Putting people first: the New Zealand Labour Party’s 99th Annual Conference
The New Zealand Labour Party’s Annual Conference has always played a significant role in emphasising Labour’s vision and direction and inspiring party members and supporters to be a part of both. This year, our 99th annual conference was no different except that it also had a special vibe about it, as our Deputy Leader Annette King noted. It was an atmosphere of unity, fun and a sense of common purpose.
I have been attending Labour Party annual conferences since 2006 and they have always been an opportunity for learning, debating, and also for catching up with friends and colleagues from around New Zealand—a bit like an extended family reunion. This year, the annual conference was held in Palmerston North over three days last weekend, and it was one of the best conferences I have ever attended. Here’s why.
Considering this is one of the few occasions that we get to catch up with Labour friends from across New Zealand, the first ritual of the annual conference is to pick the sessions we wouldn’t mind skipping to make way for more catch ups. This year, it was incredibly difficult to do that. To me, that’s the first mark of an excellent annual conference.
The second test is whether that initial judgement is justified. Reflecting on the conference now, I can say it absolutely was. We had some powerful speeches from Labour stalwarts such as former MP Maryan Street, who was awarded life membership of the Labour Party at Annual Conference, Deputy Leader Annette King and Finance spokesperson, Grant Robertson among others. We also had some excellent external speakers, robust policy debates, thought-provoking sessions, and of course, entertainment in the evenings.
Maryan Street’s speech was definitely one of the highlights for me. She reminded us that Labour is historically the party that has stood for all the values we hold strong. For example, we built state houses and banned nuclear warships. We stand for a reducing both economic inequality as well as social and gender inequality. We have never needed to choose between them. Similarly, we stand for innovation and investment and for human rights—the right for women and children to be safe; the rights of workers to have a sense of job security, safety and a life of dignity.
We stand for those whose voices are usually unheard and we always will. The only difference is those voices are increasing in number. Last year on the campaign trail, I spoke to a number of small business owners who felt that their voices were largely unheard. They were struggling to make ends meet and felt nobody cared. As such, I was extraordinarily pleased when Andrew Little mentioned the need to update our definition of working people to include those who work for themselves, in one of his very first speeches as the Leader of the Labour Party.
We also stand firm on the need to strengthen the economy but the difference is, as Grant Robertson emphasised in his speech at annual conference, we believe the economy is there to serve the interests of people, to be the means to a better life for all our people. It is a means to an end and not an end in itself. As Deputy Leader and Health spokesperson Annette King pointed out the health system is not all about balance sheets and achieving volumes and targets. The health system is there to serve the needs of the people. Sadly, recent staff surveys from District Health Boards report that patient care and treatment is being compromised, and there is not enough staff. Meal breaks and leave are being forgone. There is almost $500 million owing in untaken leave. That is dangerous for staff and patients.
The housing crisis was also on the agenda. We heard from one of New Zealand’s leading economists and author of Generation Rent, Shamubeel Eaqub on the housing crisis in New Zealand (particularly Auckland). He said that we now have the lowest home ownership rates since the 1950s; that with 50 per cent of New Zealanders renting we are seeing a generation of renters for whom home ownership is beyond reach. Renters lack security of tenure. And the main reason for all of this is a distinct lack in leadership to address the crisis.
Finally, it is difficult to talk about the conference and not mention the Leader’s address, which traditionally wraps up the annual conference. Andrew Little was relaxed, focused, poised and delivered an address that was both passionate and considered.
New Zealand is a great place to live. That’s why many of us, myself included, moved here. However, there is still so much more to be done to make it great for all of us including those who work hard but whose voices are rarely heard. I’ve always been proud to belong to a party that prioritises equity, justice and opportunity—that’s why I joined almost 10 years ago, stood as a candidate last year and continue to volunteer with Labour. That’s why I am Labour and always will be.
Priyanca Radhakrishnan
Member, Labour Party Policy Council
The New Zealand Labour Party’s Annual Conference has always played a significant role in emphasising Labour’s vision and direction and inspiring party members and supporters to be a part of both. This year, our 99th annual conference was no different except that it also had a special vibe about...
The New Zealand Labour Party’s Annual Conference has always played a significant role in emphasising Labour’s vision and direction and inspiring party members and supporters to be a part of both. This year, our 99th annual conference was no different except that it also had a special vibe about it, as our Deputy Leader Annette King noted. It was an atmosphere of unity, fun and a sense of common purpose.
I have been attending Labour Party annual conferences since 2006 and they have always been an opportunity for learning, debating, and also for catching up with friends and colleagues from around New Zealand—a bit like an extended family reunion. This year, the annual conference was held in Palmerston North over three days last weekend, and it was one of the best conferences I have ever attended. Here’s why.
Considering this is one of the few occasions that we get to catch up with Labour friends from across New Zealand, the first ritual of the annual conference is to pick the sessions we wouldn’t mind skipping to make way for more catch ups. This year, it was incredibly difficult to do that. To me, that’s the first mark of an excellent annual conference.
The second test is whether that initial judgement is justified. Reflecting on the conference now, I can say it absolutely was. We had some powerful speeches from Labour stalwarts such as former MP Maryan Street, who was awarded life membership of the Labour Party at Annual Conference, Deputy Leader Annette King and Finance spokesperson, Grant Robertson among others. We also had some excellent external speakers, robust policy debates, thought-provoking sessions, and of course, entertainment in the evenings.
Maryan Street’s speech was definitely one of the highlights for me. She reminded us that Labour is historically the party that has stood for all the values we hold strong. For example, we built state houses and banned nuclear warships. We stand for a reducing both economic inequality as well as social and gender inequality. We have never needed to choose between them. Similarly, we stand for innovation and investment and for human rights—the right for women and children to be safe; the rights of workers to have a sense of job security, safety and a life of dignity.
We stand for those whose voices are usually unheard and we always will. The only difference is those voices are increasing in number. Last year on the campaign trail, I spoke to a number of small business owners who felt that their voices were largely unheard. They were struggling to make ends meet and felt nobody cared. As such, I was extraordinarily pleased when Andrew Little mentioned the need to update our definition of working people to include those who work for themselves, in one of his very first speeches as the Leader of the Labour Party.
We also stand firm on the need to strengthen the economy but the difference is, as Grant Robertson emphasised in his speech at annual conference, we believe the economy is there to serve the interests of people, to be the means to a better life for all our people. It is a means to an end and not an end in itself. As Deputy Leader and Health spokesperson Annette King pointed out the health system is not all about balance sheets and achieving volumes and targets. The health system is there to serve the needs of the people. Sadly, recent staff surveys from District Health Boards report that patient care and treatment is being compromised, and there is not enough staff. Meal breaks and leave are being forgone. There is almost $500 million owing in untaken leave. That is dangerous for staff and patients.
The housing crisis was also on the agenda. We heard from one of New Zealand’s leading economists and author of Generation Rent, Shamubeel Eaqub on the housing crisis in New Zealand (particularly Auckland). He said that we now have the lowest home ownership rates since the 1950s; that with 50 per cent of New Zealanders renting we are seeing a generation of renters for whom home ownership is beyond reach. Renters lack security of tenure. And the main reason for all of this is a distinct lack in leadership to address the crisis.
Finally, it is difficult to talk about the conference and not mention the Leader’s address, which traditionally wraps up the annual conference. Andrew Little was relaxed, focused, poised and delivered an address that was both passionate and considered.
New Zealand is a great place to live. That’s why many of us, myself included, moved here. However, there is still so much more to be done to make it great for all of us including those who work hard but whose voices are rarely heard. I’ve always been proud to belong to a party that prioritises equity, justice and opportunity—that’s why I joined almost 10 years ago, stood as a candidate last year and continue to volunteer with Labour. That’s why I am Labour and always will be.
Priyanca Radhakrishnan
Member, Labour Party Policy Council
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