Kelvin Davis
Deputy Leader Labour Party
Kia ora,
Ra whanau ki a tatou! Today is the 105th birthday of the Labour Party.
It’s a big milestone for Labour, and a great chance for all of us to come together and celebrate everything that brought Labour to where we are today, while we keep looking ahead to the future.
I’m proud that everyone in our party is working so that all New Zealanders, regardless of the waka we arrived on, have the opportunity to live our best lives.
Though we’re celebrating 105 years as a Labour Party, our origins go much further back. In 1840, a carpenter in Petone named Samuel Parnell insisted on an eight-hour working day. This spirit of justice and belief in a better life has flowed through our movement ever since.
For Labour as a party, these 105 years have seen so many successes in making Aotearoa better for all who live here.
I want to acknowledge all our leaders, past and present. From Michael Joseph Savage, who moved furniture into the first state house way back in 1937, to Peter Fraser who was involved in setting up the United Nations. From Norm Kirk who helped Aotearoa recommit to Te Tiriti, to David Lange who said no to nukes and yes to the rainbow community. From Helen Clark who helped us Kiwis save for tomorrow, to Jacinda Ardern who stood up to hate and stood up for our health.
But our movement has always been about much more than party leaders, and much more than MPs, too. We are a people-powered party – always have been. For 105 years, the foundation for all our achievements is the people who share our values and support our mission. The people who keep fighting for our party, and for a better Aotearoa.
Today, that’s you.
I think about the people who turn up to their local branch meetings, who organise raffles, who volunteer to have signs on their fences. I think about the people who’ve signed petitions, put their hands up and stepped forward. People who chip in, help out, and turn up with hope and a firm belief that we can make things better if we all work together.
This birthday is your celebration, and it’s a celebration for everyone in this country whose lives are better today because of the work Labour has done these past 105 years.
Our history shows us the might of the many, the power of our people, and the forging of Aotearoa.
Serving as the Deputy Leader for this Party has been and continues to be an honour. I hope each and every one of you takes a moment to celebrate this day. Because this day is a day for our people; he tangata, he tangata, he tangata.
Ra whanau!
Thanks for being part of this. There have been some ups and downs over 105 years, but we made a difference yesterday, we’re making a difference today, and we’ll keep making a difference tomorrow, too. I have lofty hopes for the future of the party, and I know you all do too.
Nga mihi,
Kelvin Davis,
Deputy Leader
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