Our 2011 election manifesto - Labour Party

Labour will urgently review New Zealand‟s preparedness for marine oil spills,
especially the capability of Maritime New Zealand.
Labour will accede to the international treaties which define and simplify the
compensation regime that applies in the event of future oil spills.
Labour will review the minimum technical requirements for navigation systems of
large vessels operating in New Zealand waters.
Labour‟s strategy is for at least 30 per cent of inter-regional freight to be carried by sea by
the year 2040, up from the current 15 per cent share.
Labour‟s view is that we need a more inter-modal approach to handling future freight growth.
There will be an expanded role for both rail and coastal shipping because we believe freight
must be moved as efficiently as possible with everyone paying their fair share.
Labour will urgently investigate the viability of upgrading the rail link directly into the
Auckland container port.
Port reform
Pressure is building around the port reform agenda. International shippers tell us they are
going to bring in larger vessels; exporters are after the best price possible and port
companies are facing massive development challenges.
The promise of bigger ships will be driven by commercial criteria. There may be other
options which enable our smaller ports to act as spokes to larger ports in both the South
Island and North Island. Such developments ought to take account of matters such as rail
infrastructure.
Any attempt at port reform must have the involvement of the port owners, the shipping
companies, the exporters and the organised unions.
Labour will develop a national port strategy to provide the basis for the coordination
of New Zealand ports as an essential part of our logistics infrastructure.
Labour will put in place a new model of national co-ordination, convened by
Government and representing stakeholders, to develop a strategic approach to ports
and to maximise the effective operations of ports as part of New Zealand‟s logistics
infrastructure.
Kiwirail
Labour‟s buy-back of our railway system and establishment of KiwiRail when we were last in
office presented a real opportunity to build a sustainable nationwide transport network,
however that opportunity has been going unanswered by the National government. Labour
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