Labour Reforms Move Ahead

In its first national executive (New Zealand Council) meeting since its recent Annual Conference, meeting in Wellington for the past two days, further steps have been taken to implement the outcomes of the Organisational Review. 

Building on the three driving themes of the reforms – member empowerment, a sharper focus on the Party Vote and organisational renewal – the Party has agreed a dynamic action plan to take it through the next year. 

Key to the new approach are:

·      The establishment of 16 hubs covering the whole of New Zealand and bringing together MPs, Party members and union affiliates in groups of electorates to campaign intensively for the Party vote.

·      Promotion of the new registered supporter category, and initial membership through a koha (donation).

·      Debating and agreeing a policy platform, a permanent statement of Labour policy and values, from which the General Election Manifesto would be built.

The final stages of planning a new approach to candidate selection will be completed at Conference 2013, building on the Strategic Selection Criteria approach agreed this year.  The 2013 Conference will be held in Christchurch.

Moira Coatsworth, President of the New Zealand Labour Party, said today:
 
            “We in Labour came out of our recent Annual Conference – the largest for a quarter century - with confidence.  We are ready for two years of intense campaigning required to rid New Zealand of this government.  There are big changes afoot, and we are managing that change with confidence”.
 
The New Zealand Council meeting also considered an application for membership of the Labour Party from Hon John Tamihere.  This has been accepted.  The Council noted that by becoming a member he is obliged, as is every member, to subscribe to the Constitution and policy of the Party.

ENDS

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