Our 2011 election manifesto - Labour Party

languages so Pacific children have the right to grow up speaking, reading and writing
in their own heritage language(s) from a young age.
Health
Labour is committed to enhancing the well-being of all New Zealanders, so they can live
longer, healthier lives – including Pacific people and their families. Labour will ensure all
Pacific people have fair access to quality, affordable health care.
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 the Pacific population and all New Zealanders.
A positive and preventative approach to the wellbeing of our pacific population is essential to
their success. Through their link to their cultures Pacific peoples face unique health
challenges. But their culture and networks also offer treatment paths in which to combat
those challenges.
Labour will, as part of the wider Pacific policy, focus on developing a healthy, strong
and vibrant community now and into the future through:
Reducing inequalities
Targeting the reduction of obesity, diabetes and heart diseases
Smoking cessation amongst Pacific Youth
Mental Health
Halting alcohol abuse
Growing the Pacific health workforce, and
Ensuring safe and healthy homes
Reducing inequalities
Over the decade of the last Labour Government access to affordable healthcare became
easier for Pacific families. Labour ensured the cost of seeing a doctor and obtaining
prescriptions was made affordable. Other initiatives made available to all New Zealanders,
such as B4 School Checks, free health care for under 6‟s and fruit in schools, also had
positive outcomes for Pacific peoples.
Under National the access and affordability of quality healthcare for Pacific people has gone
backwards.
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