New Zealand Labour Party

ENG - The New Zealand Labour Party is a New Zealand political party. It describes itself as centre-left and socially liberal, and Progressive, and has been one of the two primary parties of New Zealand politics since 1935.

After defeat in the 2008 elections, the Labour party forms the rump of the New Zealand's caretaker government. It is expected to form the second-largest (in terms of parliamentary seats) political party represented in the next New Zealand Parliament, and thus now functions as the core of the Official Parliamentary Opposition.

On 8 November 2008, former leader Helen Clark announced she was stepping down as leader, saying a new leader was expected to be named by Christmas. Her Deputy Michael Cullen followed her the next day. On 11 November 2008 the parliamentary party caucus chose Phil Goff and Annette King to replace Ms. Clark and Mr. Have you voted for or against New Zealand Labour Party ? Cullen respectively.

History

The Labour Party was established on 7 July 1916 in Wellington, bringing together socialist groups advocating proportional representation and "the Recall" of Members of Parliament, as well as the nationalisation of production and of exchange. Its origins lie in the British working-class movement, heavily influenced by Australian radicalism and events such as the Waihi miners' strike. It is the oldest political party in New Zealand.

The Labour Party was an amalgamation of a number of early groups, the oldest of which was founded in 1901. The process of unifying these diverse groups into a single party was difficult, with tensions between different factions running strong.

Leader: Phil Goff

President: Andrew. Little

Deputy: Annette King

Founded: 7 July 1916

Political Ideology: Democratic Socialism, Social Democracy, Social Liberalism, Progressivism

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