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Labour will expand the Priority Offenders Initiative. It is well recognised that a small group of offenders commit a disproportionate amount of crime and damage in communities. The Priority Offenders Initiative aims to identify these offenders and reduce their offending through co-ordinated case management. The initiative brings together a multi-agency group comprising police, Ministry of Social Development (Child, Youth and Family, Work and Income), Corrections and Housing to deal with the issues. Assistance is also offered to the families of the participants. Labour will expand the initiative which is currently operating in Kaikohe, Papakura, Rotorua, Flaxmere, Porirua and Christchurch. Labour will continue to fund Maori Wardens and will introduce permanent funding for Pacific Wardens to develop and expand the Pacific Warden Programme. The Neighbourhood Support and Community Patrols will continue to receive funding to coordinate their activities.
Reducing Reoffending
We need integrated community plans using local people to achieve lasting success, and thats why Labour will address the need for more mental health, education, drug and alcohol dependency community based programmes for young offenders. Government agencies need to continue helping non-government or community organisations in delivering effective rehabilitation and reintegration plans for young offenders and their families. Labour will ensure that programmes are designed specifically for Pacific Island and Maori young offenders aimed at strengthening their cultural identity, heritage and values in order for them to be successfully reintegrated back into the community. A bottom line is encouraging government agencies and community groups to continue work in partnership to respond effectively to young offenders psychological problems, alcohol and drug issues, educational failure and lack of employment skills. As an extension of that, Labour is asking for more work to be done on the United Kingdom model of fixed penalty notices. Labour will investigate fixed penalty notices where offences are sufficiently minor not to warrant a full prosecution process. Strong Proven Leadership 387
Any such system of fixed penalty notices would build on the current infringement notice system, and needs to be nationally consistent if it is to work properly. Actions cannot work in isolation. Services need to be coordinated at a local level. Labour will over time establish Drug and Alcohol Teams at a local level to coordinate a range of services to provide tailored solutions for those who commit crime to fund their drug use. This will draw on the Drug and Alcohol Team initiative in the United Kingdom. Drug and Alcohol Teams will refer individuals to alcohol and other drug treatment at their first point of contact with the criminal justice system, if that treatment is required. Police will be able to test first time offenders and refer them for appropriate treatment, instead of such treatment being largely restricted, as it is now, to prisoners or those on parole.
Misuse of Alcohol
The availability and misuse of alcohol clearly remains a significant problem for communities around New Zealand and for policing. Labour will pass the Sale and Supply of Liquor and Liquor Enforcement Bill, which is aimed at making it more difficult for minors to obtain alcohol. The Bill will, among other things: Make it an offence for an adult, other than the minors parent or guardian, to supply alcohol to a minor. Amend the Land Transport Act to introduce a zero blood alcohol limit for drivers under 20 who do not hold a full licence. Ensure minors are referred to an alcohol programme in place of paying an infringement fine. Make it an offence to use fake ID. Labour also believes it is important to improve community input into the licensing process. Local Alcohol Plans will be prepared through consultation under the Local Government Act 2002, and will be designed to control the hours during which liquor may be sold, maximum outlet density, and minimum proximity to other outlets and types of community premises. As well, the Law Commission is undertaking a comprehensive, first principles review of the Sale of Liquor Act, which is now 20 years old and which has had about as many amendments to it as the old Police Act.
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Family violence and sexual violence

Family violence is still minimised by many who fail to recognise its impact across all areas of our violence statistics. In the past nine years, since Labour began campaigning to raise awareness of family violence, there has been a sharp increase in the number of offences reported. In fact, in the past years crime stats, family violence accounted for all the increase in violent offences. Police action has had a major role in terms of the reporting of family violence, with all frontline police now having training in the area. The successful Its not Okay campaign is also starting to impact on the figures. Labour will pass the Domestic Violence Reform Bill. The Bill, introduced in September, is designed to enable Police to issue interim protection orders; improve the response of the Criminal Court and the Family Court to victims of family violence; and to provide better protection for children in Family Court matters. Labour will also introduce legislation to address the recommendations of the Taskforce for Action on Sexual Violence that was set up in July last year. Addressing sexual violence requires a multi-faceted approach covering prevention, improved support for victims, and increased accountability for offenders both within and alongside the criminal justice system. Community feedback has now been received into the taskforce document Improvements to Sexual Violence Legislation in New Zealand which sought views on possible law changes to the area of consent, the defence of reasonable belief in consent (Crimes Act) and the admissibility of evidence relating to the sexual history of the complainant, also known as the Rape Shield. Changes will be made to legislation after this feedback is considered.
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An Active Programme to Promote and Protect Jobs
Labours Policy Response to the Global Downturn
2008
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Introduction
Labours plan for achieving sustainable growth is built around six key elements: Infrastructure Innovation International connections Savings Skills Sustainability
Our planning has always recognised that the economy operates in cycles. After a sustained period of growth there comes a slowdown, some reallocation of resources and adjustments to pricing structures before growth is re-established. Labours plan has always been about managing the upswings so that they are maintained as long as possible, and ensuring that there is stability in the economy to help reduce both the depth and the length of a downturn. As a consequence of responsible economic management over the past nine years, we have entered this part of the economic cycle in a relatively strong position. Unemployment has been below 4 per cent for four years. Projections in the Pre-Election Fiscal Update (PREFU) suggest that, if no new initiatives are taken, over the next two years unemployment may increase to over 5 per cent. While this is still below the levels of unemployment we inherited from National in 1999, it is higher than Labour is comfortable with. There is no doubt, that the extent of the international financial crisis has dramatically changed the external factors impacting on the New Zealand economy. That change has been so great since the May budget, and even since the PREFU was finalised, that it would not be responsible to wait until our 2009 budget to detail changed investment priorities. Labour believes that the highest priority at this stage of the economic cycle should be sustaining and creating jobs. At a time when domestic and international demand is falling, the government has the ability to bring forward spending plans which can give a boost to employment and can better prepare the economy to take advantage of the upswing when it arrives. For an economic stimulus package to be effective it must: Strong Proven Leadership 393
be part of a long term strategy to build sustainable economic growth be timed to reduce the worst impacts of the recessionary cycle without putting additional inflationary pressure on during the following upswing be targeted well, in terms of: o geographical focus and o employment and capacity constraints
The size of the package will be finalised in December when the government has the most up-to-date information available on the economic outlook. But it will contain elements relevant to a number of the key elements of our overall economic plan, along with projects specifically designed to boost employment in the construction sector. The initiatives in our package can be regionally-focussed. That is because the pressure on employment will vary markedly around the country. Where regionallyfocused initiatives are being considered, the decisions about which areas to invest in will be determined by the extent to which: the region is suffering from job lay-offs the investment can add to ongoing growth potential for the region
In summary, while our economy clearly faces short term challenges from the fallout of global financial turbulence. Labour will ensure that the current international crisis does not lead to prolonged recession in New Zealand.
Financial Measures
On 12 October Labour announced a retail deposit guarantee scheme to reinforce confidence in New Zealands financial system. The scheme covers all retail deposits of participating New Zealand-registered banks, and in retail deposits by locals in nonbank deposit-taking entities, such as building societies, credit unions and deposittaking finance companies The deposit guarantee is designed to give assurance to New Zealand depositors that their deposits are safe in the current uncertain international financial market conditions.
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Working with the banking sector

The slowing economy and the weakening housing market, together with the prospect of rising unemployment, may combine to put a number of New Zealanders with mortgages in a difficult financial position. The Government has taken action to write to each of the countrys largest mortgage lending banks to seek their response to this situation. Banks have responded with assurances that they have well established procedures in place to respond positively and pro-actively to customers facing difficulty. These include approaches such as: proactive contact with customers identified as having difficulty temporarily reducing servicing obligations capitalisation of interest payments restructuring total debt obligations
Wholesale Funding Guarantee facility

The government has also introduced a wholesale funding guarantee facility which will be available to financial institutions which have an investment grade credit rating (BBB- or better), and have substantial New Zealand borrowing and lending operations (but not to institutions that are simply financing a parent or related company). This will give confidence to New Zealands financial sector and will facilitate its access to international financial markets.
Economic Stimulus Package

Labour will before Christmas 2008, present to Parliament an economic stimulus package which will: bring forward infrastructure spending and job rich sustainability initiatives provide additional assistance to the building sector legislate for new allowances to support the transition of displaced workers legislate for changes to provisional tax to ease pressures on businesses. 395
Bringing Forward Planned Infrastructure Spend

Rail
There are a number of rail upgrade projects which will be considered for investment ahead of current planning. They include: the North South Junction, which would enable the carriage of 96 containers between Palmerston North and Wellington port, (at present they are off-loaded at Palmerston North and trucked). the Marsden Point Branch line to enable import/export cargos to be transited. At present the line is still located at the old port of Whangarei. working with the Ports of Auckland to connect the Wiri inland port complex to the rail network, so thereby reducing the number of trucking movements in the central city, speeding up the processing of containers and reduce the need for storage. working with Fonterra to effect a better connection of the rail network with the dairy factory at Clandeboye, to facilitate a more efficient operation for both the coal and the raw milk coming into the factory and the export product going out.
Roading
Planned expenditure on new roads and road renewals is currently around $1,200 million per annum, rising to $1,700 million per annum over the next 10 years, covering 600-plus projects. Advice is being obtained from the New Zealand Transport Agency on which individual projects, or what proportion of projects, are capable of being accelerated. An enhancement of the existing Financial Assistance Rate for funding local roading would be available for those regions in need of additional economic stimulus to enable them to bring forward projects such as: providing dedicated road space for public transport or other extended passenger transport services additional walking and cycling facilities street lighting upgrades to improve both energy efficiency and safety footpath renewals local road maintenance
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Sewerage Infrastructure
The Labour-led Governments Sanitary Works Subsidy Scheme assists small- to medium-sized communities to build or upgrade their reticulated sewerage facilities and treatment plants. Unlike some other infrastructure sectors, the water and sewerage infrastructure sector is largely unaffected by capacity constraints and, with the help of this Scheme, has an established workforce of highly specialised wastewater engineers able to continue work on regional projects, should additional funding be made available. Indeed, the establishment and provision of funding for the Scheme in 2002 served as a catalyst for skills development in this area, and led to an increase in specialisation in wastewater engineering. It is estimated that of the unfunded applications received to date, approximately 10 to 20 per cent could be progressed immediately. These could include: Community/Council Whangarei Heads (Whangarei DC) Huapai (Rodney DC) Brunswick/Rotokawa (Rotorua DC) Okareka (Rotorua DC) Muriwai (Rodney DC) Eltham (South Taranaki DC) Parua Bay (Whangarei DC) Dannevirke (Tararua DC) Oakura (New Plymouth DC) Potential Subsidy $M 8.95 7.33 6.22 5.18 4.09 3.53 1.09 1.0 4.44
Broadband
Labour has a regulatory environment highly conducive to the roll out of super fast broadband. Now more must be done to roll that out across New Zealand. The core part of our investment package is the Broadband Investment Fund. We have made available $250m for urban projects, $75m for rural, and $15m for international connections, as well as $160m+ for connectivity in health and education and around $10m for other new Digital Strategy initiatives. There has been a very positive response to the initial round of applications for the broadband funding announced in Budget 2008. At that time, we advised that no more than 40 per cent of the appropriated funds would be available for use in the first year.
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If regions in need of some additional economic stimulus have acceptable proposals, however, Labour will bring forward more of the funding into the first year.
Sustainability Initiatives
Addressing soil erosion
There are many areas of land significantly affected, or potentially affected, by mass movement erosion especially in the lower North Island. The reintroduction of vegetation to these lands through afforestation or managing natural regeneration can provide much improved stability. This programme would also provide employment opportunities. Geographically the most acute land areas are concentrated within the boundaries of Gisborne District Council, the Hawkes Bay Regional Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council, Horizons Manawatu, and the Taranaki Regional Council. The Northland Regional Council, Auckland Regional Council, Environment Waikato, and Environment Bay Councils also have significant areas of affected land. The government has three programmes in place which already provide direct funding support as an incentive for afforestation activity which targets eroding and erosion prone land: the East Coast Forestry Project this well established programme targets affected land within the boundaries of the Gisborne District Council. the Sustainable Land Management (Hill Country Erosion) programme, introduced in 2007, provides $2 million a year to accelerate activity by regional councils. the Afforestation Grants Scheme, introduced with the Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change Plan of Action, is designed to ensure that avoiding further hill country erosion is a consideration.
This framework supports the objective of achieving slope stability and reducing erosion. Programmes consistent with it can be boosted by the provision of further funds.
Insulating houses and improving energy efficiency in our homes

This programme is relatively labour-intensive and people can be trained for the work in a relatively short time period. This makes the work ideal for generating work around the country. Improving the energy efficiency of our housing stock also Strong Proven Leadership 398
contributes to the sustainability of our nation overall. It not only reduces demand for energy, but also it improves health outcomes. Labour will bring forward access to the $1 billion home energy efficiency fund so that schemes for retrofitting older houses can be expanded in those areas where unemployment is emerging.
Stimulating the Building Sector

Traditionally, one of the first sectors to feel the effects of an economic downturn is the building industry. Already we are seeing the signs of decreased activity in the sector.
Bringing forward school property upgrades

At the last budget $14.072 million was set aside to address space deficiencies in 29 schools. There are other schools around the country which would benefit from additional or upgraded space. It is estimated that up to $185 million of work could be considered. In this years budget $20 million was made available to fund replacement buildings in twenty schools. There is still a number of schools in the queue for such buildings, and, if spare construction capacity is available, work could be brought forward. This could provide replacement buildings for schools as below. Schools funded 2008 Avondale College Kaitangata School Crownthorpe School Arthur Miller School Southbrook School Fairlie School Putere School Omokoroa School Linwood North School Naenae Intermediate Kilbirnie School Waitoki School St Albans School Lincoln Primary School Value ($000) 2,200 205 479 449 467 465 563 456 1,857 864 934 523 1,625 999 399 Potential extra schools Cambridge High School Sommerfield School Pt Chevalier School Christchurch South School Lyttleton Main School Manurewa East School Karanui School Taupo-Nui-A-Tia College Epsom Girls Grammar Glen Eden Intermediate Green Bay Primary School Papatoetoe High School Value ($000) 856 289 1,480 2,453 2,300 1,539 2,199 2,848 3,553 2,433 2,680 3,984
Twyford School Kaipara College Napier Intermediate Westburn School
508 3,361 3,280 463
Creating demand for affordable housing

Labours Home Ownership on the Public Estate (HOPE) initiative will allow families to build homes designed to be affordable. It will create demand for housing which might not occur otherwise. HOPE will be rolled out in Auckland in the first instance, but can also spread to other high cost housing areas. Labour will support home ownership of new houses built on Crownowned land by introducing the HOPE (Home Ownership on the Public Estate) programme, where the government holds the equity in the land and the family owns the home built on it.
Bringing forward state house construction and retrofitting

While the building industry is experiencing a slowdown, there is potential to boost the number of state houses planned for construction, and bring forward redevelopments already planned on Housing New Zealand property. Housing New Zealand is also working to insulate all state houses, currently within a five year timeframe. There is also a significant modernisation and maintenance programme involved in ensuring that all state house tenants are living in decent accommodation. These are job-rich areas of work, with the potential to pick up slack in demand experienced by the building and construction sector. Labour is prepared to bring forward the current spending programme on home retrofitting, upgrading the State Housing stock, and planned development on Housing New Zealand land.
Legislating for New Allowances

A skilled workforce is a major driver of economic growth and innovation. A skilled workforce lifts productivity, improves New Zealands global competitiveness and helps our industries. Skills, knowledge, innovation, and creativity are becoming the main drivers of our country's competitive advantage. In times of economic adjustment, it is essential that workers are supported to gain new skills which will enhance their job opportunities. Strong Proven Leadership 400
Job Search Allowance

In many cases when a worker becomes redundant, this removes the familys only source of income. In situations like this, social security assistance is already available. In other cases, there is another earner in the family. Even so, the implications of sudden job loss can be hugely stressful and disruptive. This can be particularly the case for families who had been well-established in the workforce with an expectation of ongoing income and with expenditure patterns determined by children, housing costs, credit repayments or other factors. Labours new policy provides additional transitional assistance to support workers get back into paid employment, identify an appropriate retraining course, or adjust their circumstances. Labour will introduce legislation to implement a Job Search Allowance for up to thirteen weeks for people who have been made redundant after at least five years in the workforce. This allowance is available to workers in two earner families where one is made redundant from work. Under existing social security provision this family would have received no support
Retraining Allowance
In the modern world, skills are increasingly important, both for individuals and for the economy as a whole. Careers are also becoming more complex with people more likely to change jobs and even occupations several times over the course of their working life. These changes will often require a period of retraining. Labour will introduce legislation to implement a new retraining allowance, on the same basis as a student allowance, but with no spousal income test, for workers who have been in the workforce for at least five years and have been made redundant. Labour will also introduce legislation to implement a retraining allowance available to those who have been in the workforce for ten years and wish to upgrade their skills or retrain in a new area.
Legislating for Changes to Provisional Tax

Small and medium sized firms can potentially suffer cash flow problems during a downturn which may be exacerbated by the rules governing provisional tax. Labour will therefore introduce temporary measures to provide more flexibility. Strong Proven Leadership 401
Labour will, for the period from 15 January 2009 to May 2010, reduce the use of money interest rate for underpayments of provisional tax to the same level as that paid for the overpayment of provisional tax. The Commissioner of Inland Revenue will have the discretion to increase the use of money interest rate back to the normal level if he is satisfied that there has been a deliberate attempt to underpay tax. Note: current use-of-money interest rates are 14.24% for underpayments and 6.66% on overpayments.
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A Dynamic Racing Industry
Labours policy for Racing
2008
404
Introduction
Racing is a skilled vibrant industry with a high profile in New Zealand. It contributes significantly to the economy in primary production, gaming sport and entertainment. It has an extremely high return on exports and has created a product capable of earning income abroad. Racing offers employment directly and indirectly to many people across a wide spectrum of society and helps create a recreational asset across the country. Labour is committed to working in partnership with the industry to achieve better outcomes in all areas. We have worked hard over the last nine years to build a good environment for the racing industry. The income tax liability has been removed on offshore stake money, and the GST liability due on horses sold for export has been addressed. We passed the Racing Act, and today we have one body with overall responsibility for setting a single policy direction. Under the Racing Act 2003, the industry is better equipped to address various challenges than it was previously. Labour has delivered a reduction in taxation to align with other forms of gambling, enabling the industry to have increased funds for stakes, assets and other activities. In this years Budget we introduced a three-year, $9 million funding subsidy for prize monies. Labour recognises the need for the industry to achieve sustainable growth through maximising strengths and opportunities, and will continue to work closely with the sector to facilitate this.
A Prosperous and Dynamic Sector

Labour is committed to building on the good partnership we have developed with the racing industry over the last nine years. We will continue to work closely with industry to strengthen racings contribution to economic growth. Labour will ensure that all additional funding to racing contributes to real economic growth to be enjoyed by all stakeholders, through appropriate industry strategies. Labour will work with the New Zealand Racing Board on its various initiatives as it develops a strategic approach to growing the New Zealand racing industry. The New Zealand Racing Board has been in place since the commencement of the Racing Act 2003. In that short time, it has commissioned ground-breaking research for the New Zealand Racing industry. On the basis of the research findings, it has identified a way forward for the industry and now faces the challenge of implementing those plans. Strong Proven Leadership 405
Labour will work with the New Zealand Racing Board, the racing code bodies, governments and international racing bodies to ensure that New Zealand is wellplaced to respond to any threats to racings revenue and integrity. We will uphold the position of the New Zealand Racing Board to hold the exclusive rights to racing and sports betting in New Zealand, and for the net proceeds to be returned to sustain New Zealand racing. It is important that the racing industry continues to be a contributor to New Zealands economy. Labour will work with the industry to reduce injuries, promote safe practices and provide safe amenities. Racing is inherently a dangerous occupation. But with the right tools, the risks can be managed and mitigated. Labour is committed to working with the sector to reduce injuries. As a consequence, fewer injuries and safer practices will result in a reduction in ACC levies. Labour will support appropriate biosecurity measures to protect the racing industry in all its activities. Our thoroughbred stock is a precious resource, and in New Zealand we are lucky our industry is free from diseases such as Equine influenza. But the recent scare in Australia shows the need for vigilance in biosecurity measures to protect the industry. Labour will ensure the racing sector and the government have the necessary measures and tools in place to identify and manage biosecurity risks to protect the industry. Labour will work with the racing sector to further its industry training and education goals. Skills development and training is as important in the racing sector as any other sector. We want to see the industry continue to move towards being a hightechnology, high-skilled driver of growth. Labour will continue to work with the sector to identify areas for improvement in industry training and education.
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The same rights for all New Zealanders
Labours Rainbow policy 2008

408
Introduction
Labour believes that the same basic rights apply to all New Zealanders regardless of their sexual orientation. We have made great progress in bringing about formal legal equality for non-heterosexual New Zealanders. This provides a sound basis for dealing with outstanding legal issues and for creating a supportive environment for all Rainbow communities. Changing behaviour and attitudes is of course a much longer-term process than changing legislation. For younger members of Rainbow communities, and those living in rural areas, there continues to be a risk to safety for many. In terms of legislation, and public policy, challenges remain. Some matters were not addressed after the relationship law reform carried out in 2005 because they were already in the process of separate reform. There is also a strong feeling in some quarters that civil unions are second-class arrangements when compared to the status of marriage, and a court challenge to the current legal incapacity for same-sex marriage is being considered.
Equality before the Law for All

All couples of any sexual orientation were able to register their relationships from April 2005 thanks to the Civil Union law. Over 1,000 couples had registered in civil unions as at 30 September 2007. Around 45,000 marriages were registered in the same period. One in five of the 1,000 civil unions have been between a man and a woman, and more lesbian than gay couples have had a civil union. Prior to the Civil Union law, the Property (Relationships) Act 2001 introduced relationship law to ensure equal division of property in the event of relationship break-up for married, de facto and same-sex couples. To ensure that married and civil unionised couples would be treated the same under virtually the entire range of New Zealand laws, 180 laws were amended through the Relationships (Statutory References) Act. The Sentencing Act 2002 allows where crimes are motivated by hate - such as a crime against someone because of their sexual orientation this may be considered an aggravating factor in sentencing. The Criminal Records (Clean Slate) Act 2004 enables people convicted for offences which are no longer offences to apply to a judge to have those offences expunged from their personal criminal records. This includes convictions pre-1986 for consensual sexual contact between men aged over 16 years. The Care of Children Act 2004 reformed guardianship law, including bringing it into line with human rights principles and removing barriers discriminating against samesex parents. It also gave limited rights for known sperm donors and codified rights for those who used assisted reproduction technology to conceive. Strong Proven Leadership 409
Labour will continue to support achieving equality before the law for all New Zealanders through legislation and policy. Significant progress has been made in terms of legislative equality but there are some outstanding issues such as provocation (as discussed in a recent Law Commission report) and adoption. Labour will ensure that as new laws are made and old laws reviewed they are consistent with human rights. The report of the Human Rights Commission indicates that on-going discrimination against Transgendered New Zealanders remains a significant issue and gives some clear recommendations. Labour will address the recommendations of the Law Commission and Human Rights Commission reports. New Zealand is a strong advocate internationally for the equal treatment of nonheterosexual people. Labour will actively support efforts to remove discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation through relevant international human rights frameworks.
Public Services and Policies that Support Rainbow Communities

Since 1 April 2007, couples in same-sex de facto relationships have had the same status as married, civilly-unioned and opposite-sex de facto couples when it comes to receiving income assistance. Funding is being provided for four gender reassignment operations every two years (3 male-female, 1 female-male) and the second cycle of this programme has begun. Such operations were funded by government until 1991, then discontinued. Gender reassignment operations have the potential to transform people's lives. There is now ongoing staff training in the Defence Force, Police and Customs on homophobia awareness. The New Zealand Police have established a comprehensive network of Diversity Liaison Officers (DLOs) whose specific role is to liaise with local Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered and Intersex (GLBTI) communities. New Zealand now operates a non-discriminatory immigration policy in respect of same-sex couples. Strong Proven Leadership 410
Policy advice on sexual orientation issues is now co-ordinated through a unit in the Ministry of Social Development (MSD). The policy function of MSD has been a great success in ensuring that government agencies are sensitive to the issues facing Rainbow communities. But further support is needed to deal with issues in areas such as health. Labour will further develop the rainbow policy function of the Ministry of Social Development to ensure that concerns of rainbow communities are taken into account when policy is made. HIV positive people in New Zealand now have access to the same range of treatments as those living in Australia. Labour will ensure the effective implementation of the sexual and reproductive health strategy, including the HIV/AIDS action plan. We will also continue to resource organisations responsible for promoting the prevention of HIV/AIDS and the care of those living with HIV, in particular the New Zealand AIDS Foundation. The review of blood donation policy represents a difficult issue for rainbow communities. Current policy is in line with international regulations, but is undoubtedly discriminatory against men who identify as gay. Labour will develop a blood donation policy with the goal of making it as non-discriminatory as possible while retaining public safety and confidence.
Safe School Environments

Young people need to feel safe and secure at school if they are to achieve their potential. Homophobic bullying of GLBTI students (and teachers) are major issues in schools. A stakeholder group combining young people, teachers and educationalists (Safe Schools for Queers-SS4Q) has been working with the government on these issues. Schools are now receiving more support to promote safe schools. As well, the Education Review Office now pays closer attention to the strategies schools employ to combat bullying and harassment. Labour encourages these developments in schools for the benefit of students, teachers and the wider community. Schools serve more diverse students these days and Labour accepts that schools need better guidance on how to keep all students safe. Labour will provide guidelines, resources and best-practice examples for schools on how to combat bullying. Strong Proven Leadership 411
Students at many schools have set up peer support groups as a way of promoting respect and offering support. Labour will encourage schools to support the establishment of diversity groups or gay/straight alliances in secondary schools. Labour will support the development of school-based peer support groups. We will also fund research with the purpose of publishing best-practice examples of schools and early childhood centres that are supportive contexts for GLBTI students, teachers and families/whanau. Labour will ensure that all schools' sexuality education programmes are inclusive of, and convey positive messages about, GLBTI people, including students, teachers and families/whanau. We will also ensure that all Ministry of Education documentation that includes a definition of diversity is inclusive of sexuality and gender diversity.
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Sustainable and vibrant rural communities
Labours policy for Rural Affairs
2008
414
Introduction
Sustainable and vibrant rural communities are at the heart of New Zealands wellbeing. These communities are vital for the 14 percent of New Zealanders (about 550,000 people) who live in rural areas, and to the health of New Zealands economy and cultural heritage. Labour wants to see New Zealands rural communities and businesses continue to prosper and make their contribution to our economy. We want to consolidate and expand essential rural services so that rural areas are sustainable and good places to live for future generations. We believe that further investment in world-class infrastructure and sustainable solutions will enable the rural economy to grow. We believe that all New Zealanders are entitled to the best possible social services rural New Zealanders should not be disadvantaged because they live outside a town or city. Some services are too important to simply be left up to the market. We believe government must ensure that such services are delivered to hard-to-reach areas. Labour has an excellent record in responding to the needs of rural communities. Over the last nine years we have increased the number of rural police stations. We have increased funding for rural health through the Rural Innovations Fund, and funding for increased staffing in rural schools. Labour has ensured rural schools have broadband access, set up the Sustainable Farming Fund and passed landmark legislation that balances private property rights and public walking access. Labour will continue to support a sustainable rural economy and environment by promoting research, innovation, and entrepreneurship and supporting innovative local and community-focused infrastructure solutions. We will also continue to strengthen the rural economy through our commitment to economic transformation. Our priorities for rural New Zealand over the next three years are centred on a new model of healthcare for rural communities; more convenient government services; an assurance of at least two teachers at every rural school; continuing support for safe drinking water systems; and the promotion of small scale renewable electricity generation for rural and isolated locations.
Rural Health A New Model of Healthcare for Rural New Zealand

Rural New Zealanders are entitled to have access to the very best health care, regardless of the distance they live from the nearest city or hospital. Healthcare in rural New Zealand has taken big steps forward in the last nine years. Over $100 million now goes to support rural health services each year. Rural New Zealanders can have minor surgical procedures close to their home on the innovative Strong Proven Leadership 415
Mobile Surgical Bus so dont have to go into hospital. Patients receive support through the National Travel Assistance Programme if they have to travel to receive treatment. Upgraded drinking water supplies and sewerage schemes will benefit 210,000 New Zealanders. The rural health workforce is now getting more support than ever. Rural GPs are paid a bonus through a $4 million annual fund. Another $11 million goes towards ensuring rural health workers are retained and provide good after hours care. There are now rural immersion programmes at both New Zealand medical schools. A $2 million fund is distributed to rural midwives annually to help them with the costs of practicing in rural areas. Innovation in rural health is being encouraged through the Rural Innovations Fund. We understand, however, that people in rural communities still visit their GPs less frequently than people living in urban areas. Given that access to primary health care is very important for people to stay healthy, it is vital for rural New Zealanders to have the easiest and most convenient access to primary healthcare possible. Labour will work with DHBs to develop rural primary health centres which incorporate the needs of rural communities and bring services together where possible into one facility. Labour will establish one stop shop primary health care centres in rural areas. The idea of a one-stop-shop primary health care centre is not an entirely new concept. A few District Health Boards are either working on these concepts, or have recently opened such facilities. This is something we want to promote and expand. The Horowhenua Health Centre is an example of the type of response to a communitys health needs that we believe is the future of rural health care. At this one stop shop, patients can see their GP, have an X-ray or blood test, and get their prescriptions filled - all in one visit. The facility is located on the same site as a secondary care hospital, creating strong linkages between GPs and secondary treatment, rehabilitation and maternity services. The centre has been very successful, with more than 26,000 patients seeing a GP there in its first year. It is our goal that these one-stop-shops be extended into more rural areas across New Zealand. Labour will work closely with DHBs to extend these services into more rural to ensure that rural New Zealanders have more convenient and integrated primary health care services. It is a fact that the most complicated health procedures and specialist care cannot be provided in rural communities. Because of this, it is important that rural health services are integrated with secondary and tertiary specialist services in urban centres and that after hours services in rural areas are comprehensive and well-resourced. The National Travel Assistance programme helps Kiwis who have to travel for treatment, by providing financial support for mileage and accommodation. We want Strong Proven Leadership 416
to ensure that New Zealanders are given the support they need when they have to travel away from home to see a specialist. Labour will review the operation of the National Travel Assistance programme and ensure it is delivering maximum benefit to rural New Zealanders. The Rural Innovations Fund is an annual contestable fund that provides one off support for innovative practices in rural medicine. Each year $300,000 is made available in grants. We will continue to support innovations in rural health to ensure that rural communities have access to the best possible health services. Labour will continue to support innovative rural health solutions through the Rural Innovations Fund. The Rural Ranking Scale is a method used to define how rural a practice is, and in turn how much extra support a rural medical practice becomes entitled to. Labour will ensure that the Rural Ranking Scale has continued relevance by reviewing its function. Labour will review the Rural Ranking Scale to ensure its continued relevance. Rural hospitals need to be closely integrated with secondary and tertiary units to ensure that rural New Zealanders receive seamless care and the best possible access to specialist services. Labour will investigate better cooperation and coordination through, for example, increased use of technology such as telemedicine. Labour will investigate ways for rural hospitals to better co-ordinate with specialist secondary and tertiary units. Labour understands that some rural practitioners have heavy workloads, especially in after hours care. We are committed to rural after hours services that are sustainable and provide the best possible clinical care. Labour will work closely with DHBs and PHOs to strengthen after hours care in rural communities. We currently require all DHBs to have after hours plans to ensure that all people can access emergency care outside working hours. This year Labour committed an extra $5 million per annum for rural after hours care. We will continue to work closely with providers and DHBs to ensure that communities receive after hours care that is reliable, safe, and takes into account the needs of practitioners.
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Effective and Convenient Social Services

By their very nature, many rural communities are isolated. For some, this means that Government support services are less accessible to rural New Zealanders than those who live in urban areas. Labour believes that rural communities should not be disadvantaged in terms of their access to social services, and that the government has a responsibility to ensure access. Prior to 1999, government agencies had largely withdrawn from providing service centres in rural communities. They expected rural New Zealanders to Heartland Service Centres and Usage Figures engage with them by telephone, mail or internet. We dont think that this is 40 120000 right. 35
100000 Number of clients 30
In the last six years, Labour in Government has opened 36 Heartland 15 Service Centres throughout New 40000 10 Zealand. These centres ensure that 20000 rural New Zealanders are better 5 connected to Government services by 0 0 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 bringing the services to them. A large range of services (from the Department of Internal Affairs births, deaths and marriages services, Child Youth and Family and Accident Compensation Corporation, to Career Services, Studylink and Work and Income support) are available to rural New Zealanders through these one-stop-shops.
80000 60000 25 20
Usage Centres O ti
We have ensured that in some areas, Government agencies working in collaboration visit isolated communities together and utilise existing community premises of local authorities, community trusts or health centres. These Heartland Outreach Services are now operating in 15 areas. Our Heartland Service Centres and Outreach Services have been very popular in rural communities. Last year over 100,000 people visited a Service Centre. Labour is committed to continuing and strengthening this successful model of service provision for rural communities. Ten years ago there were no Heartland Service Centres or Outreach Services. Rural New Zealanders had diminished access to Government support services, and either had to interact from distance (via phone, mail, fax or email) or travel some distance. Today there are 36 Heartland Centres and 15 Outreach Services. Over 100,000 people visited a Heartland Services Centre in 2007. Ten years from nowProvision of services to rural communities will have continued to improve and gaps in services will have been identified and filled.
Number of centres
418
Labour believes that Heartland Service Centres and Outreach Services have become the backbone of Government service provision in many rural areas and this must continue. But there are anecdotal reports of gaps in service provision. We will continue to make access to social services easier and more convenient for people in rural areas. Labour will review existing Heartland Service Centres and Heartland Outreach Services in rural communities and strengthen services where gaps are identified. This may involve the establishment of further Service Centres, increased provision by mobile Outreach Services and greater use of information communications technology. Social services in rural areas will also benefit from our investment in rural broadband and infrastructure. Recently Labour announced our commitment of $75 million for rural projects aimed at extending the reach of broadband. Being able to use the full potential of broadband should assist those in farming and other rural businesses in ways such as allowing them to use internet banking and file IRD returns electronically saving both time and money.
Two Teachers at Every Rural School

Under current staffing rules a small number of rural schools are only entitled to a single teacher. Currently additional 0.3 FTE staffing assistance is provided to these schools to assist with the administrative and supervisory roles. Labour recognises there are educational benefits for teachers not to be working without peer support and will therefore adjust the staffing rules to ensure that schools have a minimum of two teaching staff. Labour will adjust the staffing rules to ensure that all schools have a minimum of two teaching staff. There are currently 98 rural schools in New Zealand with less than 2 full time equivalent teaching positions. By boosting the minimum number of teaching staff for these rural schools, we will address: Health and safety issues where a sole charge teacher is involved with a particular incident or required task (meaning all children are not supervised); Difficulties rural teachers face in securing time for professional development; A lack of collegial support for rural teachers; 419
The burden sole charge teachers face with school administrative duties; Difficulties in sourcing a 0.3 FTE position in some rural areas.
Safe and sustainable water supplies

Safe water supplies are a basic necessity for communities. Labour has worked hard in Government to ensure all New Zealanders have access to a safe and sustainable water supply. We realise that for many small rural communities, this can be difficult. Since 1999 we have implemented a number of innovative schemes to support communities who need to upgrade their water or wastewater treatment systems. It is Labours goal to continue this partnership with communities to improve access to a safe and sustainable water supply. Labour will continue to work in partnership with communities to protect our water resources and ensure they are safe and sustainable. Where communities only have access to sub-standard supplies or treatment systems, Labour believes they should be given the support to move to safer and more sustainable drinking water supplies and sewerage treatment systems. We will continue our record of working with rural communities to ensure that they have access to safe drinking water and sewerage treatment, and better utilisation of water resources. We will achieve this in four ways: Continuation of subsidy schemes; Targeted assistance to smaller and poorer communities; Further use of on-farm water storage; and Working with rural industries to improve water management practices.
Labour has set up a variety of water support and subsidy schemes in the last nine years. We have established the Technical Assistance Programme and Capital Assistance Programme to provide small communities with technical support and funding for water treatment and storage plants and the installation or upgrade of reticulation schemes. We also established the Sanitary Works Subsidy Scheme to help small and medium sized communities to upgrade or build new sewerage treatment systems. Over 170,000 rural New Zealanders are set to benefit from our Sanitary Works Subsidy Scheme, and over 40,000 will have safer drinking water through the Capital Assistance Programme. Strong Proven Leadership 420
We implemented the Tourism Demand Subsidy Scheme, which ran through to 2007, for small communities to fund water and wastewater infrastructure needed to maximise benefits from New Zealands tourism sector. We also established funding for the period 2005-2016 through the Drinking Water Subsidy Fund to help improve drinking water in New Zealand communities. This fund assists councils and other water suppliers with technical advice and direct capital assistance for upgrading water systems. Labour will continue subsidy schemes for rural and community waste water treatment facilities and drinking water supplies. In particular, as part of our December economic package, we will look at binging forward investment through the Sanitary Works Subsidy Scheme. A total of $133 million was initially allocated to this programme over 10 years and was targeted to those communities with deprivation index ratings of five and above. An additional $40 million was provided in Budget 2008, but there are still a number of worthy outstanding projects. Unlike some other infrastructure sectors, the water and sewerage infrastructure sector is largely unaffected by capacity constraints and, with the help of this Scheme, has an established workforce of highly specialised wastewater engineers able to continue work on regional projects, should additional funding be made available. Indeed, the provision of funding for the Scheme in 2002 served as a catalyst for skills development in this area, and led to an increase in specialisation in wastewater engineering. Labour will look at bringing forward current spending on the Sanitary Works Subsidy Scheme as part of the economic stimulus package to be presented to Parliament in December. It is estimated that of the unfunded applications received to date, approximately 10 per cent to 20 per cent could be progressed immediately. These might include: Community/Council Whangarei Heads (Whangarei DC) Huapai (Rodney DC) Brunswick/Rotokawa (Rotorua DC) Okareka (Rotorua DC) Muriwai (Rodney DC) Eltham (South Taranaki DC) Parua Bay (Whangarei DC) Dannevirke (Tararua DC) Oakura (New Plymouth DC) Strong Proven Leadership Potential Subsidy $M 8.95 7.33 6.22 5.18 4.09 3.53 1.09 1.0 4.44 421
It is costly to provide quality water supply in rural areas because schemes lack economies of scale. Councils serving small or rural communities are expected to comply by 1 July 2013 with higher quality standards for the water they supply. Some councils may fail to meet the target without assistance from central government. Labour will provide targeted assistance to smaller and poorer communities, including those in rural areas, to meet the costs of providing quality water supplies. Further development and more appropriate use of on-farm water storage is integral to the success of New Zealands primary production and rural communities. In some areas, publicly-sourced water (from district councils) has historically been a relatively cheap commodity for many farmers, offering little incentive to move to onfarm storage or invest in infrastructure to utilise water resources. Labour believes that on-farm and community storage dams and gravity springs, where appropriate, can offer more sustainable and efficient water resources to many farmers. Given the impact of droughts and water shortages in recent years, and the future pressures on water supplies from economic growth and climate change, it is our goal that on-farm dams and gravity springs be utilised to a greater degree. Labour will promote and encourage further use of on-farm water storage such as dams and gravity springs. We will continue the Community Irrigation Fund to enable the promoters of community storage and irrigation schemes to generate investor and community support. We will work closely with communities, through the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministers of Rural Affairs and Agriculture, to encourage and educate farmers and rural communities about on-farm and community water storage. We will investigate avenues to assist farmers and communities to invest in the necessary infrastructure. Labour will work with rural industries to improve water management practices. New Zealands ability to grow and sell produce is heavily reliant on a safe and sustainable supply of water. Labour recognises that agricultural production places pressure on this supply; this issue is of particular importance given the recent boom in dairy production. Labours vision is for a clean and green New Zealand, where freshwater supplies are not adversely affected by agricultural production. We will continue to work closely with rural and agricultural industries to ensure that our freshwater supplies are in the best possible health.
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We will continue to closely monitor the Clean Streams Accord and will investigate other regulatory and enforcement options if it is shown that the Accord is not meeting its goals.
Small Scale Renewable Electricity Generation

Electricity is vital to the functioning of any house, workplace or community. Labour understands that rural communities face specific difficulties in terms of electricity prices due to their isolation and distributors cost at maintaining infrastructure. Because of the high cost in maintaining supply to the most isolated areas, it is sometimes not economic for a distributor to do so. In our view, distributors have a responsibility to ensure that those people currently on the grid have their supply maintained. Labour will ensure that the obligation for suppliers and distributors to continue supply to customers under section 62 of the Electricity Act, does not end on its original expiry date of 2013. We will ensure that the obligation will be an enduring one with no end date, and we have introduced a Electricity (Continuance of Supply) Amendment Bill to ensure this. We recognise that for some customers and communities it may make little sense to remain on the grid, and that local sources of generation are more appropriate. In some situations, it is cheaper to build these sources than to maintain existing electricity lines. The bill that would ensure security of supply after 2013 also allows those remote communities to agree with lines companies to build local generation instead. This cannot be forced on the local community, and will happen only where the community (normally with a subsidy from the lines company) agrees to the new alternative arrangement. Labour will promote small scale renewable electricity generation for rural and isolated locations. Labour will work in partnership with rural communities, distributors and generators to identify and promote opportunities for localised alternative sources of generation, and the Electricity (Continuance of Supply) Amendment Bill promotes this. We will also investigate other opportunities to support investment in renewable generation that is not connected to the main distribution network.
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Ensuring Success for Every Child
Labours policy for Schools
2008
426
Introduction
Labour has always believed in the power of education to transform lives. The enlightened values of the very first Labour government, that every person, rich or poor, has the right to an education that enables them to fulfil their potential and that it is the role of the government to ensure sufficient focus and investment to make this possible, still drive our education policies today. Universal access to free, quality, public education is a fundamental Labour value. The most important resources we can provide to schools are highly trained, effective teachers. Labour has prioritised improving teacher pay and professional development, upgrading school buildings, updating school assessment and curricula and other learning tools. The success of New Zealands public education system is reflected in the achievements of our students. Our schools are amongst the best in the world. The challenge for our compulsory school system now is to build on these successes so that students at all levels are provided with modern, relevant and personalised learning that provides the tools they will need to succeed in the 21st century.
A Quality Teaching Profession

International studies show what parents already know that quality teachers in the classroom are our most important education resource. Inspiring young minds to learn, and tailoring teaching to the individual needs of each pupil, are the cornerstones of the New Zealand education system. The days of learning by rote are long gone. Today, teachers bring classrooms to life through a new school curriculum that links learning to everyday concepts. The key to further improvement in educational attainment is to increase the number of teachers in the classroom and make sure those teachers employ the modern teaching methods research tells us have the greatest impact. Funding now allows schools to employ around 6,000 additional teachers, reducing class sizes. Teachers pay has risen nearly 40 per cent over the last decade and better opportunities for professional development are helping attract bright graduates to a career in teaching while also helping retain experienced teachers. Ten years ago teachers were demoralised by industrial strife and the battle over bulk funding. Today funding allows for the more than 6,000 additional teachers in classrooms, and teachers are paid fairly for the vital work they do in preparing our young people to succeed in the 21st century. Ten years from now all schools will be sufficiently staffed by excellent teachers to deliver a personalised learning plan to students that develops their interests and aptitude. Strong Proven Leadership 427
Labour can be trusted to address the challenges ahead for the teaching profession. A large number of teachers will begin to retire shortly. In order to ensure schools are able to employ suitably qualified teaching staff, we need to ensure entry standards into teacher training are robust and we need to provide better support in schools for beginning teachers. Labour will ensure schools are properly supported to take on beginning teachers. Ensuring teacher pay and conditions remain competitive is an important way to not only encourage graduates to begin a teaching career but to also retain experienced staff in the profession. The New Zealand Teachers Council also has an important leadership role in setting professional standards for teachers. Labour will support the New Zealand Teachers Council to take a leadership role in setting professional standards for teachers. The full implementation of the New Zealand Curriculum in 2010, and the implementation of Te Marautanga (the curriculum for Maori medium education) in 2011, is an exciting development in our schools. Investment in curriculum resources will be vital for the success of this major education initiative, as will ensuring that unit standards assessed under the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) fit with the new curricula and ongoing professional development. Labour will support teachers, schools and kura kaupapa Maori to successfully introduce the New Zealand curriculum and Te Marautanga. As learning becomes increasingly personalised to the individual needs of each student, teachers will need to more regularly draw on professional support and the latest research on what motivates children to learn. Now that programmes such as Te Kotahitanga, which help teachers to better respond to the needs of Maori students, and the Kiwi Leadership for Principals framework have demonstrated their effectiveness, our challenge is to support more teachers to use these programmes to refresh their teaching practice. Labour will expand professional development and paid sabbatical opportunities for teachers. Personalising learning fits well with our strategies to lift the overall educational achievement of Maori and Pasifika students. This year we launched Ka Hikitia-Managing for Success, a strategy that aims to improve teacher, student relationships, as well as enhance the participation and achievement rates of rangatahi at school. Strong Proven Leadership 428
Labour will continue to ensure the successful implementation of Ka Hikitia (the Mori education strategy), and support professional development programmes such as Te Kotahitanga and other educational programmes that support a more personalised, community-orientated approach to the education of our tamariki. We also need to work with Pacific families and communities as part of our plan to raise overall educational achievement. We will also encourage more Pacific peoples into teaching, while focusing on improving the capability of non-Pacific teachers to work effectively with Pacific students in the classroom. Labour will encourage greater Pacific participation, retention and achievement at all levels of the education system. Personalising learning also means actively supporting children and young people who do not fit within the stereotypical norm. Gifted and talented students and pupils with dyslexia, for example, need the support of teachers trained to recognise and teach to their strengths, backed by quality professional development with curriculum support based on research about what works. At present funding for this is provided on an application basis and for a fixed period of time. We intend to move the existing funding for organisations that deliver classroom and teacher development programmes for groups like gifted and talented students and pupils with dyslexia onto a more sustainable basis. This will help to spread best practice and develop centres of expertise for schools to draw on. Labour will develop a more sustainable funding approach for organisations working to assist teachers to effectively support pupils with specific learning needs. To enable principals to focus more on their role as educational leaders within schools, there is a need for additional support for administrative tasks. Labour will ensure schools can get help with administration tasks so that principals can focus more on students and on providing educational leadership in schools. Teaching has always been a valued profession worldwide. New Zealand-trained teachers are prize recruits in many parts of the English-speaking world, just as our schools attract staff trained in other countries. Kiwi-trained teachers who have worked overseas bring valuable educational experience when they return home. Better recognition of overseas experience and opportunities to keep up-to-date with developments in teaching and learning practice in New Zealand will help to attract more quality Kiwi teachers back home. Our curriculum supports individualised, student-focused teaching practices. In some cases, schools may not be employing foreign-trained teachers now living in New Strong Proven Leadership 429
Zealand because of concerns they have would difficulty teaching in this country. Many of them, however, could take up positions in our schools after some professional development. Labour will develop a bonded bridging development programme to assist foreign-trained teachers to gain registration and employment in New Zealand.
Schools Plus
New Zealands school system continues to perform at the highest level. International studies such as the Programme for International Student Assessment show our students are performing near the top of OECD countries, ahead of countries such as Australia, Canada and the United States. For example, in the 2006 science literacy results, only students from Finland and Hong Kong were performing at a higher level than New Zealand students. Student achievement has been steadily improving. In 2007, eight out of ten school leavers achieved at least NCEA Level 1 (a 22 per cent increase from 2002 when NCEA was introduced), and two-thirds of school leavers achieved at least NCEA Level 2 (a 36 per cent increase from 2002). Our new school curriculum will enable teachers to enliven their teaching practice, drawing on real-world examples to better engage students to learn about the values and core skills needed to be successful in the 21st century. At the same time, new study options such as Gateway and Modern Apprenticeships are providing more choices for young people to continue learning while gaining valuable workplace experience that will lay the foundation for a career in the trades. We know that young people who stay in school, complete their qualifications, and move into further education and training have the best chance of accessing the full range of opportunities life has to offer. They are more likely to be able to care for themselves and their families, and achieve future economic independence and security. Labour will implement Schools Plus, our initiative to significantly reform our secondary school system by offering all young New Zealanders a stronger educational foundation. To ensure all young people are engaged and supported to achieve their potential through education, students and their families will develop a personalised learning plan to guide their learning. Labour will require a personalised education plan to be developed for every high school student to guide their learning. Strong Proven Leadership 430
To support a personalised approach to learning, more teachers and support staff and improved careers guidance services will be needed in schools. Closer links will need to be built with local businesses, training providers and social agencies. Labour will provide more secondary teachers and other staff to improve careers guidance and increase the support available for young people in school and out in the community to remain engaged in learning. Innovative programmes like Youth Apprenticeships, already available in twenty schools, are the key to engaging young people who currently leave school too early. Enabling more students to experience tertiary-level courses while still at school will also broaden the range of study options available to them. Labour will make Youth Apprenticeships available to all secondary schools and increase the range of other education and training pathways available to students. Ensuring that out-of-school education providers, such as the alternative education network, prioritise students learning and achievement will keep the focus on learning irrespective of the setting in which it takes place. Labour will strengthen alternative education and other out-of-school learning options to ensure young people are supported to improve their educational achievement. Making the changes needed to successfully implement Schools Plus will take time and a careful focus on building support within the secondary schooling system. Matching investments will be needed as new course options, staff and closer links outside of school are phased in. We anticipate at least $170 million per year in additional investment will be required to fully implement Schools Plus. But we must also set goals and timelines. While the school leaving age will stay at sixteen, we have begun the process of removing the early leaving exemption for the under 16s. By 2010 all schools will be using the new New Zealand Curriculum, enabling them to provide relevant, innovative programmes which meet their students needs. Labour will introduce an education and training leaving age of 17 years in 2011 and 18 years in 2014. Phasing in the education and training leaving age in this way will give schools time to develop the variety of programmes and options needed to engage the whole range of young people.
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School Funding
Schools want to be able to deliver the very best education they can. Labour has substantially increased school operational funding over the last decade, even after accounting for inflation. Targeted funding has also been made available for schools electing to undertake school improvement programmes and other projects such as specialised professional development (for example, making the best use of computers in the classroom). The environment in which learning takes place is also crucial. Funding for school property has been a major focus. Twenty-four new schools, 22 new Kura Kaupapa Maori schools, and over 1,500 new classrooms have been built, and large capital works projects have be undertaken at many existing schools. But the focus on improving educational outcomes means schools will require new resources. In addition to the significant funding that Labour will provide to successfully implement Schools Plus in secondary schools, we know there are other pressing issues that it is important for the government to prioritise. Labour is committed to helping schools meet the demands that parents and the community place on them to deliver a quality education to every child. We know school funding is an investment for the benefit of our children and for the long term benefit of New Zealands society and economy. Labour will continue to increase operational grants for all state and state-integrated schools. We have recently reviewed the funding allocated to schools. Work with schools has identified the cost of buying, upgrading and maintaining information and communications technology as a particular pressure point for schools. Computeraided learning has significant potential to revolutionise education and Labour wants to see computer and interactive learning technology in every classroom. Labour will enable schools to use their five-year property agreements to invest in computer and interactive learning technology. Under current staffing rules a small number of rural schools are only entitled to a single teacher. Currently additional 0.3 FTE staffing assistance is provided to these schools to assist with the administrative and supervisory roles. Labour recognises there are educational benefits for teachers not to be working without peer support and will therefore adjust the staffing rules to ensure that schools have a minimum of two teaching staff. Labour will adjust the staffing rules to ensure that all schools have a minimum of two teaching staff. The small army of staff that work alongside teachers in the classroom are essential in making our schools function effectively: people such as school secretaries, teacher Strong Proven Leadership 432
aides, cleaners, librarians and caretakers. Yet many are paid the minimum wage, making it difficult for schools to recruit and retain these staff as they seek higher pay in other sectors. In the health sector, Labour has already shown it is prepared to take a lead in addressing low pay where the government is the major employer. It is time to do this for school support staff as well. Labour will address low pay issues for the non-teaching workforce in schools.
Special Education
Early childhood education services and schools work to support children and young people with special education needs. Around 10 per cent of school-aged children face barriers to full participation in education. Funding to support these students has increased over the last decade. The range of targeted support for particular special education needs has been expanded and the number of young people able to be assisted has been increased. Support for specific groups of students has also been introduced, for example for those on the autistic spectrum. Staffing resources have been improved for students who are vision impaired and blind. Special Education Services was merged with the Ministry of Education to reduce fragmentation of services and better support students with special needs to achieve their potential, irrespective of the educational setting in which they enrolled. Focus has also shifted to early intervention, with hearing screening for newborns and B4 School Checks for children aged over 4 years old to help identify and address any impairment to learning as early as possible. The goal of Special Education 2000 was to develop a world class inclusive education system for New Zealand. Nearly a decade on, we have made significant progress but there is still more to do. In particular, with more children with special needs enrolling at their local school, the current system is struggling to adequately support all those who need assistance. Labour will address this with a series of connected changes. We believe improvements can be delivered by investing more in specific-purpose funds which support students with moderate needs who at present are not deemed eligible for Ongoing and Renewable Resourcing Schemes (ORRS) support but whose needs are not being adequately addressed by supplementary assistance. In addition, our investment of increased funding to enable early intervention in a childs life will significantly improve educational outcomes. A special education grant is also paid to all schools as part of the annual operations grant. This recognises that many students with moderate needs benefit from learning assistance and enables schools to invest in services they believe will impact positively on learning. Parents therefore have the right to expect all schools to provide a core Strong Proven Leadership 433
special education service, supplemented by centrally-funded and targeted support for those children with moderate to high special needs. Schools do however face difficulties supporting students with moderate special needs because of issues such as teacher expertise and experience, available funding and the availability of specialist expertise. Some schools successfully pool their resources enabling them to deliver a more comprehensive package of support. Just as schools working together is one of the principles of our Schools Plus initiative, Labour believes greater clustering of schools could significantly improve special education services and help spread effective teaching practice more widely. Funding and access to specialist expertise would then be available for all schools in the cluster to improve support services provided to students. Labour will strengthen special education support by investing resources in special education funds for children with moderate to high needs, working with schools to ensure effective and accountable use of the special education grant, and supporting the development of special education clusters to improve services to students with moderate needs. Teacher aides are an important part of the overall team assisting students with special needs. They are often paid the minimum wage despite their important work contributing to students learning success. Labour has already shown it is prepared to take a lead in addressing low pay in other sectors where the government is the major employer. It is time to fairly reward teacher aides as well. As part of its commitment to address low pay issues for the non-teaching workforce, Labour will address low pay issues for the teaching support workforce in schools.
Safe Learning Environments

Young people need to feel safe and secure at school if they are to achieve their potential. Schools are receiving more support to manage difficult students and to promote safe schools. As well, the Education Review Office now pays closer attention to the strategies schools employ to combat bullying and harassment. Labour intends to embed these developments in schools for the benefit of students, teachers and the wider community. Schools serve more diverse students these days and Labour accepts that schools need better guidance on how to keep all students safe. Labour will provide guidelines, resources and best-practice examples for schools on combating bullying. Schools are reporting that disruptive behaviour in the classroom and in the playground is on the rise. We have already provided schools with support to deal with this through programmes like Student Engagement Initiative, which helps schools to Strong Proven Leadership 434
address truancy rates, suspensions, exclusions, and early leaving exemptions, and the 'Interim Response Fund', which gives principals access to emergency funding to manage critical behaviour cases. We intend to build on this. Labour will provide schools with additional resources to effectively manage disruptive behaviour. Students at many schools have set up peer support groups as a way of promoting respect and offering support. Labour will support the development of school-based peer support groups.
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Building Innovation
Labours policy for Science and Innovation
2008
438
Introduction
Labour believes that good science lies at the heart of a modern society and a modern economy. Good science and innovative technology contribute to increased economic productivity, better health, a greater understanding of our environment and society and the advancement of scholarship and human knowledge. Over the past nine years, the profile of research, science and technology in New Zealand has risen significantly. It is debated more, it is valued more and it has delivered more. Labour believes we must ensure New Zealand science is not only world class in terms of the excellence of our researchers, but world class in terms of stability of funding. Over the next three years the pace of change in research, science and technology will quicken markedly. Recent policy changes and new policies to be implemented postelection will combine to produce a further step-change in this area.
Science and Innovation Funding

In the last decade Research, Science and Technology funding has increased by 90 percent. Labour has funded strong growth in basic sciences through the Marsden Fund (which has increased by 86 percent), Health Research (which increased by 130 percent) and the New Economy Research Fund. In addition, Labour established the Pre Seed Accelerator Fund, the Equity Investment Fund, the Seed Capital Investment Fund and the Venture Investment Fund, all designed to accelerate the commercial development of the fruits of research. Business incubators were established for the same reason. Although improving, New Zealands investment in research, science and technology is still well below the western world average. Specifically, public sector investment is at about 75 percent of the western world average, and private sector investment is at about 33 percent of the western world average (up from 25 percent nine years ago). In the private sector, policies we have already announced are likely to raise private sector R&D investment to about 69 percent of the western world average by 2011/12. In the public sector, funding we have already announced is likely to raise public investment to around 83 percent of the western world average by 2011/12. Labour will seek to improve that figure. Labour will in the next 3 budgets increase funding for the Marsden Fund, Health Research, and new Transformational R&D (including new materials) Strong Proven Leadership 439
as well as renewable energy research, social research and funding to address the needs of researchers early in their careers. Three factors will drive this increase in R&D over the next three years.

A growing research and development workforce; New Zealand: Fast Forward; and The 15 percent R&D tax credit
A growing research and development workforce

In the last decade, and particularly in the past three years, the number of students undertaking doctoral study has almost doubled. The total research and development workforce increased from 9,500 to 16,500 in the 10 years to 2006. Labour has introduced a range of new fellowships and scholarships, and significantly expanded others including doubling the number of Fulbright Scholarships. In addition, Labour has established the Centres of Research Excellence and the Performance Based Research Fund ($236 million a year) for University-based research.
New Zealand: Fast Forward

Labour has created the New Zealand: Fast Forward Fund of $700m, to be matched by private funding from the food and pastoral sectors to create a substantial step forward in research and development, ranging from basic environmental research to precommercial development over the next 10-15 years. This is easily the largest single investment in R&D in New Zealands history. Labour will commit to retaining the New Zealand: Fast Forward fund. New Zealand: Fast Forward is likely to deliver major change over the 10-15 years during which programmes will run in the following areas:
Basic Environmental research into the pastoral sector to reduce the environmental effects of climate change gases (50 percent of which come from our pastoral sector) including improvements in water quality and reduced chemical use; Advanced food research and development to create new food products, food ingredients, functional foods, nutriceuticals and the like;
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Attention to various workforce and skills gaps that exist or are emerging in our economy throughout the value chain, perhaps with early concentration on food technologists and food engineers; Growing globally-competitive firms in New Zealand that enjoy a degree of influence in many markets comparable to the likes of Fonterra, Zespri, PGG Wrightson or Sealords.
The 15 percent R&D tax credit

Private sector investment in R&D is, by international standards, low. Earlier this year the 15 percent tax credit was introduced. It has a relatively simple design, is applicable to all qualifying R&D expended by the private sector and is available even to loss-making start-up companies which are not yet paying tax. Economic modelling confirms it will result in a large increase in private sector investment in R&D, some of which will be undertaken by public sector institutions. Labour will commit to retaining the 15 percent R&D tax credit. The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has calculated the forgone revenue from the tax credit at $330 million per annum in 2011/2012. This means that reported R&D activity in the private sector will double over the next three years (It needs to acknowledged, however, that some of that reported increase will reflect underreporting of R&D activity by some firms in past). A relatively high proportion of privately-funded R&D is carried out in our Crown Research Institutes and in our universities. Their contract research activity will therefore rise significantly.
Contestability and Stability - Getting the Balance Right

Contestability and Stability are both valuable. The former allows a researchers proposal to be peer-reviewed so that new researchers succeed and new areas of research gain funding. The latter allows for long-term research certainty, for science capability to be maintained, for strategically important research to be reliably undertaken and the time needed to prepare funding bids reduced. New Zealand has historically overvalued contestability and undervalued stability. In the last decade, Labour introduced a more stable funding environment to better Strong Proven Leadership 441
balance the benefits of stability and the benefits of contestability, including negotiated funding, capability funding and backbone funding. Labour will ensure about one third of Vote: RS&T will be noncontestable three years from now. Non-contestable funding will either be negotiated, or, in the case of the backbone funding or capability funding, will be paid as of right. Negotiated funding will be available to all-comers, but is likely to be predominantly secured by the Crown Research Institutes and by universities. The current split in public sector research, science and technology investment is approximately 40 percent basic research, 40 percent strategic research and 20 percent pre-commercial development. This is likely to shift towards basic research to balance the expected increases in private sector investment at the other end of the spectrum.
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Valuing and Supporting the Contribution of Older New Zealanders
Labours policy for Senior Citizens
2008
444
Introduction
Labour recognises the contribution older New Zealanders make to our country. Over the last nine years, we have been committed to providing security and certainty for our older citizens. We value the skills, knowledge and experience older people contribute to their families and communities. In the coming decades, the proportion of older people in the population will increase and Labour believes they will have an increasingly important role to play in our society. The population aged 65 years and over in New Zealand is currently around half a million, increasing from 282,000 in 1977. Over this 30 year period, older people as a proportion of New Zealands total population increased from 9 percent to 12.6 percent. Statistics New Zealands projections indicate that the older population will continue to grow, and will reach over a million by 2028. In 2001 we launched the New Zealand Positive Ageing Strategy to reinforce our commitment to promoting the value of participation by older people in communities. The aim was to improve opportunities for older people to participate in ways that they choose. This is being achieved by identifying barriers to the involvement of older people in as wide a range of activities as possible and working to address these. The Positive Ageing Strategy provides a framework within which all Labour policy that affects older people can be commonly understood and developed.
Financial security for older New Zealanders

Every New Zealander has the right to a decent, publicly-provided pension at the age of 65. By running government surpluses in good times and continuing to build the New Zealand Superannuation Fund, we can ensure the continued provision of universal Superannuation and prepared New Zealand for an increasingly ageing population.
NZ Super Growth Under Labour vs. Average Wage Growth
Under Labour Average Wage
In 1998 under the last National government, New Zealand Superannuation was cut back to 60 percent of the average wage. In the last decade, this has been restored back to 65 percent and then increased to 66 percent. New Zealand Superannuation has been adjusted annually for inflation and against the average ordinary wage.
40%
35%
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Growth since 1999
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0% 1999 -5% 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
Community Services Card and Disability levels have also been adjusted every year so that no-one loses this entitlement because of an increase in Super. Older New Zealanders play a crucial role in supporting the development of our families. Grandparents who have taken on full-time care of grandchildren in cases of Strong Proven Leadership 445
family breakdown now receive increased support, with the alignment of the Unsupported Childs Benefit and Orphans Benefit with the Foster Care Allowance weekly board rates. Ten years ago Superannuation was frozen in real terms. In October 1998 the National government set out a plan to let Super fall as a proportion of the average wage until it hit just 60 percent. In April 1999, the rate payable to a married couple fell to 62.66 percent of the average wage. Today Superannuation for a married couple is 66.48 percent of the average wage. Ten years from now Superannuitants will continue to receive financial security through the annual adjustment of NZ Superannuation.
Labour will continue to adjust NZ Superannuation to ensure that the rate for a married couple is equivalent to at least 66 percent of net average ordinary time weekly earnings. We are also absolutely committed to maintaining the age of eligibility at 65 years. We will continue to ensure older New Zealanders have financial security and their rights are protected. We will continue to support older New Zealanders who care for their grandchildren and ensure they receive similar support to other carers.
Health and Wellbeing of Older New Zealanders

Good health is critical to the wellbeing of older people. Without good health, older people are less able to enjoy their lives to the fullest, their options are limited and their general levels of contentment and happiness are likely to be reduced. Labours goals for the health and wellbeing of older New Zealanders are set out in the Health of Older People Strategy published in 2002. Our vision is that older people will be able to fully participate in decisions about their health and wellbeing and in family, whanau and community life. We want to ensure they are supported by coordinated and responsive health and disability support programmes. Labour has worked hard to improve the affordability, accessibility and quality of health services for older New Zealanders. We have introduced primary healthcare subsidies so that everyone is able to get cheaper doctors visits and cheaper prescription medicines. A million Kiwis now pay no more than $16 to see a GP and the cost of most prescription medicines has been cut to no more than $3. Although on average older New Zealanders are enjoying better health for longer, it remains important to appropriately support those with disabilities. Technological and medical advances have enabled many people with disabilities to live longer. The suitability of housing and the ability of people with disabilities to remain living Strong Proven Leadership 446
successfully in the community will be dependent on the availability of formal and informal care. Labour has committed to the progressive removal of asset testing for older people in long-stay residential care. We have increased the asset threshold (the level at which the value of assets needs to be equal to or below) from $15,000 for singles and $30,000 for couples to $180,000. This means older people retain more of their assets and still qualify for a government subsidy to help meet the cost of their care. Labour will continue the progressive removal of asset testing for older people in long-stay residential care by increasing the asset thresholds by $10,000 on 1 July of each year. Labour is committed to ensuring that older people have access to high quality aged care facilities and the highest possible standard of health care. We want more transparent processes so individuals and families have access to good quality information about rest home services. Labour will ensure that the results of audits of aged care facilities are made publicly available, in much the same way that the Education Review Offices school audits are. We know that low pay and high staff turnover are a major workforce issue in aged care. We will establish a Ministerial Aged Care Residential Working Group to look at workforce development through a five year plan. We also want to see wages rise in the sector, which is why we recently announced an immediate $5 million injection into the sector to increase pay rates. Labour will strengthen aged care workforce development and regulation by reviewing staffing and funding guidelines including consideration of specified minimum staffing levels. We will develop regulations to underpin new staffing requirements. We will investigate the introduction of aged care qualifications so that workers in the sector have greater career progression possibilities and can offer more effective services. Labour will implement a comprehensive workforce development programme for all those working in the aged care sector including carers, home support workers and nurses at all levels. We recently announced a $4 million investment to upskill staff in the sector to level 2 and 3 qualifications, and another $4 million investment by District Health Boards for workforce development.
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All health consumers have the right to make a complaint about the services they receive, and older New Zealanders in rest homes or other forms of care are no different. Labour will ensure the availability of robust and effective complaints processes. We will investigate ways to strengthen complaints processes, to provide more information on how to make a complaint and make the complaints process more accessible. Labour will ensure that prevention of elder abuse and neglect guidelines are included in all District Health Board contract specifications for elder care providers. Older people in care are some of the most vulnerable New Zealanders, and it is an unfortunate fact that abuse and neglect do sometimes occur. We will strengthen providers accountability by ensuring there are robust abuse and neglect guidelines in all District Health Board contract specifications for eldercare providers. Labour will enhance the awareness of green prescriptions for older people. A Green Prescription is a health professional's written advice on physical activity, as part of the patient's overall health management. It's a smart and cost-effective way to help and support older people to stay healthy and improve their quality of life. With our aim of progressively reducing fees for older people to visit their doctor, older people will visit their GPs more frequently. Labour believes there is a place for regular wellness checks, administered by nurses, to complement older peoples visits to their GP. Labour will investigate the introduction of nurse-led wellness checks in primary care for older people.
Independent living in a secure, safe and warm home

Even later in life, most older New Zealanders live in their own homes. Labour is committed to helping them to remain there for as long as possible. Labour will continue to offer solutions that ensure older New Zealanders have homes that meet their needs, whether it is home ownership, rental housing for people on fixed incomes, or community-based housing. We have restored income-related rents for state housing so that qualifying lowincome tenants pay no more than 25 per cent of their income in rent. On introducing Strong Proven Leadership 448
income-related rents in 2000, 85 percent of state housing tenants saved between $20 and $80 a week. Most older New Zealanders own their own home, the vast majority without a mortgage. Seventy-five percent of older New Zealanders aged 65 years and over, and 70 percent those aged 85 years and over, own their own home. For many, their home is the only major asset they have accumulated over their lifetime. The Rates Rebate Scheme provides a subsidy to low income home owners for rates. Labour increased the rates rebate thresholds, making more people than ever before eligible. As of 1 July 2008, the maximum rebate has increased to $530 and the income abatement threshold from $20,000 to $21,180. These changes reflect the movement in the Consumers Price Index (CPI). The adjustment to allow for the CPI will occur annually and have the effect of inflation-proofing the Rates Rebate Scheme. Labour is committed to protecting the rights of older New Zealanders. The release of several new home equity release products into the New Zealand market has raised issues about standards and practices associated with reverse mortgages and the like. We recently launched a Code of Practice to enable older people to access these schemes with the confidence that there are appropriate checks and balances in place. We have also protected the interests of residents and intending residents of retirement villages through the Retirement Villages Act 2003. Labour will enshrine the Code of Practice for Home Equity Release Schemes into law. We will ensure better protection and information is available to prevent exploitation and inequities, while ensuring the Code is consistent with other Financial Advisors legislation. We have offered funding to organisations providing community-based housing to assist with installing floor and ceiling insulation and efficient shower heads, hot water cylinder wrapping, draught proofing of doors. These home makeovers are available to the whole community, with priority given to older people and people with health problems such as asthma and other chronic respiratory conditions. Called Retrofitting, this service is free to Community Service Card holders. Labour believes it is important that older New Zealanders have the choice of remaining in their own home. Home-based support plays a vital role in helping older people maintain their independence. Labour will recognise the importance of allowing older people to remain in their own homes by continuing to expand the provision of home-based support. We realise that independence is important for older people who remain in their own homes but we also realise this can sometimes make them vulnerable, especially if Strong Proven Leadership 449
they have a chronic health condition. It is our goal that older New Zealanders who remain in their own homes are able to contact emergency services as soon as possible should they suffer an accident or medical emergency. Labour will investigate ways to increase the availability of fully subsidised personal alarms for older people living in their own homes. As New Zealand renews and expands its housing stock, we also need to take account of our ageing population, with more people living longer into an active retirement. We need to future-proof our houses so that residences remain liveable and accessible for people throughout their lives. Labour will encourage, where reasonably possible, the design and construction of residences to ensure that a higher proportion of the housing stock is suitable to meet the needs of people of all abilities including the elderly. We will promote the design of homes suitable for people of different abilities so that older people can remain in their own home for longer. We will promote this type of housing through state housing, central government partnerships with local authorities and private/community housing providers. Labour will prioritise retrofitting of home insulation, double-glazing, damp-proofing and adequate affordable heating for older New Zealanders.
Positive ageing - community participation and support

Labour is committed to ensuring that older New Zealanders are able to maintain active fulfilling lives and participate fully in our communities - making our New Zealand Positive Ageing Strategy mean more than just words. This includes increasing opportunities for personal growth, friendship and community participation. Mobility is an important factor in enabling older people to remain healthy, socially connected and active. We know the ability to carry on driving enables older people to remain independent. That is why we removed mandatory on-road driving tests for older drivers as long as their doctor remains confident in their ability to drive safely. Labour will continue to make free off-peak travel on public transport available to older New Zealanders nationwide through the SuperGold Card. The SuperGold Card recognises the contribution senior citizens and veterans have made, and continue to make, to their communities and New Zealand as a whole. The Card gives seniors access to discounts on a wide range of goods and services from SuperGold Card business partners, as well as easy access to central and local government entitlements, services and concessions. Strong Proven Leadership 450
It is available to all New Zealand residents aged 65 years or older, and to those aged under 65 who receive New Zealand Superannuation or a Veterans Pension. There are currently about 530,000 SuperGold Card holders. Since the launch of the Card the number and range of participating companies and discounts available to cardholders continues to grow significantly. As at 30 September 2008 there were 953 business partners representing 4,949 outlets nationwide. And since October 2008, free off-peak travel on public transport is now available to SuperGold cardholders across the country. Labour will continue to promote and seek to expand the range of concessions available through the SuperGold Card. We have also worked to get older people more mobile with the Total Mobility Scheme that provides a subsidised taxi service to people with serious mobility constraints by way of taxi vouchers that provide a discount of (usually) 50 percent off the normal taxi fare. The scheme also provides funding assistance for the purchase and installation of wheelchair hoists in taxi vans. A recent funding boost has allowed 60 percent more people to make use of the scheme. Thats 69,000 people over three years. Labour will continue to implement the recommendations from the review of the Total Mobility Scheme which provides subsidies taxi services to people with serious mobility constraints and funding assistance for the purchase and installation of wheelchair hoists in taxi vans. The review showed that because there are significant regional variations in the way the Scheme is being operated, inequalities have arisen regarding eligibility and entitlement. Other concerns raised relate to the Scheme being restricted to areas with access to buses, trains and ferries, along with issues relating to administration and transport providers. Labour will identify options to improve the adequacy, consistency, portability, sustainability, and coverage of the Scheme. Keeping older people safe from abuse and neglect requires ongoing action. Only half of the elder abuse cases Age Concern deals with are referred to the police. Many victims are reluctant to lay criminal charges against family members and caregivers. Labour recognises that elder abuse and neglect is a destructive and all too often hidden problem. Thanks to the new sustainable funding initiative for community groups, our investment in services to prevent elder abuse will increase until these services are fully funded in 2012. Labour will continue to support and strengthen elder abuse and prevention programmes including physical, sexual, emotional and financial abuse. Friends and family are important to making older peoples lives active and fulfilling. In some cases they are also essential to helping older people cope with everyday living. Labour has published the New Zealand Carers Strategy and Action Plan to Strong Proven Leadership 451
address some of the issues that impact on the nearly 420,000 New Zealanders who assist friends and family members who need help with everyday living because of ill health, disability or old age. The Action Plan will help to deliver our vision for carers over the next five years so that their roles are better recognised and valued. Labour will continue to challenge the notion of older age as a time of retirement and withdrawal from society. We realise that some older people feel isolated and disconnected from their communities but we also know they have a wealth of information and experience and can play important roles in their community. Labour believes that older people should be encouraged and given the support they need to get involved in the community in ways that are suitable and comfortable for them. Labour will encourage and support older people contributing to the voluntary sector as a means of combating social isolation and building stronger and healthier communities. SAGES is a programme where older people are trained as home and life skills mentors for families and individuals in their community. Mentors provide information, encouragement, practical advice and support to families in areas such as budgeting, nutritious cooking, positive parenting and networking. Communities benefit from the knowledge and experience of older people, and older people themselves benefit from the opportunity volunteering offers them to keep connected with their communities. Labour will support and further expand the SAGES programme to cover the costs of more older volunteers.
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Supporting and investing in New Zealanders
Labours policy for Social Development
2008
454
Introduction
Labour believes social and economic development go hand in hand in building a successful New Zealand. We know that a good government has to invest in people so they can secure a job, afford a decent place to live, build a better life for their children and participate in their communities. Labour in government has transformed the way we think about social policy. The old social welfare was primarily about the passive payment of benefits. Social development is about giving people the support they need to become self- reliant. Our social development policy is about supporting New Zealanders, young and old, to develop as individuals, grow strong and resourceful families, and be part of a vibrant and cohesive community. We want all of our children to have the opportunity to reach their full potential, and participate positively in society now and in the future. We know that this can only be achieved by giving New Zealand families the support and resources they need to give their children the best start in life. We want to build families and whanau that are strong and connected with their communities, and able to support their members wellbeing, sense of identity, participation and interdependence. We value the skills, knowledge and experience older New Zealanders contribute to their families and communities. The Labour Party was built on the philosophy that the best route out of poverty is paid work. Sustainable employment is crucial to self-esteem, to achieving a good standard of living for the whole family, and to providing a foundation for the success of current and future generations. Our policies include Working for Families, Free Early Childhood Education, reducing the cost of GP visits and increases to the minimum wage. We have been driven by the belief that work should provide an adequate income and that our social assistance system should support people into work. We know there are some New Zealanders who are unable to work, either in the short or in the long term. Labour is committed to understanding and responding to peoples individual circumstances. More people receiving sickness benefits and invalids benefits are saying they would like the opportunity to participate in paid work, training or other activities. We are engaging with these individuals to help them plan for the future. We remain committed to offering those who are sick or disabled, or who have caring responsibilities, the support and services they need to live active and fulfilling lives. For a small number of vulnerable families with high needs there is a need to offer further intensive co-ordinated support. Our older people can also need additional help to ensure they are able to live with dignity and security. Labour is committed to ensuring that high-quality services are available to enable all New Zealanders to contribute to, and participate in, our country. We know that our communities, hapu
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and iwi are crucial sources for identifying those who are vulnerable and providing the necessary support. We want to build capacity in the community to do this job well. Labour believes that the community as a whole needs to care for its members. Our social development policy is designed to ensure all New Zealanders have the skills, resources, incentives and services they need to care for themselves, their families, neighbours, and communities.
Supporting New Zealanders into paid work

During this decade New Zealand has experienced a strong economy, with low unemployment, fewer children in families whose main source of income is a benefit and more families with the ability to support themselves. Working for Families was a major step forward in ensuring that families had an adequate income and clear incentives for paid employment. The in-work tax credit, together with increases to the minimum wage, means that now, work really does pay. At the same time, those moving off benefits can be confident they will continue to receive support for essential costs such as accommodation, doctors visits and childcare. Our families will continue to have more choice in balancing their paid work with family responsibilities through investment in paid parental leave, flexible working arrangements and more out-of-school services. Ten years ago over 15% of the working age population was on a benefit; those on benefits faced limited incentives and limited support to help them into work. Today that figure has dropped to around 10%. Those who are on benefits are supported to plan a pathway into work or training that is tailored to their individual circumstances. Those who are starting work will benefit from the in-work tax credit, a higher minimum wage and increased child care support. Ten years from now we will see even more people supported to participate and contribute to their community. While Labour is steadfastly committed to providing the safety net of welfare assistance for the nations most vulnerable, weve also worked to avoid trapping families in welfare dependency. Weve done this by making work pay. Labour will continue to ensure that being in work pays for those moving off benefits.
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The benefit abatement system

Working for Families has helped create full-time work incentives for families with children. With these full-time work incentives in place, there is now an opportunity for strengthening incentives for part-time work. The purpose of benefit abatement is to withdraw the benefit from people as their income increases and their ability to make ends meet by their own means improves. This helps ensure there is an incentive to move off a benefit altogether. Providing a threshold of income that may be earned before abatement begins is important in providing incentives for beneficiaries to stay connected to the labour market and also recognises that people can face additional costs (e.g. transport costs) when they enter a job. Labour will, within five years, lift the weekly earnings threshold so that beneficiaries can earn the equivalent of ten hours on the minimum wage before their benefit income starts to reduce. Any fixed level of abatement-free income runs the risk of becoming outdated and reducing work incentives. A stronger and clearer regime is to tie the level of abatement to the minimum wage. This will create a long-term and robust system that sends a clear message about the connection between hours worked and the abatement of benefits. Labour is also committed to ongoing increases in the minimum wage to at least keep pace with changes in the average wage. After the five years, the earnings threshold will continue to increase in line with minimum wage changes. Labours path for increases to the weekly earnings threshold is as follows: By 1 April 2010, the weekly earnings threshold at which benefit abatement begins will be lifted to $100 from the current $80 By 1 April 2011, the abatement threshold will be lifted to $120 By 1 April 2012, the abatement threshold will be lifted to $140
We also recently announced a new secondary tax rate of 12.5% which will apply to those earning income as well as receiving a benefit. This will ensure that those with second incomes do not have too much tax deducted from their pay packet. Labour will change the treatment of ACC payments for those receiving benefits so that they are treated as income, rather than directly deducted from the benefit.
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This affects people whose level of weekly ACC compensation is sufficiently low that they are also entitled to some benefit. Using the same approach for ACC payments as applies to other forms of income is a fairer way to treat people in this situation.
Vocational support and training

Labour will continue to support people into paid work. We will continue our investment in wage subsidies, intensive case management, and increased availability of training and supported employment (where people with disabilities are hired in jobs and provided with ongoing support). Under this approach, even those who are unable to work in the short term are encouraged to plan for the future. We will not force someone into work when a doctor has certified they are sick, but we will not prevent them from having a go. We will also continue to offer support for personal development and participation in voluntary work for those who cannot access paid work. This will include expanding and accelerating the roll-out of Providing Access to Health Solutions (PATHS) and the Health Innovation Fund that offers health services for those seeking to move into work. Labour will also expand access to training and vocational support for people who arent on benefit but want to return to the workforce. We want to encourage and support all New Zealanders into work. We dont believe that people should have to start receiving a benefit before they can get help. Current work assistance training has been successful in preventing many people from ever needing the unemployment benefit, and we want to extend that support to other groups. We will make sure support is available for women with a partner in work who have been full-time caregivers but who now wish to go back into paid work. Labour will introduce a retraining allowance available to those who have been in the workforce for ten years and wish to upgrade their skills or retrain in a new area. Periods as a full-time caregiver to a child or a sick or infirm relative will also count towards the ten years total. This retraining allowance will provide an alternative to the Student Allowance for people who have used their 200 weeks Student Allowance entitlement. This allowance will be available for up to a year for enrolment in a recognised full time course. The course will generally need to be of at least twelve full-time weeks duration. The Unemployment Benefit (in training) is already available for courses of up to twelve weeks.
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In addition, greater efforts will be made to ensure new migrants are enabled to secure employment appropriate for their interests and their qualifications and skills.We will also ensure that young people continue to get supported when making the transition into paid work as part of our broader Schools Plus policy.
Reforming the benefit system

The Working New Zealand programme has delivered a range of policy, legislation and service delivery changes to significantly move the focus of support and services from main benefit types to individual circumstances. This is the first phase in the move towards a Core Benefit. Labour will continue to shift the social security system towards a focus on individual circumstances rather than benefit category, completing the implementation of the Core Benefit. This includes the Job Search Service, changes to employment and training programmes to make them more widely available and the alignment of benefit rules to make the system easier to understand. All clients receive a service that helps them plan for their future, whether it is about work or participation in their community. The idea behind the Core Benefit is that the type of income support a person is receiving will not be relevant to the service and support that they receive. Rather, the service delivery model will have evolved to remove unnecessary compliance around benefit types. The Social Security system will be focused on delivering a tailored set of services to individuals based on their circumstances and those of their family, to move them towards achieving the goals of participation in work and community life. There is now one medical certificate for people applying for Sickness and Invalids Benefits and people receiving an Invalids Benefit dont have to re-affirm their condition at regular intervals if it is unlikely to change. Specialist health and disability advisors work alongside case managers and clients, health and disability co-ordinators support health practitioners and there are more staff working directly with employers in their workplace. Further service enhancements will focus on a simplified approach that continues the focus on the client first, reducing compliance and focusing on providing the appropriate support services to enable clients to achieve positive outcomes in their lives. Labour will continue to put a strong emphasis on ensuring that all beneficiaries receive their full and correct entitlement. We will encourage anyone who is struggling to make ends meet to talk to Work and Income, which can provide a range of emergency assistance and support. In order to ensure that all New Zealanders have access to government and community services, we will continue to bring those
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services together for people who live in rural areas and small towns through Heartland Services.
Supporting workers and employers to prosper in a changing economy

(000s) 2250
Sustainable employment is the best way for individuals to achieve social and economic independence. It also helps industries and businesses to grow, prosper and in turn assist more workers to develop greater skills.
Employment in New Zealand

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In the last decade, unemployment has fallen dramatically, and significant increases in the minimum wage are boosting incomes for those at the bottom of the labour market. Through Working for Families, we have boosted the incomes of low and middle income families and made sure that work pays.
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Work and Income are better connected to the needs of employers to identify their workforce needs. Creating industry partnerships is an effective way for industry and government to work together to minimise skill and labour shortages, and maximise job opportunities. Firms opening, restructuring, and closing are a necessary feature of todays fastmoving and adaptive economy. There are now established mechanisms for government, unions, employers and agencies to work together to help smooth transitions throughout these cycles of change. Ten years ago 144,000 New Zealanders were unemployed, 7.6% of the labour force (June 1998). The priority of employment policies was to try and find people work. Today the unemployment rate has remained below 4% for 4 years (June 2008). We have seen a shift in emphasis from finding any job, to one where people are equipped with the right skills for the job. Ten years from now families will have more choice around paid work and caring responsibilities. There will be more focus on developing skills and productivity, and enabling workers to move between jobs. As New Zealand continues its process of transformation into a high value, high skill, high wage economy, there will be increasing need to support workers to move between jobs. This includes investment in training to ensure that workers can move into equivalent, or better, jobs in the labour market. This is critical for the benefit of the individual, and also for the economic transformation of New Zealand.
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Labour will encourage notification to government agencies of potential or upcoming redundancy situations. We will continue to focus on improving the working lives of the most vulnerable members of the labour force and to strengthen protections available to workers. We will refine the co-ordinated rapid response by government agencies to redundancies and raise awareness about the support available. This will include working closely with employers to prepare and offer support to their workers at the earliest opportunity. Labour will implement more active labour market policies and programmes which provide security and support for workers in a changing economy. We will look at whether there is a gap in terms of the level of support available in relation to large-scale redundancies. We will ensure that agencies work closely with Industry Training Organisations to provide re-training support. In the near term, the prospect of fall-out from the international crisis also requires us to have new plans for workers whose jobs might be affected. Labour will introduce a new re-training allowance, on the same basis as a student allowance but with no spousal income test, for workers who have been in the workforce for at least five years and have been made redundant. Periods as a full-time caregiver to a child or a sick or infirm relative will also count towards the ten years total. Labour believes that there is also a need to ensure that all firms are able to access the wide range of support available for their businesses at an early stage, before they face the risk of failure. This might include skills development, changing business practices, business development and productivity improvement. Labour will work with firms to help them access the services they need to improve their productivity. We will place a particular focus on firms in rural areas or small towns who may find it difficult to access existing programmes and support. Labour will ensure that government agencies work constructively and collaboratively to help meet specific productivity and performance challenges facing individual firms. This will include building and disseminating knowledge, expertise and capability on how to best use and manage the resources available to achieve good business and good work outcomes.
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Productivity improves when employees and employers work together to achieve a shared vision it is not about working longer, it is about working smarter. Labours labour market policies will continue the focus on choice and flexibility. Increasingly, flexible working arrangements and good parental provisions will make work-life balance a key consideration in any well-functioning workplace. Labour will expand community partnerships Communities Grants over the next term. with Enterprising
Enterprising Communities assistance is focused on achieving labour market outcomes for communities and groups who are disadvantaged in the labour market. The aim is to help these groups develop initiatives leading to sustainable opportunities for employment and financial independence. Enterprising Communities Grants help community organisations design and implement projects that create skills and job opportunities for people who are finding it hard to get work.
Supporting families to give every child the best start in life

We all know that the opportunity for individuals to reach their full potential is strongly influenced by experiences during the early years of life. If you grow up in a safe, nurturing environment where you are kept healthy and supported to learn, then you are much more likely to grow up to be a successful and happy adult who is able to make a positive contribution to the community. This decade has seen a lot of changes for families bringing up young children. In the past, many families suffered falling wages, and the spectre of unemployment never seemed far away. Today, there have been record increases in employment more people have jobs than ever before and the number of families needing benefit assistance has fallen substantially.
Proportion of children in poverty
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35
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10
Family incomes have also risen. Much of that has been through wage increases, and weve raised the minimum wage to ensure all working people have benefited. But Labour is also proud to have helped increase family incomes through Working for Families. Working for Families has put tax dollars back in the pockets of more than half of
2002 2004 2006 2008
Proportion of population below threshold (%)
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1992
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New Zealand families with children. It has helped people raising children while on a benefit, while also ensuring that people are better off if they take a job. Tax cuts from 1 October are giving more money back to families. Families have also had help in meeting the costs for essential needs. This includes help with housing, early childhood education and health care costs. Children under six years old are also able to get free visits to their doctor. The full impact of the Working for Families package will be reflected in the next Household Economic Survey. The results are scheduled for release in mid 2009, and are expected to show further reductions in child poverty. Ten years ago nearly one in three New Zealand children were living in poverty based on the measure used in the Social Report. Today one in six children are living in families with income below the same poverty line. Ten years from now all children will have access to the health, education and housing services that will enable them to develop to their full potential. But thing arent perfect. There are still too many children living in poverty even though numbers have declined, and the gaps in health and other outcomes between the best and worst-off remain stubbornly wide. Investing early in children's lives is the most effective strategy for reducing the risk of poor economic and social outcomes. The last decade has seen an expansion of existing initiatives and the development of new initiatives to help support families and give children the best start in life. These include universal services that help all families and whnau raise their children, such as parenting information through Strategies with Kids Information for Parents (SKiP); targeted services that bring different agencies together to offer support to vulnerable communities such as social workers in schools; and intensive services such as one-on-one support and home visiting. But achieving change for our most vulnerable families and communities means more than just improved government services. It is often community-based services that play an important role in supporting families and making sure children get the best start in life. The groups providing these services know what their communities need. They know where the gaps are, and what can be done to make sure families, children and young people are taken care of. More often than not, they are the people in the community that vulnerable families go to first for help. Labour wants to ensure that all children thrive in childhood, are respected and valued, have the opportunity to reach their full potential, and participate positively in society now and into the future.
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Labour endorses the Every Child Counts campaign and remains committed to putting children and families at the centre of policy development and implementation. Labour will continue to promote strong families, offering support and resources to assist them in good parenting. Services will build on our existing commitment to increase access to high-quality early childhood education. Labour has recognised the need to continue to research and measure poverty and other social outcomes. The Social Report has been produced every year since 2001 to monitor the wellbeing of New Zealanders, and the Household Incomes report monitors income poverty and inequality. Labour will continue to support a transparent approach to the publication of information regarding the social outcomes achieved for New Zealanders, Labour will continue to publish the Social Report every year. We will continue to invest in families through the Working for Families package. We will review family tax credit rates regularly to ensure that children in beneficiary families obtain a decent standard of living and fair educational and recreational opportunities. Labour will expand the integrated service response for vulnerable families to offer a family-focused case management approach in more communities across New Zealand. We will expand the provision of support for families who have complex and multiple needs so they are safe and secure and their children get a good start in life. We will further invest in early intervention family support, with integrated departmental and non-government agencies collaboration. By working proactively with these families earlier, and providing a more intensive level of support, we hope to be able to assist these families before they reach crisis point. Labour will continue to place a firm focus on the value of positive parenting strategies. We will continue to invest in SKIP Strategies with Kids, Information for Parents providing resources and training to assist in positive parenting. We will also maintain the implementation of Te Rito, the New Zealand Family Violence Prevention Strategy and Family Safety Teams. Labour will continue the implementation of Pathway to Partnership so that by 2012 all essential services for children, young people and families will be fully funded. The sustainable funding model will give community providers more certainty so they can spend less time worrying about paying the bills and more time focusing on outcomes. It will improve the ability to plan ahead, attract and retain qualified staff, improve service effectiveness and achieve good outcomes for New Zealand families.
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The new model will mean there will be annual adjustments for inflation, as well as ongoing assessment and adjustments in relation to the volume of services required. Social services for children and families will be community-driven, collaborative, inter-agency and outcome-driven. Communities benefit from the knowledge and experience of older people, and older people benefit from the opportunity that volunteering brings in remaining connected to their communities. Labour will support and further expand the SAGES programme to cover the costs of older volunteers. SAGES provides information, encouragement, practical advice and support to families in areas such as budgeting, nutritious cooking, positive parenting and networking.
Supporting children and young people who are at risk of harm

Most New Zealanders grow up in a caring and secure environment. Many Kiwis living abroad, and even people who have never lived here, know that New Zealand is a safe and healthy place in which to raise children. But some New Zealand children are not safe in their own homes. While international comparisons can be difficult to make, we know that our country does not do well when it comes to children being injured or even killed. And we know that in the overwhelming majority of cases, it is at the hands of somebody who is entrusted with their care. To prevent other children from experiencing this fate, we need public agencies that are strong and effective, with well-trained professionals working together. Social workers in community-based services also play an important role; they are often the professionals in the community that vulnerable families go to first for help. This is why strong partnerships have been developed between the community sector and government agencies. There is general agreement that to deliver responsive services to meet the needs of individual families, one agency cant do it alone. Although every tragedy is one too many, there has been positive change during this decade. The Taskforce for Action on Violence within Families is helping address this seemingly intractable and complex problem. There is now an effective whole-ofgovernment response that works in partnership with the community and voluntary sector. There is more support for providers in the family violence sector and more
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information and services available for families experiencing violence. As a result, were seeing a shift in the way people think about family violence. In the last decade, the care and protection system has been strengthened to ensure that there are effective, local responses that lead to permanent and stable care for children and young people. We now have a much stronger statutory agency to work closely with non-government agencies to support vulnerable children and young people. Quality social work can make a huge difference to the lives of individuals, families and communities. In 2003, the Social Worker Registration Act was passed to ensure high standards of practice and professional conduct among Social Workers. Initiatives such as Social Workers in Schools have demonstrated the value of having trained professionals placed where they are accessible and approachable for children and families. Ten years ago if someone had a complaint about the work of an individual social worker, they had nowhere to go. Social workers had no professional framework. Today over 2000 social workers are registered across New Zealand and the Social Workers Registration Board provides public assurance that there is a basic standard of practice expected from every social worker. Ten years from now children and families will be assisted to access the package of professional supports and services that suit their individual circumstances. Labour will ensure high-quality statutory intervention services when children require care and protection from harm, while also ensuring young children in care continue to receive the range of services they need to learn, grow and develop. Labour will roll out the Differential Response Model across New Zealand by 30 June 2009 to ensure delivery of the right services to the right people at the right time. The Differential Response Model enables Child, Youth and Family to work more closely with non-government organisations also supporting families and young people. It means there are more options for responding when a report is received, and better opportunity to connect families to services as early as possible to prevent more serious problems. Labour will build the capacity and capability of community organisations delivering services to children and families through sustainable funding arrangements. That gives organisations a better ability to plan ahead, attract and retain qualified staff, improve service effectiveness and achieve good outcomes for New Zealand families. Labour will complete legislative changes to ensure the Children, Young People and their Families Act continues to provide an up-to-date, effective legal framework both for safeguarding New Zealands most
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vulnerable children and young people and for responding effectively to offending by children and young people. The Children, Young People and their Families Act provides a highly relevant framework for delivering effective services to children, young people and their families. However, it is now 18 years since the Act was passed and we owe it to New Zealanders to ensure it continues to provide the most effective legal framework for safeguarding our vulnerable children and young people, promoting their wellbeing and that of their families, whanau and family groups. This includes: raising the age to include 17-year-olds in the same care and protection and youth justice processes as younger children. enhancing Youth Court orders, including the introduction of two new orders for persistent or serious offending by young people improving the criteria for information sharing establishing complaints and review procedures improving the participation of children and young persons in the decisions that affect them recognising the support needs of those moving from care to independence In a very small number of cases, children and young people pose a challenge to the safety, security and wellbeing of themselves and others. Labour will ensure that residential services provide a safe environment for children, young people and staff, while creating opportunities to effect lasting change for individuals. Labour will continue to implement the Residential Services Strategy. We will build further support around children and young people in residential care to deliver a service that is tailored to young peoples needs and focused on outcomes. Residential staff will work closely with young people to develop individualised care plans that focus on improving wellbeing, addressing welfare, education and health needs and preparing young people for transition back to their families and community. Labour will continue to implement the Care and Protection Blueprint.
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In 2003, Labour released the Care and Protection Blueprint, which outlined our strategy for enhancing the services provided to children and young people who were at risk of, or who had suffered from, abuse and neglect. In particular we placed a focus on improving health and education outcomes for children involved with Child, Youth and Family including: improving information on the health and education needs of Child, Youth and Family clients improving services for children and young people with disabilities improving access for, and the engagement of, Child, Youth and Family clients in mainstream education and the Correspondence School an inter-agency strategy for children and young people with severe antisocial behaviour Child, Youth and Family and District Health Boards implementing joint action plans to improve access to mental health services for Child, Youth and Family clients workforce development to support Child, Youth and Family clients with Autism Spectrum Disorder improving support for parents with mental health problems or disabilities who have children involved with Child, Youth and Family Substantial progress has been made on these initiatives and many have now been implemented. Labour will maintain a focus on the broader needs of children and young people involved with the care and protection system. Labour will implement the recommendations of the Best of Care? review. The Best of Care? review examined policy, legislation and operational practice related to children and young people with disabilities and their families involved with Child, Youth and Family and the Ministry of Health. It looked at the issues surrounding out-of-home placement of disabled children and highlighted some critical issues limiting effective support for disabled children and their families. Labour wants to provide all children with a safe and supportive home environment. Providing a safe and supportive home for disabled children may require additional resources. We are committed to clarifying the funding responsibilities of agencies,
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strengthening processes within and between agencies, and improving access to services.
Financial security for older New Zealanders

Every New Zealander has the right to a decent, publicly-provided pension at the age of 65. By running government surpluses in good times and carefully investing in the Superfund, we have ensured the continued provision of universal Superannuation and prepared New Zealand for an increasingly aging population. In 1998 the floor of New Zealand Superannuation was cut back to 60% of the average wage. In the last decade this has been restored to 65%. New Zealand Superannuation has been adjusted annually for inflation and against the average ordinary wage. The Disability Allowance and Community Services Card levels have also been adjusted every year, so that no-one loses this entitlement because of an increase in Super.
Growth since 1999
NZ Super Growth Under Labour vs. Average Wage Growth

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Older New Zealanders play a crucial role in supporting the development of our families. Grandparents who have taken on full-time care of their grandchildren in cases of family breakdown now receive increased support, with the alignment of the Unsupported Childs Benefit and Orphans Benefit with the Foster Care Allowance weekly board rates.
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Ten years ago Superannuation was frozen in real terms. In October 1998 the National government set out a plan to let Super fall as a proportion of the average wage until it hit just 60%. In April 1999, the rate payable to a married couple fell to 62.66% of the average wage. Today Superannuation for a married couple is 66.48% of the average wage. Ten years from now Superannuitants will continue to receive financial security through the annual adjustment of NZ Superannuation. Labour will continue to adjust NZ Superannuation to ensure that the rate for a married couple is equivalent to at least 66% of the average wage. We will continue to ensure that older New Zealanders have financial security and their rights are protected. We will continue to support older New Zealanders who care for their grandchildren and ensure they receive similar support to other carers.
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Supporting an Active, Sporting Nation
Labours policy for Sport and Recreation
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Introduction
Sport and Recreation is an important part of the cultural fabric of our nation and an important part of our national identity. Sport and recreation binds our communities, our regions, and our country. We see ourselves as an active, sporting people. Getting New Zealanders participating in sport and recreation activities has huge benefits for our health and wellbeing, and achieving in sport and recreation strengthens our national pride. Not only is sport and recreation a source of great enjoyment and excitement, it can encourage a healthy competitive spirit and unify a country or community. Labour has a vision of a sport and recreation sector that has high participation levels among all New Zealanders at the grassroots level; competitive clubs and organisations that can offer solid career pathways to attract the top-notch managers they need to thrive; development of our young talented athletes as well as strong support for our existing elite; a solid volunteer base; and world class sports leaders and administrators. We are determined to see New Zealand build upon its proud sporting history as a nation that punches above its weight internationally, and to set new benchmarks in sporting excellence across a range of disciplines. Yet only under Labour has sport and recreation received the recognition it deserves. In the 1990s there was little focus or funding into the sector, so that towards the end of the decade we were seeing participation rates falling and the number of our topranked athletes dropping to disturbingly low levels. New Zealand started the new Millennium with one of the lowest medal counts in our Olympic history, at the Sydney Games in 2000. That is in stark contrast to the recent Beijing Olympics where our Olympic team produced the best overall result in 20 years by bringing home three golds, one silver and five bronze medals, as well as 26 top-eight placings cross nine different sports. In the past decade government funding for the sector has increased 16-fold and this investment is paying off. Not only are our elite athletes performing well on the world stage, independent research also shows New Zealand is bucking the world trend of declining participation in sport and recreation, with participation levels now constant. Ten years ago . . . government funding of the sport and recreation sector was a little over $4 million dollars a year. Today . . .the government invests more than $75 million dollars in sport and recreation, over and above the contribution from Lotteries. Ten years from now . . . ongoing government investment in the sector will see high participation in grassroots sport and recreation among New Zealanders of all ages, strong vibrant sports and recreation clubs, and world class performances from our elite athletes across a range of disciplines.
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Labour believes that we must keep this momentum going. There are further challenges to be met in this sector and we will ensure that the right level of investment is going into the right areas so that all New Zealanders can benefit from all that the sport and recreation sector has to offer.
Supporting Sport at the Grassroots Level

There are an estimated 15,000 local clubs and gyms and half a million volunteers supporting grassroots sport and recreation in New Zealand. The health, social and economic benefits of a high level of participation in sport and recreation activities have widespread flow-on effects in our communities. Labour recognises this, and is committed to ensuring an ongoing investment into local sport and recreation to ensure New Zealanders can reap the benefits from sport and recreational participation. Labour believes that, rather than debating the virtues of grassroots sport versus high performance sport, we need to recognise that one complements the other. An investment in community sport is also an investment in our elite athletes of the future. Labour will continue to increase our funding of community sport and recreation so that our local clubs thrive. We will work with local authorities to increase opportunities for physical activities in our communities through access to parks, cycleways, walkways and sports facilities. The financial difficulties experienced by local sport and recreation groups are sometimes due to a fragmented governance structure that sees national sporting organisations pitted against their own local clubs rather than supporting each other and working together for the good of the sport. Labour will ensure that taxpayer funding of sports is used in such a way that both community and national organisations are benefiting. Labour is also committed to improving the linkages between the business and sport and recreation sectors. We believe there is untapped potential in both sectors in building a variety of partnerships, beyond straightforward sponsorship. Sports, for instance, can offer valuable databases and customer profiles through their membership systems, help better connect businesses with their communities and help develop teamwork principles within the business environment. Business can use its expertise to mentor sports organisations in governance, management and financial administration. Labour in government has introduced a Business and Sport Partnership initiative to help foster those relationships. Strong Proven Leadership 474
Labour will ensure many more successful sports and business relationships are developed through the Business and Sport Partnership Initiative by promoting the benefits for both sectors and providing facilitation assistance between sectors. We recognise the massive contribution made by volunteers in this sector. These people are at the very heart of our grassroots sport and recreation sector and we want to thank them for the important work they do. Labour will continue to support volunteers in the sport and recreation sector by providing resources to assist them in their roles and give them the opportunity to upskill. This could include working towards a career in the sector.
High Performance Sport

When New Zealand performs and wins on the world stage our national pride soars. As well as the excitement and pride we feel as a nation, our athletes international successes help to promote New Zealand and to enhance our image overseas. The government's high performance network, the New Zealand Academy of Sport, has been very successful, but Labour would like to see even more potential worldclass athletes and coaches gaining access to such specialised training and facilities. Labour will assist the New Zealand Academy of Sport to develop a preelite athlete identification programme so that we ensure we are finding and developing New Zealands next generation of high-performance athletes and so that our pool of elite athletes grows. New Zealand has just enjoyed its most successful Olympics in 20 years in Beijing but we cant let up on that momentum. The governments High Performance Strategy needs to be taken to the next level as New Zealand looks to London 2012. Labour will review our Olympic performance and look at how our High Performance Strategy can be honed even further. Labour recognises we need to support our top athletes beyond the sports field and one way we have been doing that is through the Prime Ministers Athlete Scholarships. The purpose of the scholarships is to enable emerging and talented New Zealanders to pursue tertiary study at the same time as their elite level sport development by assisting with their academic fees. In 2008, approximately 300 athletes across 23 national sport organisations were awarded Prime Ministers scholarships.
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Labour will continue to support our top athletes and coaches to pursue tertiary study or training through the Prime Ministers Athlete Scholarships. New Zealand is a world leader in anti-doping issues and Labour will ensure we stay that way by continuing to support the Crown Entity, Drug Free Sport New Zealand, to give effect to the World Anti-Doping Code and keep our sports clean.
Maximising our Outdoor Recreation Opportunities

New Zealand is an outdoor recreation lovers paradise. The great outdoors and the adventurous Kiwi spirit are key elements of our national identity. We are fortunate to have the remarkable and diverse landscape that we do, but we must ensure we are making the most of the opportunities available while still protecting our natural environment for future generations. While New Zealands outdoor recreation sector is world class, there is a lack of coordination between the various outdoor recreation providers. That is why Labour in government has initiated an inter-agency review of outdoor recreation in New Zealand. Labour will establish the Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Recreation Council to carry out the recommendations coming out of that review to transform and revitalise the outdoor recreation sector. Crucial to ensuring a flourishing outdoor recreation sector is ensuring easy access to outdoor recreation opportunities for all New Zealanders, including those who face natural barriers such as the disabled and low income earners. Labour will work closely with territorial authorities to ensure that outdoor recreation opportunities are available to all New Zealanders and visitors to New Zealand at a low cost but of first-rate quality. Because outdoor recreation can create a wide range of benefits to participants, communities and the country as a whole, Labour is committed to actions that will help to foster recreation in New Zealand. We want New Zealanders to continue to value what the outdoor experience has to offer, not just in terms of health and wellbeing or in a commercial sense, but also for the sheer fun, adventure and challenge inherent in outdoor recreation activities. Labour will initiate a public awareness campaign to reignite Kiwis love of the great outdoors and promote the outdoor recreation activities that we are so fortunate to have access to. Strong Proven Leadership 476
Many of our most famous New Zealanders are associated with the outdoor recreation and sport sectors the most iconic being the late Sir Edmund Hillary. His outstanding achievements - especially the conquering of Mt Everest in 1953 - have provided inspiration to generations of Kiwi adventure-seekers and outdoor-lovers. It is therefore appropriate that Sir Edmund Hillarys legacy lives on through initiatives which related to his charitable work and to outdoor recreation, sport and fitness. In addition to establishing the Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Recreation Council through the governments sport and recreation agency, SPARC, a number of projects have been initiated to commemorate his extraordinary life: The Hillary Shield, to be played between the All Blacks and England's rugby team; The Sir Edmund Hillary Fellowship, which provides for a citizen of India or Nepal which leadership potential to visit New Zealand each year. Sir Edmund Hillarys name being incorporates into the Young New Zealanders' Challenge of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award; and A $60,000 funding boost to the Himalayan Trust, increasing the annual grant from the government to $350,000.
Developing a Healthy Nation

Sport and recreation is a vital ingredient in developing a healthy nation but there are still large parts of our communities that are not sufficiently active to maintain basic good health. Our recreational choices are changing. Parents face a greater-than-ever challenge in persuading their children to play outdoors or in sports teams because of competing influences such as television and computers. Modern sports and recreation clubs have to compete with these new activities for young peoples leisure time. Under a Labour government, programmes and campaigns to reduce obesity, improve nutrition and increase physical activity will remain a top government priority because improvements in these areas means an improvement in the overall health of New Zealanders. Labour will re-examine the physical education programmes in our schools to ensure there is an adequate focus on physical education for schoolage children and that junior sports and recreation activities are being actively promoted through our schools.
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A multi-pronged, cross-agency approach is needed to achieve the health and activity gains that Labour wants to see. Labour will continue to facilitate a co-ordinated effort by health, education and sports agencies to implement programmes that encourage healthy lifestyles. We will continue to promote healthy lifestyles through proven successful programmes such as Push Play and we will continue to use a range of technologies to get these important messages across, particularly to the younger generation. To ignore these technologies would be to ignore the fact that young people in particular are gaining much of their information from these communication channels.
Maximising the Benefit of the 2011 Rugby World Cup

In 2011 New Zealand will host the third-largest sporting event in the world and the largest event ever to be held in this country the Rugby World Cup. Labour in government was instrumental in winning the bid to host the 2011 Rugby World Cup and we are committed to making this event the very best it can be. Labour in government has set up the government framework needed to support this event, for instance by establishing the Minister for the Rugby World Cup, the Rugby World Cup Government Steering Group and the Rugby World Cup 2011 Government Co-ordination Office. Rugby New Zealand 2011 Limited has also been established to plan and deliver the tournament in 2011. Rugby New Zealand 2011 is a joint venture company with the government and the New Zealand Rugby Union being 50:50 shareholders. The Rugby World Cup is expected to attract as many as 66,000 international supporters, 2,500 international media and up to 2,500 corporate and VIP guests. It is estimated Rugby World Cup 2011 will add $507 million to New Zealands gross domestic product. But the benefits of hosting the Rugby World Cup go well beyond the direct financial gains. Labour will ensure that all relevant government agencies are fully engaged to make the most of every opportunity that the 2011 Rugby World Cup will create. Labour will work to ensure that the 2011 Rugby World Cup is a worldclass event that is uniquely New Zealand. We will create a festival that involves and engages the entire country and that showcases New Zealand to the rest of the world.
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The 2011 Rugby World Cup is much more than a rugby tournament. The potential spin-offs will be felt for a long time after 2011. Labour will work to ensure that all New Zealanders, not just rugby fans, are ready to make the most of this event. New Zealand businesses have much to gain from the Rugby World Cup and we want to ensure they are aware of those opportunities and ready to take advantage of them. Labour will develop a programme to assist business so that maximum leverage can be gained from the World Cup build-up, tournament and aftermath. One of the key lessons from the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France was the importance of a well-organised volunteers programme. Labour believes that a volunteers programme that contributes to the success of the 2011 Rugby World Cup and also has ongoing benefits for New Zealand should be a priority for the government in the lead-up to the tournament. Labour will develop a volunteers programme for the Rugby World Cup that will raise the profile and importance of volunteering and that will leave a legacy of experienced, skilled and willing volunteers who can continue to benefit a range of sectors. Labour believes the 2011 Rugby World Cup must be an environmentally sustainable event. Labour will develop an environmental sustainability strategy that is ambitious but achievable and that enhances the tournament and New Zealands global reputation.
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Working for the Public Good
Labours policy for the State Sector
2008
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Introduction
Labour is committed to ensuring that our state-sector organisations and public services are highly valued by all New Zealanders, as citizens, workers and employers, for the great results and the opportunities that they produce for us and for our children. Labour has re-built public services in New Zealand over the last nine years. We have done this because we believe that a successful economy and a vibrant, healthy educated society support one another. Public services have been strengthened with better funding, increased numbers of professional staff, and better results. New Zealands public sector is and will continue to be the envy of the world for its excellence in service quality, its integrity and its cost-effective innovation. New Zealand's growing economy relies on strong social foundations. A 21st century society must include world-class education, public infrastructure, health-care, justice and social services. We will continue to ensure that New Zealanders enjoy confidence in their public services, seeing them as a force for greater democracy, social wellbeing and business success. Labour will set a positive direction for the state sector, ensuring that it continues to play a leading role in achieving sustainability objectives, in supporting businesses, in serving communities, and in developing a first-rate workforce and employment environment.
Coordinated and Connected

Over this decade the state sector has evolved in new directions. It has been a gradual and pragmatic process, avoiding the slash-and-burn restructurings of the 1990s. There is now greater co-ordination between government agencies than ever before. New guiding principles for the management and organisation of public services emphasise co-operation and co-ordination, putting the needs of communities, families and individuals at the core of their work. The government has a Development Goals programme with six set goals to transform the state services in a way that aligns with government priorities and delivers better results for New Zealanders. Two of these goals include: Networked State Services: using technology to transform the provisions of services and to reduce barriers to sharing information with other agencies Co-ordinated State Agencies: to ensure the total contribution of government agencies is greater than the sum of its parts.
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We need to be internationally competitive in the excellence of our public services and administration. Labour intends to lead the state sector to the next level of world-class achievement. The work of the public service is complex and challenging. It requires unique organisational arrangements and leadership skills that co-ordinate and reach across many different sectors of society and many different agencies. Labour will ensure the organisational structures within the state sector are kept under review to ensure improved integration and effectiveness. Led by the State Services Commission, a review panel will include representatives from business, unions, the community and voluntary sector and iwi. It will undertake consultation across New Zealand and will make recommendations to government by the end of 2009. Services need to be closer to communities, organised around solving problems and finding solutions with communities, not by government acting alone. Many issues needing government involvement are complex and inter-related. We intend to work with all state sector agencies to seek new models of organisational development and employment practice that will mirror the need for comprehensive, integrated services New Zealanders can trust. This includes clarifying lines of accountability, reducing duplication and overheads and developing the state sector workforce to achieve to the highest possible standards of professionalism and ethical conduct. There will be no radical or rapid restructurings however. There will be a renewed focus on increasing the efficiency and service quality between business and government. Taxpayers will receive value for money and the public sector will use its resources and powers in an efficient, appropriate and effective way. We believe in our public sector managers and professionals as people who are committed to continuous improvement and who want to make a difference. They are already committed to the best social, environmental and economic outcomes for New Zealanders, and are now ready for the next generation of challenges in global competitiveness, climate change and social development.
The Public Service Career

Our countrys public servants are trusted, responsive and experienced. We believe that New Zealanders value our public servants as highly professional, hard-working people who care about our children and families, about our health, and about the success of our economy. Strong Proven Leadership 484
These are the people who protect our borders, help to form and support our companies, offer independent advice, aim for better public health, protect the safety of our communities and provide many other essential services. They deal daily with problems and risks on behalf of the community, and are constantly seeking creative ways forward. They grapple daily with complex issues such as how to balance sustainability objectives with business needs, or how to provide access to services for an increasingly diverse community. Labour will ensure the state sector attracts and retains the best and brightest. State sector employers are expected to set an example of good employment practice to the rest of the economy. Graduates will not see the state sector as a second-best choice for their career aspirations but as an employer of choice. One of the Development Goals is for the state services to be attractive to high performers who are committed to service and achieving results. Labour will encourage collective bargaining and implement pay equity and work-life balance programmes in the state sector. From 1 April 2008 with the closure of the State Sector Retirement Savings Scheme to new members KiwiSaver became the core form of retirement savings in the state sector. The State Sector Retirement Savings Scheme continues as a viable savings option for existing members (in the core public service). KiwiSaver offers new and existing employees the opportunity to build retirement savings that are substantially enhanced by Government contributions. Labour will continue its commitment to the partnership process, including through negotiating further Partnerships for Quality with the Public Service Association. We will continue to work with state sector employers, employees and unions to collaboratively build the best possible environment for service delivery, career development and professional leadership. This will ensure that government has a clear and robust set of principles for the structures and employment practices of the state sector. The so-called New Zealand model of the 1990s has had its day. Labour is now leading the way with a clear set of principles for organisational and employment relations practices in the public sector. The whole public sector and those who rely on the services it provides will benefit from this, and unions in the sector will need to be engaged in the process. An important practical first step towards a more integrated public service is to have common leave provisions in public service employment agreements. This will provide greater consistency across the public service, and means that departments wont waste time and effort re-negotiating these provisions.
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Labour will continue to introduce common leave provisions across the public service as part of regular departmental negotiations, or by variation, with the aim of having all employees covered by 1 July 2009. The provisions, which will apply to the 35 public service departments, have been agreed as part of the Partnership for Quality Agreement between the government, the Public Service Association, and the State Services Commissioner.
Working with the Community and Voluntary Sector

The state sector will work in partnership with community organisations, private enterprise and trade unions to improve the wealth, opportunities and well-being of New Zealanders. Constructive relationships will be built on mutually-understood goals and flexible agreements that allow communities to determine their own futures. Labour will continue to value the contribution of community, voluntary and iwi/Maori organisations to good policy making and the delivery of effective services. Demonstrated leadership from public service chief executives and senior managers will ensure that all departments and agencies have a good understanding of the values, governance arrangements and working realities of community, voluntary and iwi/Maori organisations with whom they interact. Government departments and the sector will work together to develop and improve consultation processes through sharing best practice, guidelines and training. Labour will require that the Statement of Government Intentions for an Improved Community - Government Relationship is reflected in the accountability documents of all government departments and agencies. A sector-led review of the implementation of the Statement of Government Intentions is currently underway, and due to report shortly. We will give due consideration to any recommendations for improvement that it puts forward.
Working with Business

The international experience is that a public service that is transparent, professional and trusted will deliver the conditions for business so they can invest with confidence. New Zealands public service is second to none in this regard. New Zealand has a world-leading reputation for public-service integrity, effectiveness and innovation.
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In 2008, our public service was rated first-equal in the world for the third year in a row for its lack of corruption. The ranking came in Transparency Internationals Corruption Perceptions Index which assesses 180 countries. We have the best record on earth. The World Banks Doing Business Index ranked New Zealand number two in its global survey on how much the regulatory environment is conducive to the operation of business. Labour will make further changes to lead and enhance that record, in the interests of the whole community. To make life easier for small and medium-sized enterprises, we will achieve greater co-ordination of services between departments such as IRD, ACC and the Department of Labour. Labour will ensure that businesses and self-employed people will have access to a one-stop shop liaison with government. There will be no wrong door for anyone seeking go-ahead solutions to practical business problems. This principle will extend to local government and resource consents. The growth of e-government online will rapidly make such efficiency and integration an everyday reality. Accessibility, timeliness of service, courtesy and helpful problem-solving are the standards that enterprising New Zealanders can expect from their dealings with government administration. Labour will develop and implement tools that reduce the repetition of form completion, which has been a barrier to efficient communication between government and small business. These tools will be developed in consultation with business. We will ensure that such a system, when implemented, will be fully accessible, including by New Zealanders with sight-impairment. Business should be able to expect prompt, helpful, integrated services. Delays and costs need to be minimised, while at the same time preserving regulatory standards. Such standards need to be clearly stated, equitable, and consistent. Labour will also continue to provide support for the Partnership Resource Centre, which works alongside employers, unions and staff to help them develop constructive partnerships, improve their current partnership practices, or work through particular problems.
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The Public Service Leading Sustainability

New Zealand needs to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. Reductions achieved by the state sector count in our national inventory and so reduce the cost for New Zealand under the international climate change treaty, the Kyoto Protocol. Change has to begin at the local level, and Labour and the agencies of government are leading by example. Labour will maintain the drive toward sustainability by showing what this means in practice for business and households. The state sector will set the example for the rest of the economy in energy efficiency, environmental sustainability and carbon emissions reduction. In a world-leading move, the 35 core public service departments have begun work to achieve carbon neutrality as part of the government's push towards sustainability. Our goal to achieve carbon neutrality from 2012 across the core public service will demonstrate nationally and internationally New Zealand's commitment to pulling its weight on climate change and creating a sustainable nation. Labour is committed to achieving carbon neutrality for six lead agencies by 2012, with the other 29 agencies being on the path to carbon neutrality by 2012. The six lead agencies are Ministry for the Environment, the Department of Conservation, the Ministry of Health, The Treasury, Inland Revenue, and the Ministry of Economic Development. This programme involves a three-step process: Measuring the greenhouse gas emissions from the agencys activities. These mostly come from burning fossil fuels to generate electricity or for transport. Reducing those emissions. Offsetting remaining emissions by undertaking projects to remove an equivalent amount of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere or prevent it being released.
The programme will use New Zealand-based projects to offset the greenhouse gas emissions where this needs to occur. All 35 agencies will complete an annual emissions inventory, develop an emissions reduction plan and implement the actions in their plans. They will report on this process to the Ministry for the Environment each year. Strong Proven Leadership 488
Better Access For A Better Future
Labours policy for Tertiary Education
2008
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Introduction
Labour believes every New Zealander should be entitled to access quality public education of the highest standard throughout their lives. Quality education ensures that every Kiwi, regardless of who they are or where they come from, can achieve to their full potential and contribute to New Zealands society and economy. Labour is committed to a quality tertiary education and training system that will support New Zealands economic and social development. We want to ensure that our tertiary education system is focused on quality and relevance. We want to ensure that an integrated approach is taken to tertiary education and that barriers to participation are eliminated.
Ensuring Quality and Relevance

During this decade, New Zealand has witnessed a serious and on-going re-assessment of the tertiary education sectors role. This has involved important changes in terms of the way we think about, plan, and fund tertiary education as a whole. A major step forward was the establishment of the Tertiary Education Commission to bring together the responsibility for all post-school education and training within one agency, and to develop a more active approach to funding. For the first time, our country has also started to set out specific strategic aims and objectives for what we want the tertiary education system to achieve. The number of New Zealanders taking part in all forms of tertiary education has significantly increased, with around half a million students enrolled in formal study. By 2006 the number of New Zealanders of working age holding a tertiary qualification had risen to 36 per cent compared with 26 per cent a decade earlier. The number with higher-level tertiary qualifications has also increased. The last two years, in particular, have seen major changes in the approach to funding, regulation and provision of tertiary education, which has created an exciting new framework. This approach is fundamentally different from previous arrangements, and aims at improving tertiary education quality. It has involved a greater focus on student achievement, meeting stakeholders needs and developing a culture of continuous improvement rather than raw enrolment statistics.
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Ten years ago tertiary education was run on a purely market basis, with volume the sole indicator of value. Today arrangements are in place so that tertiary education providers focus more on meeting the needs of the communities they serve. Ten years from now the tertiary education system will be adept at anticipating and meeting the skills and knowledge needs of employers and communities. Labour intends to further embed and build on these changes to ensure that tertiary education is well-placed to meet the needs of our wider society and economy. Although Labour places a very high value on university and polytechnic education and recognises the benefits that a skilled workforce brings to this country, we do not wish to see our tertiary institutions become mere factories, where tertiary education is driven by institutions ability to attract students into the most profitable courses. This means that under the new reforms we have put in place, tertiary organisations no longer receive funding based solely on the number of students they are able to enrol a policy which was leading to a bums-on-seats mentality. Instead, Labour is building a network of provision with each individual tertiary education organisation making a distinctive contribution to the network. Networks of provision will reflect the particular mix of education and training that tertiary education organisations offer in each region to meet the needs of that region and of New Zealand as a whole. Labour will ensure, through the Tertiary Education Commission, that the tertiary education system fosters the skills that our economy and society needs. Our re-shaping of the tertiary education system started with a lift in the number of science students and a very large increase in doctoral students across all disciplines. However, some other obvious gaps, such as engineering and information technologies, still need more attention. These changes to the way tertiary education operates have been accompanied by increased resources and a wider range of ways to meet tertiary education providers funding needs. Total tertiary education funding has increased by around 80% this decade. Labour will continue to maintain the real value of funding rates (through the Student Achievement Component) for tertiary education providers. We have also started a Partnership for Excellence programme to match the funding that institutions raise from philanthropy. In 2005 we also introduced and funded a quality re-investment programme to assist polytechnics and wananga to shift their education provision to a higher level of quality. Strong Proven Leadership 492
The latest development in this area is a new capital investment fund of $95 million to be allocated over the next four years. It is open to all tertiary education institutions to apply with long term capital asset investment proposals, although it will require an institution to look first to its own balance sheet or surplus assets. The process will be managed by a panel, which will ensure that capital investments needing some central funding component are managed according to need and according to contribution that can be made to the network of provision. This will enable the sector to change from a somewhat ad hoc approach to addressing building and other capital plans towards a more orderly way of prioritising need. Labour will continue to support initiatives that are focused on fostering a culture of continuous quality improvement in all parts of the tertiary education sector. We will also provide funding incentives that ensure tertiary education organisations deliver the appropriate support to encourage students to continue with and complete their programmes of study. Education is a life-long investment, and those who are ready to put in the time and capital required to complete a qualification at the tertiary level deserve the best education possible. Labour will continue to recognise the investment that students are making, and will honour this investment by providing them with high-quality teachers and innovative, world-class institutions. There are two crucial factors that make a difference to whether students do well in their studies: the quality of teaching they receive and how their learning is managed and supported. Through initiatives like the establishment of Ako Aotearoa the National Centre for Tertiary Teaching Excellence we are supporting ways to continually enhance teaching excellence. This is the first centre of its kind in New Zealand and a great initiative for tertiary education. Ako Aotearoa now also runs the annual Tertiary Teaching Excellence Awards. The selection process for the awards has identified a magnificent resource of excellent teachers since they began in 2001. Ako Aotearoa is looking at ways to use these people to the best advantage of the whole tertiary sector. Labour will continue initiatives to further lift teaching quality, recognise outstanding teachers, and to promote the spread of good teaching practices including in specific areas such as emerging technologies.
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A more collaborative future

Through the development of a more strategic approach to tertiary education, Labour is building a network of provision to meet the needs of each region and of New Zealand as a whole. Each individual tertiary education organisation will make a distinctive contribution to this network. Each tertiary education organisation is expected to deliver according to its particular strengths, so that unnecessary duplication is avoided and efficiency and quality are maximised. We will foster greater collaboration amongst tertiary education providers, with a focus on cooperation rather than competition, and ensure that polytechnics and industry training organisations are working together effectively. The progress from the first round of investment in our new planned approach has been impressive but it is time to lift the momentum even further. We will work with the sector to achieve greater cost effectiveness through collaboration. This might involve joint procurement, or possibly a part of the sector achieving savings by amalgamating back-office functions such as payroll. Another way that collaboration can improve effectiveness is through benchmarking. Labour will embed benchmarking capability in the sector, initially in institutes of technology and polytechnics. Benchmarking has been put to good use in the health system and it will be of considerable value for institutes of technology and polytechnics. It will be most valuable if it is used as a management tool and not as an accountability measure. With robust data collected over time, best practice will be more easily shared. We need an ongoing benchmarking capability in New Zealand and it should become a core part of what we do. Labour will improve the way that institutes of technology and polytechnics (ITPs) and industry training organisation work together, encouraging more joint curriculum development, clearer qualifications for students and more flexible learning pathways. This includes what is often referred to as overlapping provision. This is a longstanding issue and one that will require commitment and compromise from all parties. Labour will work to ensure there is the momentum needed to deliver sensible outcomes. In parallel with this in the university sector, the Tripartite Forum has been a commitment by staff union representatives, the government and the Vice Chancellors Committee to finding ways of addressing issues affecting the sustainability and effectiveness of the university sector. Strong Proven Leadership 494
Labour will work with vice-chancellors and sector unions through the tripartite process to strengthen the distinctive contribution of the universities. We will also extend that tripartite process to better define the future relationship between universities on the one hand and polytechnics and wananga on the other. Part of this will involve ensuring that pathways for students between study in one subsector and further study in another are more obvious and better aligned. Labour will fund collaborative endeavours where appropriate. Collaboration is essential to innovation. Where government has a constructive role to play in fostering collaboration, such as that between university scientists and research institutions, Labour will support these endeavours.
Supporting Research and Scholarship

Tertiary education, and in particular the university sector, is at the forefront of knowledge development and critical thinking. It also plays a vital role in this countrys research and innovation activities. Research, and research extension into industry, is crucial if we are to increase productivity. To keep us competitive in the global market place, we need new and more innovative production methods and ways of working. Significant changes have been made during this decade to the ways in which research undertaken by tertiary education providers is funding and supported. Most significant has been the introduction of the Performance Based Research Fund. Prior to this, most university research received no direct funding. Instead, universities and other providers with research programmes had to rely on money earned from student enrolments. The performance-based approach instead rewards research excellence with additional investment and early signs are that it is succeeding in its goal of increasing the quality of research. Alongside this, eight centres of research excellence were identified and funded to support world class research. Each of these innovative hubs of teaching and research involve more than one university, and often include other tertiary education providers or Crown research institutes as well. In addition, both health research funding and the Marsden Fund for blue-skies research have almost doubled. At the same time, university success in Foundation of Research, Science and Technology funding has increased more than two-and-a-half times.
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Ten years ago tertiary research was funding almost entirely as a by-product of student enrolments. Today a new funding system ensures that research is funded on the basis of excellence and the contribution it makes. Ten years from now New Zealand will have developed an acknowledged international reputation in areas of strength and importance to our nation, while maintaining a broad research base to support the full range of degree-level teaching. Although improving, New Zealands investment in research and development is still well below the western world average. Public sector investment is at about 75% of the western world average, although that is likely to rise to around 83% by 2011/12 due to already-announced funding. Labour intends to increase the support available to tertiary research. Labour will increase funding for the Marsden Fund, Health Research, and new Transformational Research and Development (including new materials) as well as renewable energy research, social research, and funding to address the needs of researchers early in their careers. For the future of science in New Zealand it is important people studying science are able to quickly begin undertaking research in their chosen field. Labour will therefore target government investment to encouraging our bright young scientists. Labour will continue to invest in the Performance Based Research Fund, lifting it to $250 million by 2010. Funding levels beyond that will be informed by the results of the latest review of the fund. We will also ensure we are making the best use of investments we make in research, whether it is in the university sector or with Crown research institutes. We do have a lot of collaboration but we need more.
Student Support
This decade has seen a focus on affordable and accessible tertiary education for all New Zealanders, and several changes have been made to accomplish this. This began with the introduction of the no interest while studying policy to end the unfair practice of students being charged interest on their student loans while they studied. An even more significant change came in with the introduction of universal, interest-free loans for all students living in New Zealand from 1 April 2006. Strong Proven Leadership 496
The affordability of tertiary study was also tackled by introducing the fee maxima policy, widening access to student allowances and increasing the availability of scholarships. In 2005 the parental income threshold was raised by 20 percent for student allowance recipients the first time since the current system of parental income testing was established in 1992. Last year the threshold was raised by a further 10 percent and this year it was again increased by 10 percent. The effect of these changes has been an increase in student allowance recipients for the first time since 2001. In 2006 the number of recipients increased by 4.6 percent. In 2007 the number of student allowance recipients increased by a further 5 percent, and levels are expected to continue increasing in the future. Ten years ago tertiary fees were increasing by over ten percent a year, while allowance eligibility declined and students paid interest on their borrowing, even while still studying. Today there is no interest paid on student loans while students are living in New Zealand, fee increases are regulated and allowance eligibility has been widened. Ten years from now there will be no parental income testing of student allowances, fees increases will continue to be regulated and no interest will be paid on student loans. Labour will continue to make tertiary education more affordable for students and their families. Our efforts have been unashamedly centred on students and on making improvements to the student support system. We have already reduced the median time it takes to pay back a loan (for a student who stays in New Zealand) from eight years in 1999 to four years in 2005, and we intend to see it come down even further. We will keep student loans interest-free, and continue to set limits on fee increases through fee maxima. We will also continue to make scholarships available for students. From the beginning of 2009 Labour will make it easier for more students to receive a student allowance, by reducing the age at which parental income is considered and by further increasing the parental income threshold for student allowances. We will continue to extend the eligibility of student allowances in 2010 and 2011 and abolish the parental income test altogether in 2012. Labour will increase student allowance eligibility as follows: From 1 January 2009, the parental income threshold will increase from its 2009 level (approximately $45,743) to approximately $50,318 (already announced) From 1 January 2010, the threshold will increase to $70,000 497
From 1 January 2011, the threshold will increase again to $100,000 From 1 January 2012, the parental income test will be abolished altogether.
In 2004, Labour introduced Step Up Scholarships for students studying human and animal health bachelor degrees, and in 2005 these scholarships were extended to science and technology subjects. The scholarships assist students in paying compulsory tuition fees and are especially targeted at raising participation levels by people from low-income backgrounds and those who might, due to financial pressures, feel otherwise unable to enrol at a tertiary institution. From 1 January 2008, funding for the scholarships has been increased and the scholarships have been redesigned to be more accessible to a wider range of students. We also support the recognition of excellence whilst studying. The introduction of our Bonded Merit Scholarships in 2006 is representative of the governments support for tomorrows leaders, scientists, academics and businesspeople. Bonded Merit Scholarships reward outstanding students with up to $3,000 per annum for course fees for up to four years. In 2007, the success of this programme saw us doubling the number of awards from 500 to 1,000 last year and increasing to 1,500 from January 2009. In the near term, the prospect of fall out from the international crisis also requires us to have new methods of financial support for workers needing to retrain. Labour will introduce a new retraining allowance, on the same basis as a student allowance, but with no spousal income test, for workers who have been in the workforce for at least five years and have been made redundant. In the modern world, skills are increasingly important, both for individuals and for the economy as a whole. Careers are also becoming more complex with people more likely to change jobs and even occupations over the course of their working life. That will often require a period of retraining. In other words, learning is now lifelong. It is not something that stops when we leave school or finish an apprenticeship. Labour recognises this and is putting in place measures to support workers to gain new skills throughout their working lives. Labour will also introduce a retraining allowance available to those who have been in the workforce for ten years and wish to upgrade their skills or retrain in a new area. This will provide an alternative to the Student Allowance for people who have used their 200 weeks Student Allowance entitlement. These allowances will be available for up to a year for enrolment in a recognised full time course. The course will generally need to be of at least twelve full-time weeks duration. The Unemployment Benefit (in training) is already available for courses of up to twelve weeks. Strong Proven Leadership 498
Labour will also protect the integrity of the student support system by continuing to provide loans only to those studying in approved courses, and by continuing to lend for fees only where there is evidence fees have been paid.
International Education
International education provides a range of economic, educational and social benefits to New Zealand. It contributes $2.3 billion dollars a year to the economy, and has significant spill-over benefits for tourism and investment. International education helps equip New Zealand students to thrive in an interconnected world. Opportunities range from widening young peoples cultural horizons, through to the formation of lifetime research collaborations and international business partnerships forged by people who spent time at school or university together. At the same time, international students are enriched by their education and living experiences in New Zealand. Our education providers are also strengthened academically and financially through international linkages. Research institutions are enriched by smart doctoral students, many of whom continue on to post-doctoral study here. This has been assisted by the recent introduction of domestic fees for international doctoral students, resulting in a lift from 700 students in 2005 to 1,500 in 2007. Some of these students will want to stay and will be able to stay. International education has become a more mature sector over the course of this decade. The quality assurance is better than before, the policy settings continue to improve, the market development is deepening and the sector has a growing resilience and a determination to expand. Labour recognises that it is a sector that continues to seek more maturation and self determination. Labour will continue to support Education New Zealands development of the sector, with emphasis on new market development, a high quality educational experience for overseas students, and an appropriate emphasis on good pastoral care. We will also continue to provide ongoing support for generic promotion. Like tourism or filmmaking, international education is an export earning industry that works because people or businesses choose to come here rather than somewhere else. Labour will continue to support generic promotion of New Zealand education internationally in order to ensure the best value for money.
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Export education is a still maturing sector. Perhaps that should not be surprising given that the level of offshore demand is itself rapidly changing. But aside from still maturing markets, domestically we have not yet resolved the roles of the many agencies involved in order to develop a shared view of the size of the sector, its likely mix and so on. Labour will ensure high levels of co-ordination between various government agencies and Education New Zealand, including devolving further functions as the opportunity arises.
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A Prosperous and Sustainable Tourism Sector
Labours policy for Tourism
2008
502
Introduction
A thriving tourism industry is vital to New Zealands economic wellbeing. International tourism is New Zealands single biggest export earner, contributing $8.8 billion to our economy. Total tourism expenditure last year was $20.1 billion. The tourism industry contributes more than 9 percent of our countrys Gross Domestic Product and directly employs more than 108,000 full time equivalent employees. Labours vision is of a tourism sector that is prosperous and sustainable. In a challenging international economic environment, where commodity prices such as aviation fuel are high and concerns over the environmental impact of long haul flights will increase, the industry faces uncertainty. In response to this, Labour will work to ensure sustainable and continued growth in international visitor numbers, bed nights and yield. We will strengthen our focus on sustainable eco-tourism and mitigation of the effect of tourism on the environment.
International tourism expenditure 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Labour has achieved much for tourism. We have worked closely with industry to plan a sustainable future for the sector through the New Zealand Tourism Strategy 2015, supported sustainability in the sector by establishing the Sustainable Tourism Advisors in Regions (STAR) programme, and worked with industry to establish and expand the Qualmark Green criteria. We have supported tourism communities through the Tourism Demand Subsidy Scheme, and supported the development of valuable, but not commercially viable, projects through the Tourism Facilities Development Grant programme. Labour has tackled skills shortages in the industry by working closely with the Tourism Industry Association to launch the Tourism and Hospitality and Workforce Strategy, and marketed New Zealand overseas through our innovative 100% Pure New Zealand campaign and the travelling Rugby Ball roadshow. Labour will continue to support, and work in partnership with, industry to ensure we deliver a world class tourism experience, protect the environment, and create prosperity and investment within the sector. We will continue our record of rolling out innovative schemes that are supportive of the tourism industry and communities that are dependent on tourism.
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Increased funding for marketing campaigns

Labour has invested heavily in marketing New Zealand overseas, with significant success. We have launched a number of innovative marketing campaigns in key markets. Our 100% Pure New Zealand campaign has been remarkably successful overseas, and we have leveraged the success of the Lord of the Rings film trilogy. We showcased New Zealand at the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France with an innovative inflatable rugby ball-shaped cinema (which is now moving to London) and launched the Whats On campaign to highlight key events and experiences around the country. Funding overseas marketing campaigns to attract international visitors is a vital investment in our economy. For every dollar spent in key markets, the New Zealand economy benefits by a factor of between 11 and 26. We will continue to market New Zealand as a 100% eco-tourism destination through innovative overseas campaigns. Labour will actively promote marketing campaigns in key overseas markets. Now is an important time to further invest in marketing New Zealand as a tourist destination. Growth in international visitor numbers is slowing. This is attributed to the current international economic climate, especially high commodity prices (specifically oil), and a high New Zealand dollar. Concerns about climate change and the environmental impact of long haul flights to New Zealand are likely to affect the number of international tourists visiting here in the near future. Increased investment to draw more overseas visitors to New Zealand will temper this slowed growth in visitors.
Full Implementation of the New Zealand Tourism Strategy 2015

In response to a number of challenges facing the tourism industry, Labour in Government has worked closely with the sector to develop the New Zealand Tourism Strategy 2015. The Strategy is an important framework to secure and strengthen the future of our tourism industry. The NZTS has the goal that In 2015, tourism is valued as the leading contributor to a sustainable New Zealand economy. Earlier this year, we released a detailed plan of 92 actions for the Strategys implementation. Labour will continue to work closely with the tourism industry to implement the New Zealand Tourism Strategy 2015. Implementation of the Strategy will see the continuation of many current schemes such as the Sustainable Tourism Advisors in Regions (STAR) programme and Strong Proven Leadership 504
Qualmark. The strategy lays out a whole-of-government approach to the needs of the tourism industry and communities. It strengthens our focus on sustainability and environmentally friendly tourism, Maori/cultural tourism, and whole-of-industry approaches to pricing and campaigns to increase occupancy rates and profitability. The Strategy will ensure that: New Zealand continues to deliver a world-class visitor experience Our natural environment is protected and enhanced for all to use and enjoy The tourism workforce is further developed and upskilled Communities reliant on, or affected by, tourism are supported and have an excellent standard of infrastructure and amenities The tourism industry is profitable, attracts investment, and is a sustainable driver of the New Zealand economy.
Establishment of a Tourism Innovation Fund

New Zealanders are entrepreneurial people. Encouraging and fostering entrepreneurial ideas in the sector is critical in maintaining our reputation in an increasingly competitive international tourism environment and in growing visitor numbers, bed nights and yield. To encourage business ideas that may have difficulty attracting commercial investment, Labour will set up an annual contestable fund to provide seed funding for tourism ventures. Labour will create a contestable Tourism Innovation Fund to provide seed funding for innovative tourism ideas. Labour has a very good record in providing development assistance to small and medium enterprises. New Zealand businesses are currently eligible to apply for a variety of small business development and assistance programmes. However, there is currently no seed funding specifically for commercial tourism ventures. (The Tourism Facilities Development Grant Programme is only available for non-commercial tourism facilities.) Labour is committed to aiding the development of tourism businesses that might find it difficult to attract initial private capital or who need a one-off capital injection to bring an entrepreneurial idea closer to fruition. Given the tourism industrys crucial Strong Proven Leadership 505
role in the New Zealand economy, this will be an important investment in New Zealands economic future. The Innovation Fund will run in tandem with the Tourism Facilities Development Grant Programme. It will also complement the work programme laid out in the New Zealand Tourism Strategy 2015 to assist tourism businesses.
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A sustainable and efficient transport system for New Zealand
Labours Policy for Transport
2008
508
Introduction
We all use transport in our daily lives. The challenge we face is to improve the ways in which we travel so that we cause as little damage as possible to the environment and minimise harmful effects on others. At the same time we need a transport system that assists economic development, is accessible to all New Zealanders, and remains affordable. Labour will continue to ensure people and goods can move around New Zealand safely, with an affordable, integrated, accessible and sustainable transport system. We will address the challenges of climate change, fuel shortages, and price fluctuations through a range of initiatives including more efficient public transport, new technologies and new fuels. We will keep investing heavily in roading infrastructure, in building the capacity of public transport, and in enabling rail and coastal shipping to play a more significant role in moving freight around New Zealand.
Working Across All Modes of Transport

All modes of transport must play their part in a world class transport system. In the past decade Labour has invested substantially in improving our roads. Since 1999 we have increased annual spending on roading from $850 million in 1999/2000 to over $1.9 billion in 2008/09. We have also increased public transport funding so that it is more than 15 times higher than the $41 million spent in 1999/2000 (not including the rail buy back), and enabled regional authorities to play a greater part in co-ordinating public transport services. Specific initiatives include taking the majority shareholding in Air New Zealand, returning the railways to public ownership, starting to re-build the rail network and developing and funding a strategy for domestic sea freight. Labour has taken a strategic approach to integrated transport planning across all modes through the 2002 NZ Transport Strategy which was updated in 2008. Our achievements include: promoting the use of alternative fuels and encouraging the development of electric vehicles; increasing funding for research into sustainable and environmentallyresponsible energy resources such as biofuels that do not compete with food production; 509
strengthening transport regulatory and safety agencies and services; and legislating to ensure all money collected from road users is spent only on transport.
The New Zealand Transport Strategy 2008 sets a number of specific targets in sustainability, road safety and freight that Labour is committed to achieving. Labour will ensure there is clarity in all our funding decisions; that transport infrastructure, including rail, road, shipping and ports, is used to best effect, and that there is sufficient passenger and freight carrying capacity to meet the needs of communities and businesses both now and into the future. We will work to make public transport accessible for everyone, including those with disabilities and older travellers. We will ensure that planning for future land use developments considers the impact on, and need for, transport services and facilities. Labour has made a substantial start to these goals with the 2008 New Zealand Transport Strategy, Sea Change Domestic Shipping Strategy and the Government Policy Statement on Land Transport Funding. We will build on these to deliver comprehensive transport solutions to the increasingly complex problems resulting from global oil and climate pressures.
Public Transport
Labour believes that if New Zealanders are to move towards more sustainable transport, we must create a public transport system that is a realistic alternative to private car use. It is therefore essential that New Zealands public transport services are affordable, integrated and accessible, safe, responsive to change and above all economically, socially and environmentally sustainable. Labour will continue to encourage the increased use and supply of public transport. New Zealanders are already seeing the benefit. During this decade there has been a significant increase in investment in public transport. Total central government public transport investment in 2008/09 is more than 15 times higher than in 1999/00. Including capital investment in rail infrastructure, public transport spending is forecast to be around $640 million in 2008/09 (these figures do not include the buy back of rail), compared with investment of $41 million in 1999/00. Labour will continue to increase funding for public transport and energyefficient freight transport modes such as rail.
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Major initiatives in the past nine years have included the $340 million Northern Busway project and the buy back of rail. We have recently announced another major project: the electrification of Aucklands rail network. Labour will provide around $500 million as its share to help Auckland Regional Council ensure that by 2013 at the latest, Aucklands rail network will be electrified, modern, will run frequently and on time. Labour will support integrated ticketing so that it becomes a reality in Auckland by 2010. This will mean that public transport users can move easily and conveniently between different forms of transport and transport operators. Labour will ensure the Kapiti line out of Wellington is double-tracked and electrified to enable services every 15 minutes to destinations as far north as Waikanae. We will also continue to provide free off-peak public transport for SuperGold Card holders. The new Public Transport Management Act 2008 will enable Regional Councils to improve New Zealands public transport system by imposing greater controls over commercial public transport services, and allowing them to require that any or all public transport services be provided under contract. This gives regional councils the tools to run public transport services as effectively as possible, so that passengers can expect travel on public transport to become much simpler and more efficient. Labour will continue work in partnership with regional government, businesses and the broader community to achieve an optimal and sustainable public transport network.
Transport Infrastructure
Labour will ensure that transport infrastructure, including rail, road, coastal shipping and public transport networks, provides sufficient capacity to meet the needs of communities, and businesses now and in the future. This will require comprehensive co-ordination of infrastructure planning and funding. During this decade total Government investment in transport has increased by more than 180 percent, from just over a billion to over three billion. Central government spending on roading has more than doubled from $850 million to a forecast allocation of over $1.9 billion in the current year. This includes both capital and maintenance expenditure on State Highways and central government funding for local roads. Strong Proven Leadership 511
Transport investment as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product has gone from just under 1 percent in 1999/2000 to around 2.1 percent in 2008/2009 (including KiwiRail). Labour will continue with the approach it introduced in 2008 of producing Government Policy Statements on Land Transport Funding every three years to set out the levels of funding allocated to different areas of the transport system. Regional and local authorities will consult with their communities on transport proposals and priorities, and will be able to implement Regional Fuel Taxes to fund local initiatives. Labour will also consult with key stakeholders on long-term transport planning priorities. Labour is committed to world-class roading, public transport and walking and cycling infrastructure in Auckland. We will employ a range of funding approaches including a regional fuel tax and, where possible, public-private partnerships (PPPs) that provide value for money. Labour will dedicate all revenue from petrol tax, road user charges and motor vehicle registration fees to land transport. Labour is investing more than $1 billion in Aucklands transport network this year alone. Of that, $170 million is forecast to be spent on local roads; $490 million on State highways; and $350 million on public transport. Labour aims to complete the Western Ring Route around Auckland by 2015. The current estimate for the largest-remaining section, the Waterview Connection, is $1.89 billion. This section will effectively complete the Western Ring Route and realise the full transport and economic benefits to be gained. The current preferred option to complete the route is by tunnel. Labour will proceed with this project by means of a public-private partnership provided that further advice from officials supports the findings of private/public sector working party investigation Labour commissioned this year. Labour is committed to first-class road, rail and other public transport infrastructure outside Auckland. In Wellington, Labour will release $405 million earmarked for the Transmission Gully project once the region reconfirms its preferred option. Budget 2007 provided major investment in urban rail development in Wellington as well Auckland. The Canterbury region will receive $33.5 million in funding over the next four years (2008 -2012) to invest in transport infrastructure. We will also continue to fund progressive development of the Waikato Expressway, with priority given to sections of the Expressway where specific safety issues need to be addressed.
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Labour has introduced a new system that ensures that all revenue from petrol tax, road user charges and motor vehicle licensing fees goes towards the cost of maintaining and building new roads Labour is committed to ensuring that funding mechanisms for land transport infrastructure are fair to all road users including truckies. We have commissioned a comprehensive independent review of the road user charges model, to look at the way the costs of maintaining and building the land transport network are allocated, and how these charges are collected. If this review shows that the system is unfair on the heavy vehicle industry, then Labour will make changes to address this.
Sustainable Transport
Labour has already taken big steps towards the goal of halving New Zealands per capita transport emissions by 2040. Investment in public transport has surged 15-fold in this decade. The buy-back of our railway system and the establishment of KiwiRail present a real opportunity to build a sustainable nationwide transport network. Implementing legislation passed this year to introduce sustainable biofuels is a first step away from fuels such as petrol that come from unsustainable fossil fuel sources.

Similarly, our ambition to be among the leading countries to widely deploy electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids marks the beginnings of a new era of energy independence and low emissions in transport. Labour intends to prepare the way for a large-scale roll-out of electric vehicles. We have already established a vehicle emissions reduction group focussing on electric vehicles. We expect to see electric cars starting to arrive and being used in New Zealand between 2010 and 2015. The numbers will grow slowly at the start, but volumes will increase as supply increases and costs decrease. As production of electric vehicles ramps up internationally, the cost of the electric battery, which is the main driver of cost, can be expected to reduce markedly, and prices will come down. Labour will also build on our clean green electricity generation to develop partnerships with electric vehicle manufacturers. While it will be up to industry to develop electric vehicle technology, there is a role for government in establishing an environment that facilitates its uptake. Strong Proven Leadership 513
Labour will plan for the introduction of a nationwide infrastructure to recharge electric vehicles. Electric vehicles used for local travel can be re-charged from the owners home. Vehicles used for longer distances, however, will need a supporting infrastructure of charging stations to enable recharging. We will need to work through a variety of issues about the public infrastructure required for people to charge their vehicles during a journey. The cost of the technology is likely to be expensive, especially for the sort of high voltage facilities that would allow shorter charging times. Questions about how these facilities will be funded, where they will be located and relevant health and safety issues will also need to be addressed. Major centres with an interest in electric vehicles such as California, London and Tokyo are likely to confront many of these challenges first and we will be able to learn from their experience. New Zealand could, however, be in position to be the first country to set up a nationwide infrastructure for charging electric vehicles.
Road Safety
Labour has set an ambitious target for reducing the number of road deaths and injuries. Labour will introduce a range of road safety measures aimed at reducing road deaths to no more than 200 a year, and serious injuries to no more than 1,500 a year, by 2040. The emphasis on enforcement for many road safety rules has moved from the issuing of fines to the issuing of increased demerit points for law breakers. We have consistently invested in road safety advertising campaigns to support the police by focusing on the highest areas of enforceable risk which include speeding, drink driving, intersection behaviour and safety belts. Our advertising will also continue to focus on the issue of fatigue. A cross-agency Driver Fatigue Strategy has been launched to help address the road safety risks of driver fatigue. There have been television advertisements aimed at showing drivers the potentially deadly consequences of driving while tired. Associated with fatigue, rumble strips (used to alert fatigued drivers and stop them from running off the road) are being progressively retrofitted to roads. Labour is consulting on the possibility of introducing a compulsory third party vehicle insurance regime. This will address issues of equity and road safety. At-fault insured motorists would be protected against potentially hefty costs in the event of a crash and Strong Proven Leadership 514
responsible drivers wouldnt be left out of pocket. It will be a major incentive in getting people to take greater responsibility for their driving behaviour, especially younger drivers. We are also currently consulting on banning the use of hand-held cellphones while driving a vehicle. Changes are being made to the Graduated Driver Licensing System for motorcyclists, with the aim of encouraging learner and restricted motorcycle licence holders to drive less powerful motorcycles. We also want to ensure there are training incentives so novice riders can progress through their licence, such as putting a cap on the time riders spend on a learner licence. We have also moved progressively to reduce the number of excessively noisy vehicles on the roads. From June 2008, owners of vehicles with a modified noisy exhaust have had to repair it or pay for a metered noise test to ensure it is less than 95 decibels. The vehicle must meet this test in order to pass its Warrant of Fitness.
Freight
Freight demand around New Zealand is estimated to double by 2040, creating extra pressure on existing infrastructure. Products for export, including produce from agriculture and other goods, need to be transported safely and efficiently. New Zealands roads are increasingly under pressure but alternative transport modes such as coastal shipping and rail transport will help meet the need for more environmentally-sustainable freight transport. Labour will enable effective use of different methods of transport to achieve a sustainable and effective supply chain for goods and produce. Labour will remove institutional, financial and infrastructure barriers that have prevented an increase in the movement of domestic freight by rail and sea. Expansion of coastal shipping infrastructure, including development of ports will help to meet increased demand for the movement of freight. Our recently-released freight study has provided a clear picture of the current state-ofplay in terms of domestic freight. Currently roads carry around 70 percent of tonne/kilometres in New Zealand, with rail and shipping sharing around 15 percent each; air carries 0.3 percent. Labour will aim to increase the proportion of freight movement by coastal shipping and rail to 30 percent and 25 percent respectively by Strong Proven Leadership 515
2040 to provide greater efficiency for exporters and to strengthen our domestic economy. Labour has a considered and carefully-researched approach to shifting freight around New Zealand through multiple modes of transport. Apart from the freight study, other significant elements of Labours approach include the buyback of rail and the Sea Freight Strategy, which will breathe new life into domestic coastal shipping. We are also carrying out the heavy truck trial, a pilot designed to test heavier vehicles on specified routes where rail is not available. As well as this, Labour will work with the land transport freight sector, including producers and retailers, to promote supply-chain efficiencies that reduce direct and environmental costs. We will work with key stakeholders to explore measures such as the additional back-loading of freight vehicles, and shared warehousing to ensure that freight trucks dont travel empty.
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Supporting our Veterans
Labours policy for Veterans Affairs
2008
518
Introduction
Labour is committed to the ongoing care and wellbeing of veterans who have served our country around the world. Labour recognises the contribution that families of veterans make in the service of New Zealand and is committed to supporting their important role. Labour is focused on developing a comprehensive understanding of the changing face of our military deployment and the challenges this presents in the care of the veteran community. Labour will continue to build a broad and meaningful body of knowledge to support effective decision-making on veterans issues. Increasingly, the long-term support and care of the veterans of conflict will become a key factor in the recruitment of citizens into a military career. Those that willingly put themselves in harms way in the service of our country need to know they will be supported when they return from conflict. They need to know they will get the help they need to re-integrate into civilian life at the conclusion of their career and that their families will also be able to access meaningful advice and support for the role they play in the service of New Zealand. The nature of conflict around the world continues to change. Also, new technologies influence the way we organise our defence force and how our forces are utilised. Our armed forces are becoming increasingly diverse, and this presents new challenges for service delivery. Labour wants services for veterans in this country to be holistic, comprehensive and flexible. Labour wants government to be well-equipped to identify and understand emerging issues for veterans so that services can be tailored to meet the needs of each deployment. Our veterans deserve nothing less.
A record of continued improvement

Access to entitlements for all veterans is easier than it has ever been. Today, Veterans Affairs New Zealand has a case management system, with the integration of Veterans Affairs New Zealand into the New Zealand Defence Force providing a single point of contact for all enquires about entitlements and services.
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The introduction of presumptive lists in 2007 also made access to support easier for hundreds of veterans. Any veteran with a disability that appears on the list corresponding to his or her theatre of service is now automatically accepted for a War Disablement Pension. Today, 18,000 veterans benefit from a range of business discounts, government entitlements and local authority services and concessions through the Veterans Super Gold Card. Ten years ago Access to government services for veterans was fragmented and veterans had to engage with multiple government departments. Today Veterans Affairs has an integrated case management system that provides a single point of contact for veterans. Case managers broker the services of other government agencies. Ten years from nowServices will be increasingly tailored to meet the specific needs of the changing veterans community.
Honouring the commitments of the past

Over the last decade, Labour has worked to gain a better understanding of the issues facing our veterans. Labour has worked to develop a constructive relationship with veterans in New Zealand, to learn from experience and prevent a repeat of past mistakes. Since signing the Memorandum of Understanding with Vietnam Veterans in 2006, government has made strong progress supporting its implementation. On 28 May 2008, the Prime Minister delivered an apology in the House of Representatives to Vietnam veterans for the manner in which their loyal service in the name of New Zealand was not recognised as it should have been and for the inadequate support extended to them and their families after their return home. This historic event marked the beginning of a new partnership between government and veterans of the conflict in Vietnam. Since 2006, government has fulfilled many of its promises to Vietnam veterans. Tribute 08, a period of commemoration and celebration for Vietnam veterans, was held from 30 May to 1 June 2008 in Wellington. Organised by a committee of veteran representatives, Government contributed significant resources to facilitate the event that finally gave Vietnam veterans the welcome home they deserved.
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About 2.5 million dollars worth of ex gratia payments have been made to veterans and their families. A sum of $800,000 has been distributed to about a hundred veterans and families from the Vietnam Veterans and their Families Trust. In 2008, government rolled out free, one-off medical checks for all Vietnam veterans. Labour is committed to the on-going monitoring of the health of Vietnam veterans. Labour will continue to strengthen partnerships with veterans from all deployments. Labour is committed to finishing the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding. Labour will appoint a panel of medical and other experts to review available scientific research on veterans issues on an on-going basis and make recommendations to government about the list of prescribed conditions. This expert panel will examine the rates for the War Disablement Pension. The panel will have responsibility for accessing and monitoring research and make recommendations to government. Labour will use this resource for a broad range of veterans issues, not just the issues facing Vietnam veterans. Labour will work to establish centres of excellence for providing information and support for treatment of conditions prevalent amongst veterans. This service will have the flexibility to meet the needs of veterans into the future.
Improving the legislative framework

The existing War Pensions Act does not reflect the changing nature of the military environment. It also does not adequately address the unique and important contribution that families of veterans make. The current legislation is focused on the physical effects of service. As we become more aware of the psychological effects of service, this will increasingly influence our decision-making. New legislation will need to reflect this. We want legislation that recognises the contribution of families and spouses. We want legislation that defines a simple and streamlined system of care for our veterans where entitlements are clear, fair and appropriate. Labour will complete the review of the War Pensions Act and ensure that it is replaced with modern, flexible and forward-looking legislation. Strong Proven Leadership 521
Ensuring effective service delivery

World War II veterans continue to be our largest group of veterans. An ageing population means this group has an increasing level of disability and therefore an increasing demand for War Disablement Pensions. Increased awareness of entitlements within the veteran community also contributes to demand. Service delivery must continue to become more efficient and effective. On 1 July 2008, Veterans Affairs New Zealand became responsible for the end-to-end delivery of the War Disablement Pension. It ceased to be a semi-autonomous body and became an integrated part of the New Zealand Defence Force. This reflects the lifelong duty of care that the Chief of the Defence Force has to those who serve, and have served, under his command. It is critical that the re-engineering of delivery of services results in tangible benefits for veterans. Labour will monitor the progress of the integration of Veterans Affairs New Zealand into the New Zealand Defence Force and ensure long term improvements in efficiency, quality of case management and assistance to veterans.
Understanding the Changing Veterans Community

Increasingly, deployments are for shorter periods. An individual can be deployed to many different environments over the duration of their military career. Women have assumed a much more varied role within the military in recent decades, including combat roles. The ethnic composition of the forces is also becoming increasingly diverse. All these things mean the needs of veterans are becoming more and more variable and complex. Labour will ensure systems are in place to maintain on-going relationships with veterans so that emerging issues are able to be identified early. To develop our understanding of the challenges an increasingly diverse military presents, effective information collection and research is essential. It is also important to maintain good contact with veterans after they return from deployments. Labour will support the policy capability of Veterans Affairs New Zealand to ensure comprehensive and well-informed advice is available for decisions makers.
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Real Opportunity and Real Choice for All Women
Labours policy for Womens Issues
2008
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Introduction
Our country was founded on a deep desire to see genuine equality among its people. We proved our commitment to this ideal early, becoming the worlds first democracy to extend the vote to women some 115 years ago. But this was only a first step. Today, after a century of progressive change, New Zealand women have full equality before the law. But we know the agenda does not end there. We know that barriers to seeing all women thrive and succeed remain. Supporting women of all ages and backgrounds to reach their full potential by providing them with genuine choices and opportunities is a core Labour value. Over the past ten years, social and economic changes have made a real difference in the lives of women. Access to education and affordable healthcare and has dramatically increased. Steps have been taken to help women and their families find a better balance between work and home life. Progress has been made on pay and employment equity. When former Labour Prime Minister David Lange opened the Ministry of Women's Affairs 20 years ago, he said its mission was to demolish the structure of inequality. We still have some way to go before we reach that goal. Women on average still earn less than men and continue to be under-represented in leadership roles. There is still much we can change to improve the economic stability of women. Too many women still feel forced to return to work after childbirth earlier than they wish. That is why work-life balance will remain a focus for Labour. Overwhelmingly, women are the victims of domestic and sexual violence that occurs all too often. We must support the health and wellbeing of women so they have the security and confidence to reach their full potential and help grow strong communities for tomorrow.
Economic Stability
Equality does not stop at ending legal discrimination. Any vision for full participation in society must include a commitment to improving the economic wellbeing of all women, and seeing them succeed at every level of business and enterprise. As the last decade drew to an end, women were confronted with numerous barriers to economic success, from benefit cuts and market-based rents for state housing to workplace laws that discouraged and devalued the contribution of women to our collective economic life. Strong Proven Leadership 525
As this decade has unfolded, these barriers have been progressively lowered or removed. Increases in the minimum wage, more annual leave and financial support for families through Working for Families have provided new opportunities. The abolition of interest off student loans took a giant step towards removing the burden of debt from a whole generation of young women. These changes have delivered results. Working for Families has now helped make it easier for 370,000 families to work and raise a family. Over the last decade, womens participation in the labour force has increased from 57.6 percent in 1997 to an all-time record of 61.5 percent last year. However, with the pay gap between men and women still around 12 percent, we know there is more to do. Ten years ago women disproportionately bore the burden of benefit cuts, marketbased rents for state housing, and unfair workplace laws. Today more women than ever before are taking advantage of new opportunities. Ten years from now the pay gap between women and men will have all but disappeared and women will be taking their place in leadership positions throughout our economy as often as men. In government, Labour has been committed to improving the economic wellbeing of all women and seeing them succeed at every level. The pay gap is being tackled through a Pay and Employment Equity Plan of Action. The plan aims to ensure remuneration, job choice and job opportunities in the public service, health and education sectors are not affected by gender. We will continue to develop policies that ensure that overtime, pay and employment equity are addressed. This includes support for Low Pay campaigns, protecting legislation that provides for and encourages increased unionisation and continued research and public education and other legislative change as required. We also remain committed to increasing the minimum wage. Labour will guarantee annual adjustments to the minimum wage during the next term of government, so that the minimum wage at least keeps pace with increases in the average wage or the consumer price index, whichever is the greater. As workforce participation rises, several new challenges arise. One is supporting women to take up roles beyond more traditional occupations. Labour will work towards eliminating barriers that prevent women from entering male-dominated apprenticeships and industries. Finding women in leadership roles within our economy is still an exception, rather than the norm. Labour recognises we still need to encourage greater participation by women on public and private sector boards as well as in positions of leadership in the public sector.
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Labour will continue to increase the percentage of women on public sector boards and encourage greater representation of women on private sector boards. We need to provide help for women in business where needed. Support is available through Industry NZ, Venture Capital and enterprise agencies, and we will continue to encourage women to take advantage of these opportunities. But reaching the top also involves role models and sharing a sense of what can be achieved. Labour will encourage mentoring schemes for women interested in greater leadership participation and develop policies that support women in the public sector to attain senior management positions. Some New Zealand women face more challenges when aiming for success than others. That is why Labour will continue to increase support for disabled women in employment through vocational services and community participation. Ensuring women have a secure future into retirement is also a priority for Labour. Labour will continue to encourage and support womens retirement investment through KiwiSaver.
Work-Life Balance
On average, New Zealanders already spend more hours working in paid employment each year than many other OECD countries including the United Kingdom and Australia. If all we are doing is adding hours of paid work without addressing other issues, then we are simply sacrificing quality of life for greater economic output. Labour believes in building opportunities for women to work if they choose. We know there are many other expectations on women to fulfil roles as mothers and caregivers, as partners and workers. That is why Labour is committed to supporting the work-life balance for all women. Over the past decade, the idea of work-life balance has moved from rhetoric towards reality. Not only does the introduction of 20 hours quality free early childhood education help give children the best possible start in life, it also provides new choices for mothers. Workplace laws have also been modernised to ensure women have the time and facilities in the workplace for breastfeeding. Since its introduction, paid parental leave has given 130,000 families the opportunity to spend more time with their newborn babies. Labour believes that a longer period of paid parental leave would be ideal and will work to extend this provision as resources allow. Labour will ensure that all workers with caring responsibilities have the right to request flexible working hours. Strong Proven Leadership 527
Labour passed amendments to the Employment Relations Act 2000 to create minimum standards in the workplace in respect of the protection and promotion of infant feeding and the provision of rest and meal breaks. These amendments also support government policy concerning the choices of employees, particularly when it comes to their work/life balance and parenting responsibilities. Minimum entitlements to rest and meal breaks during a working period are already in the vast majority of collective agreements. However, anecdotal evidence suggests some sectors the service and manufacturing sectors in particular and sectors where there are many vulnerable workers - may be providing less than optimal breaks. Labour will ensure that women in the workplace have rest and meal breaks and space to breastfeed where practicable.
Womens Health and Wellbeing

Labour recognises that better health for women leads to better outcomes for themselves and their families. It ensures they are able to take advantage of more opportunities in order to reach their full potential.
Strong families have strong futures

Over the past decade, we have experienced a major shift in attitude towards family violence. Where it was once difficult to get people to even acknowledge family violence, today more and more Kiwis are aware of the problem. The success of public awareness campaigns such as the Its Not OK has confirmed just how much progress in changing attitudes has been made. Recent statistics have seen an increase in reported levels of domestic violence due to these types of campaigns. Nevertheless, every single incidence of domestic violence is one too many. Our priority is to improve protections for women against violence and improve access to health and parenting support services. Labour will pass the Domestic Violence Reform Bill. The Bill, introduced in September, is designed to enable Police to issue on the spot protection orders; strengthen penalties for protection order breaches; improve the response of the Criminal Court and the Family Court to victims of family violence; and to provide better protection for children in Family Court matters. Breaking away from volatile living arrangements requires legal assistance in order to ensure that children are made safe, or to safeguard finances and property. Labour believes women who need to leave a violent relationship must have the legal support necessary to build a safe and secure new life for themselves and their families.
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Labour will undertake periodic reviews of the threshold for legal aid for women needing to access support for family court and other domestic proceedings. Ensuring vulnerable women get the help they need is essential, as is supporting the non-government sector and non-profit sector to provide this help to women in their time of need. Labour will implement Pathway to Partnership so that by 2012 all contracts with non-governmental organisations for essential services for children, young people and families will be fully funded. The sustainable funding model will give community providers more certainty so they can spend less time worrying about paying the bills and more time focusing on outcomes. It will improve the ability to plan ahead, attract and retain qualified staff, improve service effectiveness and achieve good outcomes for New Zealand women and their families. The new model will mean there will be annual adjustments for inflation, as well as ongoing assessment and adjustments in relation to the volume of services required. Social services for children and families will be community-driven, collaborative, inter-agency and outcome-driven. Parents who need help or guidance with parenthood should be able to get the help they need when they need it. Labour invests in a range of programmes to support parenting. These range from general parenting courses to more targeted high-need courses for specific families at risk. Labour will continue to place a firm focus on the value of positive parenting strategies. We will continue to invest in SKIP Strategies with Kids, Information for Parents providing resources and training to assist in positive parenting. Community-based child and family service providers involved in the Pathway to Partnership play an important role in this area. Labour will support the development of parenting courses and long-term targeted programmes to improve the lives of families.
Addressing womens health

Women cannot take new opportunities to succeed if they are not well. It is essential that affordable, quality healthcare is available to all women throughout their lives. Over the past decade, access to affordable healthcare for all New Zealand women has dramatically increased. Doctor visits and prescription costs have dropped significantly. The average cost of seeing a GP is now just $26 for a consultation, and a million Kiwis pay less than $16. Prescription charges have dropped to around $3. In addition, women have far greater access than ever before to screening programmes for health conditions such as breast and cervical cancer. We can also empower women to Strong Proven Leadership 529
recognise the symptoms and consequences of Endometriosis and Osteoporosis and improve access to services. Focusing on primary care - before we become ill - continues to be the best approach in improving the health of all New Zealand women. Young women in particular need nationally consistent services. Labour will implement a nation-wide HPV vaccination programme that protects young women against the most common cause of cervical cancer. We can also address some of the other causes of poor health among young women. Labour will develop nationwide networks of services for women with eating and associated disorders and develop programmes to address binge drinking by young women. As more equity between genders is achieved, new research has highlighted inequalities between groups of women, in particular new migrants. Migrant women can have difficulty accessing support services, either through language barriers or simply because they are not aware services exist. Cultural barriers mean migrant women can be less likely to seek help when they need it. Labour recognises the specific health needs of refugee and immigrant women and will dedicate adequate resources to address these. For expectant parents, it is important we continue to provide free maternity services. We must also work to address workforce pressures in maternity care and to provide local access to reliable, safe midwifery and obstetric services in all areas. Additional midwife training placements begin next year, and initiatives to improve retention and overseas recruitment are underway. But there is more to do. Labour will improve the quality and quantity of post-natal support services for women and their families. Labour will develop one-stop-shop family centres so that information, advice and services to new parents and families with young children are accessible in one place. Services might range from lactation consultants and post-natal counselling, to care seat hire. Too often women dealing with a stressful pregnancy find their experiences vary depending on where they live. We will work to ensure a more timely and uniform provision of support across the country.
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Labour will work to address work force issues in maternity care and continue to ensure local access to reliable, safe midwifery and obstetric services across the country. It is important to us that access to maternity services is as convenient as possible, and womens choice of maternity services they want and need is facilitated. Labour recently announced a package of initiatives to address workforce pressures in the midwifery sector. This included expanding the midwife workforce in training by a third, retaining more midwives with post-graduate study and providing financial support to overseas-trained midwives. Labour is committed to full implementation of this package. Labour will ensure there is a high level of communication and coordination between midwives, GPs and obstetricians so that all mothers are provided with the postnatal care they need, including longer stays in maternity units where this is required. Communication between maternity carers is crucial to effective and safe clinical services. We will work to ensure that barriers to communication between these health professionals are identified and reduced to the greatest extent possible, and that mothers receive the highest level of professional care. Labour will continue to promote satisfactory outcomes for pregnancy, childbirth and aftercare through provision of nationwide quality care by qualified health professionals. All mothers and mothers-to-be have the right to the very best clinical care possible. Sometimes communication and co-ordination between caregivers falls down, resulting in a poorer standard of care. Labour will work to ensure that all clinical professionals provide the highest standard of care, that they are accountable for their standard of care, and that mothers receive stronger maternity unit care when needed. We are committed to providing timely and uniform provision of support to women under stress during pregnancy across the country. Labour will ensure nationwide equality of access to contraceptive education, information and provision in partnership with qualified health professionals. Women have the right to access quality information and support to make informed decisions about sex and contraception. Labour will work to ensure that qualified health professionals have the resources to provide this information and support, and that women do not face barriers in accessing them.
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Supporting and Celebrating the Next Generation
Labours Policy for Youth Affairs
2008
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Introduction
We have a dynamic youth population that has greater access to information and is more mobile, culturally diverse, and technologically aware than ever before. This offers great potential for the future of our country and our communities. There are huge opportunities to bring about positive change for young people by: fostering young peoples innovation and talent listening to young people and creating policies, programmes and services that work for them supporting young people with quality information to make good lifestyle choices harnessing the energy, enthusiasm, and freshness young people bring
Our young people today are tomorrows innovators, parents and leaders. Labour believes that investing in future growth by improving educational, employment and social opportunities is one of the best investments we can make to secure a strong future as a nation. Labour is also aware that young people today face many challenges, including drug and alcohol abuse, suicide, depression, obesity, teen pregnancy, and truancy. It is important that as a community we work to support and help them overcome those challenges. While these problems must be addressed, Labour believes that decision makers should not be locked into continually reacting to problems. Early intervention and focusing on recognising and developing the full potential of our youth is the way forward. We believe youth must have a voice in decision-making that affects them. Society should validate and affirm their identity, which may reflect their culture, ethnicity, gender and religion, as well as their age. Our vision is to ensure that young people growing up in New Zealand are supported, nurtured and have a sense of belonging to their community where their ideas are valued and they have a real ability to create solutions.
Youth Health
Every single young New Zealander deserves the best possible start in life. This means detecting and acting on any health problems early on. It means ensuring a strong Strong Proven Leadership 535
public health system that has health professionals and clinics in place to deliver the necessary services. Schools provide excellent opportunities to reach children and young people and promote healthy lifestyles. We are already doing this with healthier food options in New Zealands schools, and will continue to ensure that District Health Boards and Primary Health Organisations work closely with other agencies to deliver important health promotion initiatives. Labour will work towards more specialised adolescent services and support with a greater focus on the provision of health services at school. Youth Services may well operate differently to the standard primary care model. However, these alternative organisations, where appropriate, should receive primary care funding where they demonstrate success in reaching high-needs or hard-to-reach young people with health and disability needs. Labour will fund Youth Services, offering first-contact GP/Nurse Services through an alternative funding mechanism where necessary.
Schools Plus
We know that young people who stay in school, complete their qualifications, and move into further education and training have the best chance of accessing the full range of opportunities life has to offer. They are more likely to be able to care for themselves and their families, and achieve future economic independence and security. Labour will implement Schools Plus, our initiative to significantly reform the secondary school system by offering all young New Zealanders a stronger educational foundation. To ensure all young people are engaged and supported to achieve their potential through education, students and their families will develop a personalised learning plan. Labour will require a personalised education plan to be developed for every high school student to guide their learning. To support a personalised approach to learning, more teachers and support staff and improved careers guidance services will be needed in schools. Closer links will need to be built with local businesses, training providers and social agencies.
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Labour will provide more secondary teachers and other staff to improve careers guidance and increase the support available for young people in school and in the community to remain engaged in learning. Our new school curriculum will enable teachers to enliven their teaching practice, drawing on real-world examples to better engage students to learn about the values and core skills needed to be successful in the 21st century. At the same time, new study options such as Gateway and Modern Apprenticeships are providing more choices for young people to continue learning while gaining valuable workplace experience to lay the foundation for a career in the trades. Innovative programmes like Youth Apprenticeships, already available in 20 schools, are the key to engaging young people who currently leave school too early. Enabling more students to experience tertiary-level courses while still at school will also broaden the range of study options available to them. Labour will make Youth Apprenticeships available to all secondary schools and increase the range of other education and training pathways available. Ensuring that out-of-school education providers, such as the alternative education network, prioritise student learning and achievement will help keep the focus on learning irrespective of the setting in which it takes place. Labour will strengthen alternative education and other out-of-school learning options to ensure young people are supported to improve their educational achievement. Making the changes needed to successfully implement Schools Plus will take time and a careful focus on building support within the secondary schooling system. Matching investments will be needed as new course options, staff and closer links outside of school are phased in. We anticipate at least $170 million per year in additional investment will be required to fully implement Schools Plus. But we must also set goals and timelines. While the school leaving age will stay at sixteen, we have begun the process of removing the early-leaving exemption for under 16s. By 2010, all schools will be using the new New Zealand Curriculum, enabling them to provide relevant, innovative programmes that meet their students needs. Labour will introduce an education and training leaving age of 17 years in 2011 and 18 years in 2014. Phasing in the education and training leaving age in this way will give schools time to develop the variety of programmes and options needed to engage the whole range of young people. Strong Proven Leadership 537
Student Support
This decade has seen a focus on affordable and accessible tertiary education for all New Zealanders, and several changes have been made to accomplish this. This began with the introduction of the no interest while studying policy to end the unfair practice of students being charged interest on their student loans while they studied. An even more significant change came in with the introduction of universal, interest-free loans for all students living in New Zealand from 1 April 2006. The affordability of tertiary study was also tackled by introducing the fee maxima policy, widening access to student allowances and increasing the availability of scholarships. In 2005 the parental income threshold was raised by 20 percent for student allowance recipients the first time since the current system of parental income testing was established in 1992. Last year the threshold was raised by a further 10 percent and this year it was again increased by 10 percent. The effect of these changes has been an increase in student allowance recipients for the first time since 2001. In 2006 the number of recipients increased by 4.6 percent. In 2007 the number of student allowance recipients increased by a further 5 percent, and levels are expected to continue increasing in the future. Ten years ago tertiary fees were increasing by over 10 percent a year, while allowance eligibility declined and students paid interest on their borrowing, even while studying. Today there is no interest paid on student loans while students are living in New Zealand, fee increases are regulated and allowance eligibility has been widened. Ten years from now there will be no parental income testing of student allowances, fees increases will continue to be regulated and no interest will be paid on student loans. Labour will continue to make tertiary education more affordable for students and their families. Our efforts have been unashamedly centred on students and on making improvements to the student support system. We have already reduced the average time it takes to pay back a loan (for a student who stays in New Zealand) from eight years in 1999 to four years in 2005, and we intend to see it come down even further. We will keep student loans interest-free, and continue to set limits on fee increases through fee maxima. We will also continue to make scholarships available for students. From the beginning of 2009, Labour will make it easier for more students to receive a student allowance by reducing the age at which parental income is considered and by further increasing the parental income threshold for student allowances. Strong Proven Leadership 538
We will continue to extend the eligibility of student allowances in 2010 and 2011 and abolish the parental income test altogether in 2012. Labour will increase student allowance eligibility as follows: From 1 January 2009, the parental income threshold will increase from its 2009 level (approximately $45,743) to approximately $50,318 (already announced) From 1 January 2010, the threshold will increase to $70,000 From 1 January 2011, the threshold will increase again to $100,000 From 1 January 2012, the parental income test will be abolished altogether.
In 2004, Labour introduced Step Up Scholarships for students studying human and animal health bachelor degrees, and in 2005 these scholarships were extended to science and technology subjects. The scholarships assist students in paying compulsory tuition fees and are targeted at raising participation by people from lowincome backgrounds and those who might, due to financial pressures, feel otherwise unable to enrol at a tertiary institution. From 1 January 2008, funding for the scholarships has been increased and the scholarships have been re-designed to be more accessible to a wider range of students. We also support recognition of excellence while studying. The introduction of our Bonded Merit Scholarships in 2006 reflects the governments support for tomorrows leaders, scientists, academics and business people. Bonded Merit Scholarships reward outstanding students with up to $3,000 per annum for course fees for up to four years. In 2007, the success of this programme saw us doubling the number of awards from 500 to 1,000, increasing to 1,500 from January 2009.
Labour brought back apprenticeships in a new form that meets the needs of todays workplace. Labours Modern Apprenticeship Scheme has been important in attracting young people back to traditional trade occupations. The scheme involves young people in workplace learning from the start of their careers and will make an important contribution to Labours new Schools Plus plan for every young person to continue in education and training through to the age of 18. In the last decade, the Modern Apprenticeship Scheme has exceeded targets for growth. By the middle of this year, more than 17,000 young New Zealanders had either completed a modern apprenticeship or were actively engaged in one. We have already put funding in place so that 14,000 modern apprentices will be in training by the end of 2008. Strong Proven Leadership 539
Labour will increase the number of modern apprentices in training by 1,000 a year so that 17,000 people are in modern apprenticeship training by December 2011.
Promoting Young Peoples Participation

Labour believes that young New Zealanders should have opportunities to make meaningful contributions to their communities. Labour will develop a volunteering programme which will integrate with Schools Plus and allow young people to contribute positively to public service organisations while continuing to gain skills and experience. The programme will involve recognised organisations which agree to provide appropriate supervision and training. In terms of participation in both local and central government, throughout much of the world the trend is that more young people tend not to vote, or be as active in, political and community issues as older age groups. We need to involve young people more in building sustainable communities. Labour supports the Growing Active Citizens project co-ordinated by Local Government New Zealand which has young people as its focus. We also support the Kids Voting programme that ran during the 2007 local body elections, and the involvement of young people in Youth Councils. Labour will involve young people more in building sustainable communities through the encouragement of involvement in youth councils. Young people have a vital role in the development of our cultural sector, not just for their own wellbeing and sense of identity but because they are the emerging artists and cultural practitioners of tomorrow. We support the development of clear pathways into careers in the sector. Labour has continued to develop and resource the arts, music and creative curriculum in New Zealand schools so that young people have the opportunity to participate in the arts and establish creative skills at an early stage. The Artists in Schools Programme was implemented in 2007 to give Kiwi primary and secondary school students the opportunity to learn from professional New Zealand artists in the fields of dance, drama, music, and visual arts.
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We can encourage young New Zealanders to value conservation by rolling out initiatives such as the Enviro-Schools programme. Enviro-Schools not only focuses on environmental education but teaches students about sustainability. Our young people will be the skill base for frontline conservation work in the decades to come. Labour will build the available pool of conservation rangers, planners and biodiversity specialists by developing a conservation apprenticeship programme. This programme will be targeted at school-leavers who are contemplating working in the conservation sector. Its aim will be to provide a strong grounding in practical conservation management. On successfully completing the programme, some graduates may seek work through the Department of Conservation while others may go on to employment in local government or community-led conservation work.
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Index
Abatement, benefit, 457 Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC), 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 95, 119, 258, 267, 406, 418, 457, 458, 487 Afforestation Grant Scheme, 69, 243 Afghanistan, 113, 233 Aged care, 249, 250, 262, 263, 447, 448 Agriculture, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 32, 61, 67, 68, 70, 203, 210, 236, 243, 351, 352, 363, 422, 515 Air quality, 209 Ako Aotearoa the National Centre for Tertiary Teaching Excellence, 493 Alcohol and Other Drug treatment, 103, 337, 388 Ambulance services, 157, 258 Antarctica, 226 ANZAC, 22, 112 Anzac Day, 27 Aotearoa Peoples Network, 25, 301 Aquaculture, 11, 221, 223, 224, 226, 354, 363 Arts, culture and heritage, 17, 18, 19, 23, 26, 363 Auckland Governance, Commission on, 342 Royal Artists in Schools, 25, 540 Arts, 15, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 363, 364, 375, 540 PACE, 25
B4 School checks, 52, 266, 369, 433 Beach-heads, 10, 147 Biodiversity Strategy, 82 Biofuels, 9, 63, 191, 192, 197, 509, 513 Biosecurity, 29, 31, 32, 33, 82, 406 Biotechnology, 140 Blood donation, 411 Bonded Merit Scholarships, 498, 539 Border control, 32 Broadband, 25, 144, 297, 298, 299, 300, 301, 302, 305, 306, 397, 415, 419 Broadband Investment Fund, 297, 298, 397
543
Broadcasting, 18, 35, 37, 38, 39, 303, 374, 375 Building, 41, 43, 44, 45, 122, 132, 152, 191, 278, 281, 283, 284, 285, 286, 304, 310, 331, 344, 362, 370, 383, 384, 399, 427, 437 Building Act, 43, 122, 283 Building Code, 43, 122, 284 Business and Sport Partnership, 474, 475 Business incubators, 439 Business New Zealand, 5, 138, 144, 168, 180 Carbon neutrality, 62, 63, 191, 210, 488 Care and Protection Blueprint, 56, 467, 468 Centres of Innovation, 133 Centres of Research Excellence, 440, 495 Child poverty, 50, 463 Child, Youth and Family (CYF), 55, 56, 57, 126, 336, 387, 466, 468 Differential Response Model, 55, 466 Childcare, 456 Citizens Advice Bureau, 95, 377, 378 Civil Defence, 158, 159, 160, 376 Strong Proven Leadership
Civil unions, 409 Clean Streams Accord, 423 Climate Change, 59, 61, 69, 153, 203, 236, 244, 398 Kyoto Protocol, 62, 69, 191, 192, 243, 488 Closer Economic Relationship, 137, 147, 237 Collective bargaining, 183 Commerce, 93, 94, 192 Commerce Commission, 93, 94, 192 Community and voluntary sector, 54, 73, 75, 76, 77, 78, 465, 484, 486 Statement of Intentions, 76, 486 Government
Community Festivals Fund, 216 Community Partnership Fund, 301 Compliance costs, 11, 78, 229, 230 Quality Regulation Review, 11 Computers in Homes, 301 Conservation, 64, 79, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 149, 194, 197, 221, 236, 245, 354, 355, 488, 541 Conservation apprenticeship programme, 85, 541 Consumers, 91, 93, 94, 95, 120, 140, 148, 170, 185, 199, 208, 229, 230, 544
263, 269, 300, 303, 306, 320, 342, 377, 378, 448, 449, 526 Core Benefit, 459 Corrections, 97, 99, 102, 104, 105, 336, 387 Council of Trade Unions, 5, 138, 168, 180 Courts, 103, 328, 329, 333, 384 Creative industries, 17, 18, 25 Creative New Zealand, 17, 18, 20, 25 Crimes Act 1961, 330, 389 Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Bill, 334, 385 Dairy, 9, 11, 204, 205, 346, 396, 422 Defence, 105, 107, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 157, 158, 159, 160, 234, 330, 333, 389, 410, 519, 522 Defence Sustainability 110, 112 Initiative,
Disabilities, 24, 52, 56, 57, 115, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 184, 261, 266, 267, 268, 273, 282, 293, 294, 377, 445, 446, 452, 455, 458, 459, 468, 469, 476, 510, 520, 522, 527, 536 Needs Assessment Coordination, 120 Service
Pathways to Inclusion, 124, 125 To Have an Ordinary Life, 120, 267 Disability Strategy, 117, 118, 119, 122, 124, 126, 127, 267, 293 Disarmament, 234, 235 District Health Boards, 52, 53, 57, 104, 249, 251, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259, 260, 263, 266, 269, 270, 271, 272, 274, 342, 370, 416, 417, 447, 468, 536 Domestic/family violence, 51, 54, 288, 328, 329, 330, 357, 358, 360, 383, 389, 464, 465, 528 Drug and Alcohol Teams, 337, 388 Early Childhood Education, 48, 50, 52, 129, 131, 132, 133, 138, 266, 361, 362, 371, 433, 455, 463, 464, 527 20 Hours Free, 131, 132, 362
Long Term Development Plan, 110 White Paper on Defence, 110 Defence Force, 109, 110, 112, 113, 234, 410, 519, 522 Digital age, 17 Digital Content Strategy, 304
Discretionary Grants Scheme, 132 Early intervention, 51, 100, 105, 127, 249, 253, 360, 433, 464, 535 Early Intervention, 100
Digital Strategy 2.0, 300, 301, 302, 304 Strong Proven Leadership
Early Start, 105 545
Economic Stimulus Package, 65, 149, 150, 195, 196, 287, 299, 393, 395, 396, 398, 421 Economy, 29, 61, 62, 135, 140, 307, 308, 439 Economic Downturn, 148, 391, 393, 399, 401 Economic Transformation, 146, 169, 171, 185, 302, 308, 319, 321, 415, 460 Education New Zealand, 499, 500 Effective Interventions, 332 e-Government, 487 Elder abuse, 263, 448, 451 Electric cars/ electric vehicles, 63, 64, 198, 509, 513, 514 Electricity Commission, 62, 64, 66, 67, 93, 140, 144, 191, 192, 193, 194, 196, 197, 198, 373, 415, 423, 488, 513 Electrified rail network, 144 Emergency housing, 288 Emergency Management, 155, 158, 159, 160, 376 Emissions trading, 13, 61, 62, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 140, 191, 195, 196, 236, 244, 245 Emissions Trading Scheme, 13, 61, 62, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 191, 195, 196, 236, 244, 245
Employment Relations, 137, 165, 168, 173, 174, 177, 179, 180, 182, 183, 184, 186, 187, 357, 485, 528 Employment Relations Act, 137, 165, 168, 173, 180, 182, 183, 184, 186, 528 Energy, 64, 65, 189, 191, 194, 195, 197, 203, 287 Energy Efficiency, 61, 64, 65, 66, 140, 191, 192, 194, 195, 196, 197, 287, 341, 396, 398, 399, 488 New Zealand Energy Strategy, 64, 191, 194 Enterprising Communities Grants, 462 Environment, 13, 31, 32, 35, 37, 43, 44, 48, 49, 54, 56, 57, 61, 64, 66, 68, 81, 84, 87, 88, 93, 100, 101, 104, 125, 127, 139, 143, 145, 146, 148, 153, 159, 169, 183, 192, 196, 198, 201, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 209, 210, 211, 212, 221, 222, 224, 225, 226, 236, 237, 241, 243, 255, 283, 285, 297, 298, 299, 300, 303, 305, 309, 319, 332, 357, 367, 397, 398, 405, 409, 415, 432, 439, 441, 462, 465, 467, 468, 474, 476, 483, 485, 487, 488, 503, 505, 509, 513, 521 Environment Centres, 211 Environment Court, 207 Enviro-Schools, 85, 541 Ethnic Affairs, 213, 215, 216, 217 Every Child Counts campaign, 48, 464 Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), 206, 221 546
Expatriates, 143, 311, 312 Exports, 9, 10, 11, 13, 18, 21, 22, 38, 70, 71, 87, 147, 150, 221, 222, 224, 229, 230, 237, 238, 243, 396, 405, 499, 500, 503, 515 Family Court, 330, 389, 528, 529 Family Group Conferences, 329 Family Safety Teams, 51, 464 Family Support, 51, 127, 360, 464 Fast Forward (New Zealand Fast Forward Fund), 9, 10, 12, 13, 68, 140, 223, 440 Film, 18, 20, 24, 28, 240, 304, 504 Film Commission, 18, 20 Financial sector, 78, 146, 394, 395 Fiscal Policy, 5, 145, 146, 309 Pre-Election Fiscal (PREFU), 393 Update
'Fringe lenders, 94 Gangs, 101, 333, 334, 359, 384, 385 Gateway programme, 371, 430, 537 General Practitioners, 52, 53, 249, 254, 255, 258, 259, 260, 261, 263, 264, 265, 266, 270, 271, 272, 273, 416, 446, 448, 455, 529, 531, 536 Genetic modification, 211, 212 Green Prescriptions, 263, 448 Health, 3, 6, 31, 43, 44, 48, 50, 52, 53, 54, 56, 57, 64, 65, 66, 81, 104, 119, 120, 121, 127, 128, 141, 157, 173, 174, 183, 184, 186, 187, 195, 196, 198, 203, 204, 209, 230, 238, 239, 245, 247, 249, 250, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259, 260, 261, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266, 267, 268, 269, 270, 271, 272, 273, 274, 277, 283, 284, 287, 293, 298, 311, 327, 341, 345, 347, 357, 358, 360, 369, 370, 372, 373, 375, 397, 399, 411, 415, 416, 417, 418, 419, 422, 433, 439, 446, 447, 448, 449, 450, 452, 458, 459, 463, 467, 468, 473, 474, 476, 477, 478, 483, 484, 485, 488, 494, 495, 496, 498, 514, 521, 525, 526, 528, 529, 530, 531, 535, 536, 539 Elective Surgery, 249, 250, 251, 257, 274 National Travel Assistance Programme, 270, 416 Health and safety, 43, 64, 174, 184, 187, 198, 273, 283, 419, 514 New Zealand Injury Prevention Strategy, 5 547
Fisheries, 68, 86, 87, 88, 109, 203, 219, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 351, 352, 354, 355 Fisheries Act, 222 Flexible working hours, 260, 527 Food Safety, 227, 229, 230 Foreshore and seabed, 356, 357 Freight, 111, 138, 140, 144, 197, 509, 510, 515, 516 Strong Proven Leadership
Healthy Eating Healthy Action, 250, 252 Heartland Service Centres, 418, 419
Migrants, 143, 161, 215, 216, 217, 308, 309, 310, 312, 313, 314, 315, 459, 530 Refugees, 239, 308, 313, 314
High country, 88, 89 Settlement strategy, 309 High Performance Strategy, 475 Hill Country Erosion Scheme, 243 Historic Places Trust, 26, 27 Holidays Act, 124, 125, 175, 188, 215 Home Equity Release Schemes, 449 HOPE (Home Ownership on Public Estate), 278, 279, 373, 400 Housing, 45, 50, 65, 66, 122, 123, 149, 152, 166, 195, 196, 252, 262, 275, 277, 278, 279, 280, 281, 282, 283, 285, 286, 287, 288, 336, 341, 343, 344, 357, 358, 359, 360, 369, 372, 373, 387, 395, 398, 400, 401, 446, 448, 449, 450, 463, 525, 526 Hobsonville, 279 Housing Innovation Fund, 282 Tamaki, 279 HPV vaccination, 264, 530 Human Rights, 109, 117, 118, 123, 238, 239, 291, 293, 312, 313, 409, 410 ILO, 147 Immigration, 143, 307, 308, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 376, 410 Strong Proven Leadership Skilled Migrant Category, 143, 309, 310, 311 Immigration advocacy service, 315 Income-related rents, 372, 448 Industry Training, 11, 20, 25, 142, 166, 169, 170, 171, 181, 305, 317, 319, 320, 321, 322, 323, 353, 361, 372, 406, 461, 494 Industry Training Organisations, 11, 166, 169, 170, 171, 181, 305, 319, 320, 321, 322, 323, 461, 494 Information and Communications Technology, 78, 140, 257, 295, 297, 300, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 313, 432 Infrastructure, 10, 17, 24, 64, 70, 78, 85, 86, 137, 138, 141, 144, 145, 149, 150, 151, 160, 184, 185, 193, 194, 198, 205, 243, 257, 279, 280, 297, 298, 306, 335, 341, 344, 346, 386, 393, 395, 396, 397, 415, 419, 421, 422, 423, 483, 505, 509, 510, 511, 512, 513, 514, 515 Infrastructure bonds, 145 Institutes of technology and polytechnics, 142, 322, 492, 494, 495 Insulation, 65, 191, 195, 287, 372, 373, 449, 450 548
Integrated Service Response, 360 Intellectual property, 17, 19 International education, 499 Interoperability, 298 Job Search Allowance, 166, 167, 401 Ka Hikitia, 361, 362, 428, 429 Kiwi Advanced Research and Education Network (KAREN), 301 KiwiSaver, 138, 146, 278, 358, 373, 485, 527 Knowledge economy, 169, 319 Kohanga Reo, 131, 362 Kura Kaupapa Mori, 355, 362, 363, 432 Land Transport Act, 337, 388 Local government, 24, 27, 43, 44, 70, 77, 83, 84, 85, 144, 145, 149, 153, 158, 204, 205, 206, 207, 210, 211, 216, 224, 244, 278, 280, 281, 282, 283, 285, 287, 309, 327, 341, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 354, 373, 376, 418, 450, 474, 487, 511, 512, 541 Local Government Act, 337, 388 Low paid work, 173, 185, 186 Mori, 18, 19, 23, 38, 70, 75, 94, 95, 104, 161, 205, 226, 244, 252, 282, 283, 336, 347, 349, 351, 352, 353, 354, 355, 356, 357, 358, 359, 360, 361, 362, 363, 364, 371, 378, 387, 428, 429, 432, 486, 505 Strong Proven Leadership
customary rights, 357 Mori Conservation Cadetship/Tauira Mori Wananga Kaitiaki Taiao, 355 Mori Fisheries Act, 226, 354 Mori Health Strategy, 358 Mori Language Strategy, 364 Mori Television Service, 364 Mori Trades Training, 363 Maori Wardens, 336, 387 Taiapure and mataitai reserves, 87 Tamaiti whangai programmes, 360 Te Reo and Tikanga Mori, 161, 351, 363, 364 Mori Womens Welfare League, 361 Marine Protected Areas Policy, 87, 226, 355 Marine reserves, 81, 87, 225, 226, 355 Market Development Scheme, 11 Assistance
Marsden Fund, 439, 495, 496 Maternity, 53, 261, 264, 265, 271, 416, 530, 531 Maui and Hectors Dolphins, 87, 88, 225 Medical schools, 259, 270, 416 549
Mental health, 3, 57, 104, 251, 252, 268, 269, 270, 288, 336, 387, 468 Minimum wage, 49, 124, 125, 147, 148, 173, 184, 185, 186, 433, 434, 455, 456, 457, 460, 462, 526 Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 11, 375 Mission On, 250, 252 Mobile Surgical Bus, 270, 416 Modern Apprenticeships, 142, 170, 171, 305, 320, 321, 361, 363, 371, 372, 430, 537, 539, 540 Monetary policy, 145
New Zealand Music Commission, 21 Outward Sound, 21 New Zealand on Air, 20, 303, 374 New Zealand Qualifications Authority, 103 New Zealand Superannuation Fund, 138, 445 New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, 11, 22, 23, 140, 238, 364, 375 New Zealand Transport Strategy 2008, 509 Nuclear weapons, 234, 235
Multi Employer Collective Agreements (MECAs), 183, 184 Multilateralism, 109, 236 Museums, 18, 24, 28
NZAID, 234, 238, 375, 376 Obesity, 249, 250, 252, 358, 369, 477, 535 Oceans Policy, 206, 225
National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA), 138, 428, 430 National Environmental 204, 205, 209, 346 National Library, 28 National Policy Statements, 27, 82, 204, 205, 282, 343, 346 Nature Heritage Fund, 83 New Zealand Academy of Sport, 475 New Zealand music, 21, 39 Strong Proven Leadership Standards,
Official Development (ODA), 231, 238 Oil Resources, 199
Assistance
Ongoing and Renewable Resourcing Schemes (ORRS), 433 Oral health, 251 Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), 139, 185, 237, 300, 430, 527 Organised crime, 333, 334, 335, 384, 385, 386 550
P4 free trade agreement, 237 Pacific channel, 37 Pacific Island peoples, 371, 374, 428 Pacific peoples National Pacific Radio Network, 374 Pacific Access Category, 376 Pacific Island Affairs, 365, 367, 375, 376, 378, 379 Pacific Languages Strategy, 375 Pacific Peoples Housing Strategy, 373 Pacific region, 71, 109, 234, 311, 367, 374, 375, 376, 377, 379 Pacific Wardens, 336, 387 Paid Parental Leave, 456, 527 Papakainga hoising, 282, 358 Parole, 99, 101, 327, 328, 332, 337, 388 Partnerships for Excellence, 492 Pathway to Partnership, 51, 76, 77, 360, 380, 464, 529 Pathways to the Future, 132 Pay and Employment Equity Plan of Action, 526 Peacekeeping and Conflict Resolution, 109, 110, 113, 114, 233, 234 Strong Proven Leadership
Performance Based Research Fund, 440, 495, 496 Permanent Forest Sink Initiative, 69, 244 Playcentre, 131 Police, 99, 101, 103, 157, 217, 234, 330, 331, 333, 334, 335, 336, 337, 381, 383, 384, 385, 386, 387, 388, 389, 410, 415, 451, 514, 528 Independent Police Authority, 331, 384 Policing Act, 383 Positive Ageing Strategy, 293, 445, 450 Precarious Employment Casual employment, 175, 188 Labour hire, 174, 175, 187 Preventative health care, 250 Primary Health Care, 249, 250, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 266, 271, 273, 369, 416 Primary Health Organisations, 52, 251, 254, 255, 266, 536 Primary sector, 10, 11, 12, 13, 31, 140 Prime Ministers Athlete Scholarships, 475, 476 Prime Ministers Scholarship, 475 Priority Offenders Initiative, 335, 336, 387 551 Conduct
Prisons, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 331, 332, 335, 386 Private prisons, 105 Privatisation, 3, 105 Productivity, 10, 12, 124, 139, 142, 148, 169, 171, 172, 173, 175, 182, 184, 186, 187, 188, 300, 301, 302, 319, 321, 353, 439, 460, 461, 462, 495 Project Early, 105 Providing Access to Health Solutions (PATHS), 458 Provisional tax, 149, 395, 401, 402 Public Defence Service, 333 Public Lending Right for New Zealand Authors Act, 19 Public transport, 63, 123, 137, 138, 144, 191, 192, 197, 280, 341, 344, 345, 396, 450, 451, 509, 510, 511, 512, 513 Public Transport Management Act 2008, 345, 511 Public/private partnerships, 145 Quota Management System (QMS), 221 R&D tax credit, 440, 441 Racing, 403, 405, 406 New Zealand Racing Board, 405, 406 141, 174, 297, 400,
Radio New Zealand, 39, 374 Rail, 138, 140, 144, 149, 150, 191, 192, 197, 243, 396, 509, 510, 511, 512, 515, 516 KiwiRail, 63, 140, 144, 191, 197, 512, 513 Rainbow Issues, 407, 409, 410, 411, 412 Rates Rebate Scheme, 341, 342, 449 Recognised Seasonal Employment Scheme, 310, 311, 376 Reducing Reoffending, 99, 102, 103, 387 Redundancy, 166, 167, 168, 180, 181, 461 Notification, 166, 181, 461 Rapid response, 166, 181, 461 Redundancy 180 compensation, 168,
Statutory minimum standards, 168, 180 Regional development, 137 Regional Fuel Taxes, 512 Rehabilitation, 3, 4, 5, 99, 100, 102, 104, 271, 329, 336, 387, 416 Renewable energy, 61, 70, 71, 140, 141, 191, 193, 197, 423, 440, 496
552
Research and development, 9, 11, 61, 67, 68, 70, 71, 137, 138, 140, 230, 440, 496 Research, Science and Technology, 439, 442, 495 Reserve Bank, 145 Residential care, 56, 262, 447, 467 Residential Services Strategy, 56, 467 Resource Management Act, 27, 82, 204, 205, 206, 207, 222, 346 Restorative Justice, 329 Retail Deposit Guarantee scheme, 148, 394 Retraining allowance, 142, 167, 181, 368, 401, 458, 461, 498 Retrofitting, 65, 66, 140, 149, 195, 196, 287, 288, 373, 399, 400, 449, 450 Roading Financial Assistance Rate, 396 Rugby World Cup, 22, 478, 479, 504 Rural Affairs, 413, 422 SAGES, 452, 465 Sale of Liquor Act, 337, 388 Sanitary Works Subsidy, 151, 347, 397, 420, 421 Schools, 23, 25, 50, 52, 85, 132, 138, 141, 144, 145, 152, 161, 170, 172, Strong Proven Leadership
216, 322, 411, 429, 459, 541
250, 361, 412, 430, 463,
252, 362, 415, 431, 477,
266, 363, 419, 432, 536,
280, 364, 425, 433, 537,
301, 372, 427, 434, 539,
320, 399, 428, 435, 540,
New Zealand curriculum, 25, 216, 293, 322, 361, 362, 427, 428, 429, 430, 494, 537, 540 operational grants, 432 Schools Plus, 141, 170, 172, 320, 322, 362, 372, 430, 431, 432, 434, 459, 536, 537, 539, 540 Science and Innovation, 11, 437, 439, 442 Screen Production Incentive Fund, 20 Search and Surveillance Powers Bill, 335, 386 Senior Citizens, 262, 443, 450 Sentencing, 99, 332, 333, 334, 385, 409 Sentencing Act, 327, 409 Sentencing Council, 332, 333 Serious Fraud Office, 335, 386 Sewerage, 151, 397 Sexual assault/violence, 329, 330, 333, 389, 525 Sexual Assault Referral Centres, 330 Shared Equity, 278 553
Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Recreation Council, 476, 477 Skills Strategy, 138, 141, 142, 171, 172, 320, 321, 322 Small Business, 10, 255, 302, 487, 505
Partnership Resource Centre, 487 State Sector Retirement Scheme, 485 Savings
State Services Commission, 484, 486 Step Up Scholarships, 498, 539 Social Development, 146, 203, 367, 374, 375, 453, 455, 456, 484, 491 Ministry of Social Development, 24, 217, 336, 387, 411 Social Report, 50, 51, 463, 464 Social Worker Registration, 54, 466 Social Workers in Schools, 55, 105, 466 Soil erosion, 86, 153, 398 Solar water heating, 66, 197 SPARC, 477 Special education, 293, 433, 434 Special Education, 293, 433, 434 Spectrum, 57, 405, 433, 442, 468 Sport and Recreation, 471, 473, 474, 475, 477 State Houses, 65, 195, 279, 286, 287, 400 State Sector, 481, 483, 484, 485, 486, 488 Development Goals, 483, 485 Partnership for Quality, 485, 486 Strong Proven Leadership Strategies with Kids Information for Parents (SKIP), 50, 51, 463, 464, 529 Student Allowances, 259, 372, 497, 538, 539 Student Loans, 138, 371, 496, 497, 526, 538 Superannuation, New Zealand, 67, 138, 196, 341, 357, 445, 446, 451, 469 Guardians of New Superannuation, 146 Zealand
SuperGold Card, 253, 450, 451, 511, 520 Sustainability, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 24, 25, 51, 55, 61, 62, 63, 66, 67, 68, 70, 76, 77, 85, 87, 89, 109, 110, 124, 139, 140, 141, 144, 145, 153, 191, 192, 196, 197, 203, 204, 206, 208, 209, 210, 211, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 234, 236, 239, 240, 243, 244, 245, 250, 258, 259, 260, 272, 279, 280, 281, 283, 297, 301, 302, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347, 354, 355, 359, 360, 363, 367, 371, 377, 393, 394, 395, 398, 399, 405, 413, 415, 417, 420, 422, 429, 451, 455, 460, 462, 464, 466, 479, 483, 485, 488, 494, 501, 503, 504, 505, 507, 509, 510, 511, 513, 515, 529, 540, 541 Sustainable Development, 281, 344 554
Sustainable Farming Fund, 12, 415 Tariffs, 11 Taskforce for Action on Violence within Families, 54, 465 Tax cuts, 139 Te Kotahitanga, 362, 428, 429 Te Mngai Pho, 20 Te Marautanga Aotearoa Curriculum, 361, 362, 428 Mori
Tertiary Education, 25, 125, 138, 142, 160, 243, 322, 351, 361, 371, 489, 491, 492, 493, 494, 495, 496, 497, 538 Tertiary Education 322, 491, 492 Tertiary Teaching Awards, 493 Timor Leste, 113, 233 Toi Iho, 23, 364 Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, 27 Total Mobility, 124, 451 Tourism, 18, 20, 21, 22, 26, 70, 71, 82, 85, 347, 351, 352, 353, 354, 421, 499, 501, 503, 504, 505, 506 100% Pure New Zealand, 503, 504 New Zealand Tourism Strategy 2016, 503, 504, 506 Sustainable Tourism Advisors in Regions (STAR), 503, 504 Tourism Demand Subsidy Scheme, 421, 503 Tourism Innovation Fund, 505 Trade, 11, 22, 31, 32, 137, 138, 145, 147, 217, 222, 226, 231, 240, 245, 320, 345, 486, 539 62, 71, 75, 94, 170, 197, 203, 236, 237, 238, 367, 376, 377, Commission,
Excellence
Te Rito (New Zealand Family Violence Prevention Strategy), 51, 464 Te Ture Whenua Mori Act, 354 Teachers, 127, 131, 133, 361, 362, 371, 372, 411, 412, 415, 419, 420, 427, 428, 429, 430, 431, 432, 434, 493, 536, 537 New Zealand Teachers Council, 428 Telecom, 297, 300, 305, 306 Telecommunications, 93, 138, 145, 147, 297, 299, 300, 303, 305, 306 Telecommunications Stocktake, 300, 303 Television, 20, 26, 37, 38, 161, 251, 303, 364, 374, 477, 514 Digital television, 37, 38 Television New Zealand (TVNZ), 38
Transport, 63, 67, 111, 123, 124, 140, 145, 150, 191, 192, 197, 198, 199, 280, 345, 396, 451, 457, 488, 507, 509, 510, 511, 512, 513, 515, 516 555
New Zealand Transport Strategy, 509, 510 Treasury, 145, 488 Treaty of Waitangi, 75, 117, 351, 355, 357 Treaty settlements, 283, 351, 355, 357, 359 Unemployment, 49, 66, 103, 143, 167, 168, 179, 180, 181, 196, 351, 352, 357, 360, 367, 368, 393, 395, 399, 456, 458, 460, 498 165, 310, 378, 462,
Wananga, 301, 363, 492, 495 War Disablement Pension, 520, 521, 522 War Disablement Pensions, 522 War Pensions Act, 521 Waste Waste reduction, 140 Water Freshwater, 31, 81, 204, 205, 346, 422 Sustainable Water Programme of Action, 204, 345 Weathertight Homes Service, 43, 283 Resolution
Unions, 5, 67, 101, 142, 148, 165, 168, 171, 179, 180, 184, 321, 323, 353, 394, 409, 460, 484, 485, 486, 487, 495 Unit Titles Act, 45, 285 United Nations, 27, 109, 113, 114, 118, 119, 225, 233, 234, 235, 236, 239 Universities, 145, 234, 363, 441, 442, 492, 494, 495, 496, 499 Tripartite Forum, 494
Welcome Home loans, 277, 283, 358, 359, 373 Well Child, 52, 127, 266 Whaling, 88, 225 Whanau-led services, 360
Urban Development, 278, 280, 281, 344, 345 Victims of crime, 327, 328
Wholesale Funding Guarantee facility, 395 Wildlife Act 1953, 82
Victims Commissioner, 328 Victims Rights Act, 327, 328 Vietnam, 27, 111, 520, 521 Volunteering programme, 540 Strong Proven Leadership Work and Income, 124, 126, 165, 179, 336, 387, 418, 459, 460 Working For Families, 49, 50, 51, 67, 137, 148, 173, 185, 186, 196, 367, 377, 455, 456, 457, 460, 462, 463, 464, 526 556
Working New Zealand, 459 World Trade Organisation (WTO), 147, 233, 236, 237, 238, 377 Youth Affairs, 533
Youth Councils, 343, 540 Youth Court, 56, 467 Youth Development Strategy, 293 Youth Offending Strategy, 105, 329
557

Labour Policy Manifesto

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Labour Policy Manifesto

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LABOUR MANIFESTO 2008

Strong Proven Leadership

Strong Proven Leadership

Strong Proven Leadership

ACC: Every Kiwi is Covered

Labours policy for Accident Compensation

Strong Proven Leadership

ACC Everybody is Covered

Retaining ACC in Public Hands - Keeping it Kiwi

Ensuring New Zealanders pay fair and reasonable levies

Extending and Improving ACC

Strong Proven Leadership

Strong Proven Leadership

A prosperous and sustainable agriculture sector

Labours policy for Agriculture

Strong Proven Leadership

0 2006 2007 2008 2009 Source: MAF 2010 2011 2012

Supporting Agricultural Business Success

Dairy Cattle Sheep meat Sheep meat

Strong Proven Leadership

Strong Proven Leadership

Leading in Environmental Sustainability

Strong Proven Leadership

Strong Proven Leadership

Uniquely New Zealand

Labours policy for Arts, Culture & Heritage

Strong Proven Leadership

Strong Proven Leadership

Supporting the Creative Sector

Protecting artists rights

Strong Proven Leadership

Opportunities for New Zealand in the Film Sector

Supporting New Zealand Music

Encouraging Growth, Innovation and Opportunity

Strong Proven Leadership

Strong Proven Leadership

Valuing the Contribution of All Our Creative People

Strong Proven Leadership

Regional and Community Arts and Culture

Strong Proven Leadership

Education, Industry Training and Research

Honouring our Unique History and Heritage

Strong Proven Leadership

Protecting our Economy and our Heritage

Labours policy for Biosecurity 2008

Strong Proven Leadership

Strong Proven Leadership

Prevention the Best Cure

Strong Proven Leadership

Planning for New and Emerging Biosecurity Threats

Partnership with the Community

Strong Proven Leadership

A strong, diverse broadcasting environment

Labours policy for Broadcasting

Strong Proven Leadership

Strong Proven Leadership

Strong Proven Leadership

Safe, Healthy and Affordable

Labours policy for Building and Construction

Strong Proven Leadership

Strong Proven Leadership

A Great Country for Kids

Labours policy for Children and their Families