First and foremost, I want to give a big thank you to our Indian communities for welcoming the Labour team and I into your spaces this year, be it into your businesses or at big events like Diwali!
It’s been a massive year for Labour. We’ve heard loud and clear from our communities on what matters most to them – and that was jobs, health, homes and real action on the cost of living.
It’s been a hard year for so many Kiwis. Record numbers of businesses are closing, record numbers of people are leaving the country, and too many people are without work.
So many of our Indian business owners are feeling the pain of a failing economy. Christopher Luxon promised to fix things, instead he’s made things worse.
Having met with many of our Indian business leaders throughout the year – I’m heartened with just how resilient they are.
No matter the struggles, I’m often greeted with warm smiles whenever I meet them. They’re future focused and eager to continue making big contributions to their communities and the country.
That’s the unbreakable Kiwi spirit for you.
In 2019 alone, our Indian communities contributed about $10 billion to the NZ economy. That’s incredible. That’s a future made here in New Zealand that Labour is backing.
It’s this innovation, as we’ve seen so much of from our Indian communities, that we want to invest in through our newly announced New Zealand Future Fund.
I, like many families, want my kids to lead great lives, rich with opportunities right here at home.
I’m certainly thinking of our graduates – our engineers, our health workers, and our young entrepreneurs – who are struggling to find their feet at home and now looking abroad for better opportunity.
Labour has a plan to build a New Zealand that works for everyone. A country where everyone can get ahead, afford the basics, and of course - see a doctor when you need one.
That leads me to another policy that has been widely welcomed – with Labour’s Medicard all New Zealanders will have access to three free doctor’s visits a year and free cervical screening.
Labour will make it cheaper and easier to get care close to home, and make sure hospitals are there when you need them.
I know that access to health is top of mind for many of our Indian families – and we want to give you this peace of mind so that it’s one less worry for you and your loved ones.
As we head into the summer break – have a well-earned rest, soak up the sun, stay safe – and I look forward to seeing you all again in the new year!
Labour leader Chris Hipkins