A Future for All: Labour campaign launch in Auckland today

The crowd eagerly awaited as the hour approached. The Aotea Centre was packed full of excited Labour supporters. An enormous cheer erupted as party leader Fartoomuchpressure walked on stage. “Welcome, welcome. Thank you all for coming here today to show your support. It’s wonderful to see a full house in front of me, I understand there are many more outside who couldn’t fit in. I hope you can hear me and see me on the screens.”

“Over the last 30 years, New Zealand has been shaped by increasing inequality. In NZ we pride ourselves on being a country of equal opportunity but it is becoming increasingly clear this is not true. The Labour Party believes that this is one of the greatest issues facing New Zealanders. The growing divide between the haves and have-nots is hurting our country but it is within our power to change that. I can see a future without poverty, where all New Zealanders have the same chances. A future where your future is not decided by the colour of your skin or your parents’ jobs or where you were born but a future where every New Zealander can grow up, free from worrying about whether they can afford to eat, whether they’ll be able to pay that rent or if there is a brighter future ahead.”

“The gains of the last thirty years have not gone to everyday New Zealanders, while our GDP per capita has increased since the GFC but in real terms, wages haven’t increased at all. Almost ten years on and New Zealanders are no better off than they were in the worst recession since the Great Depression! The economic success of the last nine years is not our success.”

“Over the last thirty years inequality has been driven by our unfair tax system, which has placed the burden upon working-class families, preventing them from gaining wealth. For years, there have been cuts to income tax, which has been compensated for by increases in GST, which has disproportionately affected lower-income families, who spend a greater amount of their income on things such as rent and food.”

“Our tax system is designed to take wealth from those who need it most and leave the wealthiest people in our society alone. In the name of “reducing spending” and “putting money back in our pockets” government spending has been cut back. And we are starting to feel the effects of this. Our infrastructure is poorly maintained, and without more investment will be unable to keep up with our growing population. We have the resources to improve New Zealand, we just need to choose to use them.”

“The greatest existential threat to New Zealand is climate change. In a country so connected to its environment, we cannot ignore changes in the climate. Over half our population lives in coastal cities, where the effects of climate change will become very apparent over the coming decades. Those living in rural areas cannot ignore climate change either. Climate change is an issue for all New Zealanders.”

“For too long, important aspects of our society have been ignored in the name of progress. To that, I say: what good is progress if everyday New Zealanders are being left behind? Our government should not serve only those at the top, our government should be a government for all New Zealanders and that is what Labour will deliver. A government that ensures equal opportunity is the reality and not an ideal, a government that treats people as people and not as numbers, a government that does what it supposed to.”

“We can do better, we can constantly look towards the future, to create a better, sustainable future for our children. We can provide a future for all New Zealanders and with your help, we will provide a future for all New Zealanders.”

The crowd cheered as Fartoomuchpressure concluded his speech. More detailed information about policies alluded to in his speech are expected in the coming days.