Our 2011 election manifesto - Labour Party

Pacific leadership
Since the first arrivals into Aotearoa from 1945 onwards, Pacific people have firmly
established themselves as an integral characteristic of the modern New Zealand. Pacific
communities have a desire to take stock of their journey thus far and to create a new vision
for the way forward for the next generation.
Labour is committed to working with the Pacific community to create that vision for Pacific
peoples in New Zealand and for the next generations of leaders to pursue. We will ensure it
receives whole of government recognition, attention, priority and appropriate action and
resourcing.
Labour will establish an annual Pacific forum for the purposes of supporting the
Pacific community to create and build a new collective vision for Pacific people in
New Zealand.
Pacific women
Pacific communities recognise that the unique role of bearing and raising children more often
falls heavily on women. In some families the role of providing care to the sick, a disabled
member of the family, or elderly are additional responsibilities carried by Pacific women, and
sometimes carried alone and without recognition, support, or remuneration.
Labour recognises that these roles and responsibilities are important for the building up of a
strong, healthy and inclusive society, and should be given recognition.
We will encourage increasing participation rates of women accessing tertiary and community
education opportunities.
Labour will immediately restore $13 million cut from ACE funding to improve access
to adult and community education.
Labour will immediately restore $2 million to the Training Incentive Allowance and
commit to further increases over time so women on social welfare benefits can obtain
qualifications that give greater opportunity for themselves and their children.
Labour will remove barriers to women‟s participation in post-compulsory education
for women of all ages.
Labour will actively work towards eliminating barriers that prevent women from
entering male dominated apprenticeships and industries.
Labour will recognise the care of young children as valuable work, and an important stage in
both parents‟ and children‟s lives. Labour wants to enable parents who choose to stay at
home and care for very young children to do just that.
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