Our 2011 election manifesto - Labour Party

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Our vision
Kiwis are at their best when they are self-reliant, when they can celebrate their skills and
talents, and when they are able to lend a helping hand in tough times for others.
Labour believes that social development is more than just the passive payment of benefits.
Public policies in this area should ensure a contract with the community for social inclusion
of all New Zealanders for everyone to reach their full potential and participate positively in
society now and in the future.
Social development should ensure that the lives of New Zealanders are better in the future
while ensuring a long-term and inclusive approach is undertaken to address the difficulties
faced by the country.
Labour‟s approach to social development reflects all of this and takes a multi-faceted and
whole-of-Government approach rather than a fragmented and exclusionary approach to
social development.
Our goal is to ensure that every person in New Zealand has the best start in life, adequate
assistance when needed, and the tools to be productive members of our society.
Labour believes that New Zealand‟s success as a good place to raise children and build a
better life depends on ensuring that government invests in people. Our Children‟s policy
goes hand-in-hand with our social development policy.
Better income from work and fairer tax arrangements
The Labour Party was built on the philosophy that the best route out of poverty is paid work.
Sustainable employment is crucial to self-esteem, to achieving a good standard of living for
the whole family, and to providing a foundation for the success of current and future
generations.
Our fair tax and wages policies are designed to ensure that New Zealanders can secure a
job, afford a decent place to live, build a better life for their children and participate in their
communities.
Labour has already outlined policies to raise family incomes especially for those families on
low incomes.
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