Category: Labour Party

The free and healthy school lunches programme feeds our kids, helps them to learn, and saves families money – but it is at risk under this Government, education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said. 

“National and ACT must commit to keeping free and healthy lunches in schools, which is making a difference in the lives of many children and young people,” Jan Tinetti said.

“Teachers and principals I speak to are clear on the benefits of this programme. They see the difference in kids when their tummies are full after lunch.

“ACT’s cold argument that it’s not worth it without more data ignores the simple fact that every child deserves lunch, regardless of where they live or go to school.

“You can’t measure the value of a child having enough to eat.

“The way the programme is delivered to children and young people in lower socio-economic areas, determined by the equity index, already sees it going to those who need it most.

“We also know how tough it is for many families right now with the cost of living and a Government doing nothing about it. Free and healthy school lunches currently saves a family $33 per week per child, or up to $1,250 per year per child on average. It also creates jobs in our communities. 

“That’s why Labour has launched a campaign to save school lunches, because even a programme that puts food in kids’ tummies and saves working people money is at risk with David Seymour and Christopher Luxon in charge,” Jan Tinetti said.

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The Government’s proposed changes to Firearms Prohibition Orders (FPO) add almost nothing new and are merely an attempt to distract from its plans to loosen gun laws, police spokesperson Ginny Andersen and justice spokesperson Dr Duncan Webb said.

“I’m proud that Labour banned military-style semi-automatic weapons – lifting them out of our communities and off the hands of dangerous groups and people, including gang members. Community safety is why we introduced this ban, the firearms registry and FPOs,” Ginny Andersen said.

“Labour also introduced laws that allow police to get an urgent warrant for 14 days when there is obvious gang tension. It means their homes and cars can be searched at any time over that period, and is the best way to ensure that any illegal guns or other weapons can be taken off gang members immediately and make our communities safer.

“The Government’s announcement today is a smokescreen. FPO laws are already in place and working well. What the Government is really planning is to make military style semi-automatic weapons more widely available which Police have advised will only end up in the black market.

“That means more dangerous weapons in the hands of gangs,” Ginny Andersen said.

“Under the Search and Surveillance Act, Police can already conduct a warrantless search in relation to a firearms offence,” Dr Duncan Webb said.

“There are very few details around what’s come out today. I look forward to finding out how a person is identified as a gang member and the process for demonstrating that they’re no longer gang affiliated, or what ‘good behaviour’ means to get out of an FPO early. We will examine this in detail once there is more detail.

“This is political posturing at its finest and doesn’t go any way towards solving the issues around crime and gangs that National campaigned so hard on solving,” Dr Duncan Webb said.

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Today marks a tragic milestone for New Zealanders as the Coalition Government side with big tobacco to repeal the Smokefree Environments and Regulated Products (Smoked Tobacco) Amendment Act 2022, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins and Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall said.

“The action the Coalition Government is taking today is not only a stain on Parliament’s record, it is morally reprehensible and a blemish on the records of New Zealand’s health system,” Chris Hipkins said.

“The Government folding to big tobacco while pretending to care about the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders is the stuff of dystopian nightmares. It lacks a moral compass, content to continue to promote and support an industry that literally kills its consumers,” Chris Hipkins said.

“Smoking is toxic. It is our leading cause of premature death. Desperately trying to make up figures for promised tax cuts for the wealthiest New Zealanders will be at the expense of thousands of lives, and $5.25 billion dollars to the system in healthcare costs,” Ayesha Verrall said.

“The Coalition Government contradicts itself when members say they care about reducing smoking while they are making it easier for young people to buy tobacco.

“Not only has the Coalition Government ignored public opinion, the Associate Minister Casey Costello has been told by countless health experts, medical colleges, and advised by the Ministry of Health not to repeal the legislation in order to save lives.

“Casey Costello is making murky work of being a Minister, and has not been able to give straight answers to straight questions in Parliament about tax breaks for tobacco companies, or the advice she receives. I repeat my call for Christopher Luxon to strip her of the Associate Health portfolio.

“The Coalition Government has put big tobacco interest over the health of New Zealanders in a dirty deal done behind closed doors.

“Labour supports Health Coalition Aotearoa’s work towards a citizens initiated referendum so the public can have its voice heard. I encourage New Zealanders to join us in bringing the law back and protecting the health of our future generations,” Ayesha Verrall said.

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Disestablishing Te Aka Whai Ora ahead of an emergency Waitangi Tribunal hearing is not only hasty, it goes against the treaty and the advice of experts, says Associate Health (Māori Health) spokesperson Peeni Henare.

“Rushing through the dissolution of Te Aka Whai Ora is evasive and cowardly, and ignores steps put in place by generations to ensure Governments are held to account for Māori health,” says Peeni Henare.

“We know that Māori have a shorter life expectancy than others in New Zealand, and they historically have worse access to the social and medical services that might change this. By taking away the very initiative designed to improve Māori health so they can live as long as the rest of the population, the Government is showing New Zealand that it wants to take our people backwards.

“The changes the Government will make also means the Ministry of Health can’t be advised by Māori, meaning almost 20% of the population has their voice removed from the agency charged with the health outcomes.

“Having used misinformation about Te Aka Whai Ora to get elected, Dr Reti should be ashamed to be playing politics with the lifespan of Māori. More than 60 organisations including the Cancer Society, the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and The New Zealand College of Public Health Medicine have asked the Coalition Government to abandon its plans to disestablish the Māori Health Authority.

“I challenge this government to stand down, stand alongside the evidence and to honour the commitment and obligations under the Treaty, and let Te Aka Whai Ora do its job,” says Henare.

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The Government’s re-announcement of its impractical policy on gang insignia isn’t going to make it work any better, and will only put more pressure on already stretched frontline Police, justice spokesperson Duncan Webb and police spokesperson Ginny Andersen said.

“This is a superficial policy that adds little if anything to existing powers and even worse, the evidence shows it doesn’t work to reduce gang activity and intimidation,” Duncan Webb said.

“We all agree that gang intimidation must stop, but insisting that Police use their resources to chase down people for wearing jackets, bandanas, hats, even jewellery like rings, rather than criminal behaviour, is not the best way to do that.

“But this government is not interested in the evidence. Banning gang patches in Whanganui didn’t work as it was too hard to enforce,” Duncan Webb said.

Ginny Andersen said if the Government wants Police to do more they need to back them with resourcing, not cut their budget.

“Frontline police are stretched already dealing with criminal behaviour, so we have to look at what is the best use of their time. It certainly isn’t being the wardrobe Police,” Ginny Andersen said.

“New Zealanders expect that gang members will be caught and punished if they’re committing crimes – it doesn’t make a difference what they’re wearing. In fact it’s likely that banning gang patches will only make Police jobs more difficult as they’ll be harder to find.

“We support continued efforts to reduce the impact and influence of gangs in New Zealand, but it is disappointing that the Government is diverting resources from effective operations such as targeting the financial networks of gangs – hitting them in the pocket where it hurts them most – and ignoring the evidence that their actions will have no significant impact on reducing crime,” Ginny Andersen said.

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The Labour Party is devastated by news of Green MP and long-time Labour member Fa’anānā Efeso Collins, who died during a charity event this morning.

“I first met Efeso when he was President of the Auckland Student Association in 1999. We connected because of shared values, a love for New Zealand as a country that supports and embraces all people,” Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said.

“Efeso was a member of the Labour Party for a long time and stood for the Party several times. I have deep respect for him and his politics and am saddened by the news today.”

Labour’s Pacific Caucus members are also in mourning.

“Many of us worked or studied with Efeso over several decades. Efeso was a passionate advocate for our community and a role model for the people of South Auckland and New Zealand’s Pacific community,” deputy Labour Leader Carmel Sepuloni said.

“We are thinking of Efeso’s wife and his two beautiful daughters, his wider whānau, friends and community. The loss of this courageous man will be felt by so many.

“This has deeply affected us as a Labour Party, our Pacific caucus members and MPs across Parliament.”

Mana MP Barbara Edmonds will take over the Finance portfolio following Grant Robertson’s retirement, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins announced today.

“Barb has a background as a specialist tax lawyer and is a formidable Parliamentarian with experience across nine portfolios as Minister, and several more as an advisor in a Ministerial office,” Chris Hipkins said.

“She’s held the Ministerial portfolios of Associate Finance, Revenue, Economic Development, Internal Affairs, Pacific Peoples, Associate Health, Associate Housing, Associate Immigration and Associate Cyclone Recovery. Barb is not only incredibly clever with a broad knowledge-base, she also has the interpersonal skills to work with people from every background across all sectors.

“She will be a fantastic Finance Spokesperson and I’m looking forward to working closely with her in this role.

“As this Coalition Government shows more and more that it is very big on repealing and very short on practical solutions and ideas, it’s important we have the right people in the right portfolios.

“I have asked Ginny Andersen to pick up the Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations portfolio and Peeni Henare to take on the Māori Crown Relations portfolio following Kelvin Davis’ departure from politics.

“Shanan Halbert will take over Auckland Issues and a newly created Rainbow Issues portfolio. 

“Tracey McLellan will pick up the Corrections portfolio, as well as Associate Health; and Glen Bennett rejoins the team as Labour’s spokesperson for Economic Development and Associate Energy.

“Land Information and Racing will be picked up by Damien O’Connor and Tangi Utikere respectively.

“It is clear the Government is scratching around for someone to blame as reality sets in that the promises they made during the campaign are not deliverable. This is the Labour line up that will hold them to account on those promises,” Chris Hipkins said.

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Labour List MP and former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Grant Robertson will retire from Parliament next month, and later in the year take up the position of Vice Chancellor of the University of Otago.

“I am extremely grateful for the privilege of being a Member of Parliament for the last 15 years. The opportunity to represent the people of Wellington Central, and to be a Minister has been an enormous honour,” Grant Robertson said.

“The chance to make a positive difference in the lives of New Zealanders in this way is not afforded to many people. I have given absolutely everything I have had to these roles, but now is the right time for me to move on to a new set of opportunities and challenges.

“I want to thank everyone who has supported me over these last fifteen years. As MPs and Ministers we are blessed with extraordinary people who give time and energy to us. I am especially grateful to those who I worked directly with in my electorate, Parliamentary and Ministerial offices – top class people who so often went above and beyond the call of duty.

“I want to acknowledge the wider Labour whānau and my Parliamentary colleagues over 15 years for their support. In particular, my friend the Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern who led our country through the unchartered waters of a terrorist attack and a global pandemic.

“I was so fortunate to serve alongside Jacinda and Chris Hipkins as Prime Ministers and have huge admiration for how they performed their roles. I know I leave a Labour Caucus in good heart, with strong leadership and a clear focus on the issues that matter to New Zealanders.

“I also want to acknowledge the support of friends and family. The life of a politician’s family is far from easy as they are caught in the crossfire of politics. To Alf and the rest of my family I am so humbled by your love and support for which I can never thank you enough.

“I will have more to say in my valedictory speech about the time I have spent in Parliament, but I am immensely proud of the work that we did, guiding New Zealand through the global pandemic to save lives and livelihoods, focusing our work on improving the wellbeing of our people and addressing long standing social and environmental issues.

“The role of Vice Chancellor at the University of Otago is a very special one to me. The University gave me such a fantastic start in my life and career, and the opportunity to give back is an exciting prospect.

“The staff at the University are incredible. The work they do teaching and researching and running the University is world class. I am relishing the opportunity to work with them, iwi, students, alumni and friends of Otago to build on 154 years of excellence and make everyone in the community proud of this institution.

“There is no doubt that there are challenges ahead for Otago and the wider tertiary sector, but I am looking forward to being a constructive player in addressing those for the good of all New Zealanders,” Grant Robertson said.

Grant Robertson will finish at Parliament in late March, before taking a break, and will start at the University of Otago in July. His place in Parliament will be taken by the next person on Labour’s list, former New Plymouth MP Glen Bennett.

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The Government’s intention to remove sexual education resources and guidelines for schools and kura will be a damaging step backwards for many young people, says Labour Education spokesperson Jan Tinetti.

“These resources were created to answer the call of teachers and communities for more action against bullying, violence and child abuse. Taking the axe to them will be incredibly damaging for years to come,” Labour education spokesperson Jan Tinetti said.

“The changes will discourage meaningful and respectful conversations around sexuality, consent and gender. As they stand, the guidelines are recommended by schools, teachers and experts, and have been well-received as helpful tools when it comes to talking about digital safety, and healthy relationships.

“I know I am not alone when I share my hope for our schools to be inclusive and safe places for all our students whatever their gender, race, nationality, beliefs, or sexual orientation.

“Students who are happy and confident learn better. Taking away resources that help children to learn about healthy relationships will cause harm to communities, not just now but into the future.

“Labour took great strides to remove barriers so that all children could feel safe and learn well at school, including the lunches in schools programme, removing school donations, and making period products available for those who need them. The Government has not been clear about what will happen to any of these important projects,” Jan Tinetti said.

A petition to protect sexual education guidelines in schools is available to sign here.