Our 2011 election manifesto - Labour Party

Labour will continue to support funding for public transport and energy-efficient
freight transport modes such as rail.
Labour aims to halve per capita transport emissions by 2040. This will also make transport
more affordable and reduce oil imports (and in turn our international trade deficit).
Labour will halve New Zealand‟s per capita domestic transport emissions by 2040.
Lifting the use of indigenous energy resources for transport will have positive spin-offs for
the economy and the environment. For example, locally made sustainable biofuel can be
produced using tallow and, as the technology becomes available, wood. Biofuel will both
reduce our dependence on oil and cut our greenhouse gas emissions.
Labour will promote locally produced biofuel, especially using wood as the
technology becomes available.
Active transport
An increase in walking and cycling is a credible part of transport policy which will do three
important things: improve health through physical activity; reduce transport emissions; and
also reduce the demand for transport, leading to less congestion and overcrowding.
In order to realise these benefits, we must make walking and cycling convenient and viable
transport options wherever possible.
Labour is committed to the promotion of active transport as a vital part of our
transport policy.
Coastal shipping
Labour wants to improve the prospects of coastal shipping. Total freight movements are
expected to more than double by 2040, putting huge pressure on the transportation system.
Shipping has a vital role to play in meeting this expected growth in freight movement, and it
is a key part of an integrated transport network.
Labour will revisit the “Sea Change” strategy we launched in 2008, which aimed to
revitalise and transform coastal shipping in New Zealand.
Labour will tag funding from the National Land Transport Programme to facilitate an
increase in coastal shipping. This is important as we explore ways to avoid a high
carbon future.
The grounding of MV Rena off Tauranga has graphically illustrated the destructiveness of
even a relatively small oil spill.
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