Our 2011 election manifesto - Labour Party

Those same people are now having to travel to receive support as health services, elder
care, IRD, and other government agencies face funding cuts and jobs are centralised.
Labour will consider the employment effects on regional New Zealand of any planned
centralisation of government services.
The rollout of Ultra Fast Broadband has excluded many rural New Zealanders from access
and once again isolated the hard working productive communities and families from many
important opportunities. Labour does not believe that the coverage of the UFB should be
limited to 75% of New Zealanders. Any extension will be paid for by extending the timeline
for and/or using the money that will be returned to Crown Fibre Holdings by the Local Fibre
Companies (LFCs) and Chorus.
New Zealand needs high speed broadband across urban and rural areas. Our future
networks will rely primarily on fibre, but we accept there are parts of New Zealand that will
struggle to get access to fibre in the near future because of geographical isolation.
Labour will ensure such remote areas are given priority under the Rural Broadband
Initiative for access via satellite, wireless or other means.
For further information, see Labour‟s ICT policy.
Labour understands the importance of quality roading in provincial areas and believes that
local roads are being short-changed by the current regime. This part of the infrastructure is
essential in terms of regional development. Much of the nation‟s exports originate in the
regions and require infrastructure which allows for safe and efficient movement.
Labour will ensure the funding for local roads is not further undermined by the
excessive focus on Roads of National Significance.
Adverse events
Labour in government reintroduced support from central government for farmers and
communities severely affected by droughts and floods. Policy was then developed to
establish clear guidelines to assess and act in times of adverse events affecting rural New
Zealanders where previously none had existed. Support to enable farmers to clean up flood
affected properties and drought stricken farms to purchase feed for animals is both humane
and a smart investment in the productive sectors.
Labour will continue to provide support for farmers affected by Adverse Climatic
Events using the policy criteria established when in Government.
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