*Today, Northland Labour candidate, u/dyljam, delivered his last major speech of the election campaign in Kamo.*

“Good afternoon everyone, I would like to thank you all for making it here today. I am very pleased that we are on the last leg of this election campaign. Whilst there are many things that I look forward to during election campaigns, I will certainly be glad when this one is over. I am incredibly thankful for the support of our volunteers, our party members, and of course our voters. This campaign has only been possible thanks to your tireless support and commitment. So please, give these people a round of applause.”

*The audience applauds and cheers*

“Despite previously retiring from politics for good… [*the audience chuchkes*], for the second time… [*more laughter*], I knew that I had to be part of this effort to thwart the National Party from forming a majority government. Their policies will hurt this country. They will hurt our schools and hospitals, our workers, our most vulnerable. I decided that I would not stand by and allow National to destroy all of the brilliant work that the Labour-Green government has achieved in their past few terms in government.”

*More cheers from the audience*

“This election, I am proud to be a part of a party with an outstanding leadership team. Lead by Lieselta, and with our two new Deputy Leaders; Trevism and sam-irl, the New Zealand Labour Party has produced a sensibly progressive policy platform, aimed at ensuring every New Zealander has the opportunity to be their very best. That every young New Zealander, can aspire to be whoever they wish. We will ensure that every Kiwi in this country has the tools to achieve their aspirations.”

*The audience claps*

“As the Deputy Prime Minister and Labour Leader said herself, this election is a crossroads for our country, and so every New Zealander must ensure that they have their voice listened to, that every adult votes. Because this election, you have the opportunity to decide two very different paths for the future of our great nation. You can choose National’s regressive, unfair and unequal New Zealand, or you can choose Labour’s progressive, fairer and egalitarian New Zealand. A country where everyone has equal opportunity to get ahead in life. A country that cares for their vulnerable. That’s the country that I want to live in.”

*The audience erupts into cheers and applause*

“From every Kiwi’s first steps, Labour will support you. Education always has been and always will be a top priority for the New Zealand Labour Party. Because unlike others, we don’t see education as an expense, but as an investment in our future. It is through education that we future-proof our nation. That we ensure young New Zealanders have the tools available to them to succeed in a fast-changing world. Starting from the very beginning, we will support and empower early learning opportunities. We will ensure that we continue to increase education funding. We will better equip our young people as they leave school, with the tools for them to navigate adulthood. And we will remove unnecessary means-testing on student loans and degrees, and ensure that those who can pay their fair share do pay their fair share!”

*There are more cheers from the audience*

“We will stand up for Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Te Reo Māori, and the tangata whenua of Aotearoa New Zealand. We will protect the multiculturalism which makes us the proud nation that we are today, and we will enshrine te Tiriti and ensure that it is protected. We will provide teachers with the tools and assistance they need to give lessons in Te Reo. We will introduce legislation to institute a Maori Governorship Body, to ensure that the principles of Te Tirit o Waitangi are upheld by our government. Labour will support increased educational opportunities for tangata whenua, and will ensure that funding is allocated towards dedicated professional development programmes that are proven to raise educational achievement for Maori. We will also continue to support Maori electorates, and stand against any proposal for their abolition.”

*More clapping and cheering is heard*

“We will ensure that all New Zealanders get a fair go, and we will support the healthy growth of our progressive economy. We will work towards an economy which allows business to thrive, and working New Zealanders to be treated fair and equal. Firstly, we will ensure that the minimum wage remains a living wage, and will stand firmly against any attempt by National to have this changed. We will not allow National to degrade hardworking men and women to second-class citizens. We will continue to ensure that welfare payments are set as a fair level, protecting those who are unable to work, and give a helping hand to those looking for employment. We will see our economy grow, and we will support New Zealand’s entry into the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.”

*The audience claps once again*

“And when it comes to workers, the New Zealand Labour Party will always put the interests of hard-working New Zealanders first! We will stand firm against National’s attempts to blackmail workers, stripping their pay if they partake in industrial action, and disempowering trade unions. We will always protect unions, and stand firmly against any attempt to disempower them. We will protect the right of workers to participate in solidarity strikes. And we will improve our nation’s workplace safety laws. Because everyone deserves to get home safely at the end of each shift.”

*Further applause is heard from the audience*

“It’s in Labour’s DNA to fight for the right of all New Zealanders to world-class healthcare and hospitals. We believe that healthcare is a fundamental human right, and a person’s access to quality healthcare services should not be decided on their income level or socio-economic status. We will strongly oppose any attempt by the National Party to reduce healthcare funding, or privitise our nation’s healthcare system. We will also seek to introduce new legislation to protect our paramedics who work on the front line of our healthcare system. We will protect paramedics from our regions to our cities. Because no person should ever be injured or abused – or worse – whilst working on the job.”

*The audience applauds*

“We will protect and support New Zealand’s LGBT community. We have a number of openly LGBT people in our Labour caucus, and this first-hand experience has put us in a unique position to understanding the need to end discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation once and for all. To do this, we will improve LGBT and sexual education in our schools. It is widely acknowledged that education results in respect in this matter. We will also ensure that discrimination against people on the basis of their sexuality is illegal, and stays illegal. We will work to ensure that New Zealand remains a nation free of discrimination.”

*More cheers and applause*

“We in the Labour Party recognise that it is a fundamental desire of all Kiwis to find a place of your own, but that for many this is becoming increasingly difficult. The market is becoming harder for those buying their first home to break into. Renting in our cities and regions is also becoming more affordable. Labour is committed to ensuring that all New Zealanders can get a home of their own. That’s why we will continue to increase the number of new houses constructed each year. We will also implement new initiatives to assist Kiwis get into a place of their own, whether be owned, privately rented or state-owned. We will do this because it is a fundamental belief of the Labour Party that regardless of their situation, all New Zealanders should have the opportunity to get into their own home.”

*The audience cheers and applauds once more*

“Labour is committed to improving New Zealand’s public transportation systems. We want to see more people getting out of their cars, and on to trains and buses. We recognise that with a growing population, our transport systems need to be upgraded and expanded. We are committed to constructing new electric rail lines, as well as the upgrade and electrification of existing lines. We will also invest in new freight infrastructure to serve our growing population, coupled with upgrades to important road corridors.”

*Applause from the audience*

“And last but certainly not least, Labour will protect our environment and take meaningful action to prevent climate change! We will continue the fight that we have pioneered over the past three terms of government. We will ensure that the government continues to take a strong stand against global warming, and we will put pressure on a National government to do the same. We will also continue to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels, as we work to transition New Zealand towards renewable sources of energy, such as solar, wind, hydro and geothermal.”

*More applause is heard*

“This election, it is vital that you get out and vote! And it is vital you vote for sensible, progressive policy! Only the New Zealand Labour Party can assure these things. Only the New Zealand Labour Party can deliver meaningful reform and represent the interests of hard-working Kiwis! Make sure you get out and vote two ticks Labour!”

*There is a wave of cheering and applauding, as dyljam steps off stage and mingles with the audience, taking their questions and listening to their concerns.*