Labour: Creating a healthy heartland

Labour will work in a strong and active partnership with our regional cities and towns to unleash their potential so that their success benefits all New Zealanders, says Labour Leader David Shearer.

“Heartland New Zealand is vital to our success. If our regions don’t succeed, our country doesn’t succeed. That’s why Labour will work closely with regional industries and community leaders to support local development, create jobs and economic growth.

“This is about creating a country that is fair and benefits all its people. We cannot afford to continue to lose the tens of thousands of workers who are leaving the regions in search of better opportunities in Australia.

“National is neglecting heartland New Zealand. Kiwis living in the regions are losing their jobs. In the Waikato and Bay of Plenty, unemployment has almost doubled since National came to power.1 In the Manawatu-Wanganui, it has more than doubled.2 A combined total of more than 11,000 people have left those areas in the last year for a new life across the Tasman.

“Education funding is being cut, including $32 million from regional polytechnics. Money for local roads is also declining as National diverts funding to its Roads of National Significance.

“This can’t continue. Labour will stand up for our regions. We’ll make education a priority, pursue new ideas for growth and modernise our economy so the heartland prospers again through our skills, innovation and investment in higher productivity and high-value exports.

“My speech today sets out a way forward. It follows on from a series of visits I have made to cities and towns throughout the country, listening to the concerns and the hopes and dreams of Kiwis living in heartland New Zealand. It is just the beginning of an on-going programme of support and engagement between Labour and our regions.

“In 2008, people living in regional New Zealand felt that Labour was speaking at them not for them. My message is that will change. We will stand up for heartland New Zealand to create opportunity, growth and to give people a future to look forward to,” said David Shearer.

1 Waikato rate increased from 4.4% in December 2008 to 8.6% in March 2012

Bay of Plenty rate increased from 4.5% in December 2008 to 8.5% in March 2012

(Household Labour Force Survey, Statistics NZ)

2 Manawatu-Wanganui rate increased from 3.7% in December 2008 to 8.9% in March 2012

(Household Labour Force Survey, Statistics NZ)