Labour Party list for 2008 election announced

Eight talented New Zealanders will strengthen Labour's team of MPs in a few months time according to Labour President Mike Williams.

Labour's 37-strong Moderating Committee met yesterday in Auckland to determine the Party's most significant list in years.

Mike Williams said the Labour Party has been deliberately operating a programme of renewal for the last few years and it has paid off.

Mr Williams said he had never seen such resolve and determination from the Moderating Committee to ensure new performers were placed high enough on the list to enter Parliament.

"As I predicted our biggest problem was an embarrassment of riches in terms of the very high calibre of our candidates," he said.

The highest ranking non-MP at number 12 is DrRajen Prasad the
former Chief Families Commissioner and former Race Relations Conciliator. Dr Prasad has 40 years experience promoting positive relations amongst all New Zealand peoples, including social work, teaching and advocacy for families.

Next on the list of non-MPs at number 20 is 28-year-old Jacinda Ardern currently campaigning from London where she is employed as Senior Policy Advisory to the Home Secretary, Sir Ronnie Flanagan.

Jacinda is President of the International Union of Socialist Youth. IUSY is the largest political youth organisation in the world and holds consultative status with the United Nations. She's the first NZer and only the second women to lead the organisation in its 100-year history.

Raymond Huo is at number 21. Lawyer and writer, Raymond came to New Zealand in 1994 from Beijing, China. Raymond has an extensive network of contacts throughout the Asian communities in both New Zealand and overseas. Formerly from Brookfields and Hesketh Henry, he has recently joined Queen City Law as a senior associate. He has also been an "on-call" bi-language lawyer for NZ Customs since 2006.

Number 26 is the former global head of policy for Oxfam,Phil Twyford. Phil led the humanitarian group's campaigning and lobbying out of Washington DC for four years. Prior to that he was the founding executive director of Oxfam in New Zealand.

He returned to New Zealand with his family in 2004. Since then he has run NZ Book Month for the bookselling industry, and has worked as an international development consultant. He is secretary of Labour's Policy Council, serves on its governing council, and is the candidate for North Shore.

Well known CTU Secretary Carol Beaumont is next at number 28. Carol is expected to win the Maungakiekie seat – long held by Hon Mark Gosche who is retiring from politics after the election. Carol has extensive experience in organisations working for social justice, including unions, women's, students groups and community health initiatives both here and abroad.

Number 29is school principal and passionate Maori education advocate Kelvin Davis. Kelvin is a television commentator and is Labour's Te Tai Tokerau candidate. Kelvin's proven ability in raising Maori achievement will help us help Maori achieve their full potential.

Next amongst those likely to enter Parliament after the election at number 35 is Carmel Sepuloni. Carmel is of Samoan, Tongan and Palagi descent, is a member of the Tonganz Advisory Council and she's an Equity Manager at the University of Auckland.

Also to enter Parliament is Stuart Nash at number 36 on the list. Stuart is the former Director of Strategic Development at AUT and international marketing and business manager. He is currently Chief Executive of the Art Deco Trust in Napier

Ranking Name Electorate

1 Helen Clark Mt Albert

2 Michael Cullen List only

3 Phil Goff Mt Roskill

4 Annette King Rongotai

5 Parekura Horomia Ikaroa Rawhiti

6 Pete Hodgson Dunedin North

7 Chris Carter Te Atatu

8 David Cunliffe New Lynn

9 Maryan Street Nelson

10 Nanaia Mahuta Hauraki-Waikato

11 Winnie Laban Mana

12 Rajen Prasad List only

13 Ruth Dyson Port Hills

14 Trevor Mallard Hutt South

15 Lianne Dalziel Christchurch East

16 Shane Jones Northland

17 David Parker Waitaki

18 Clayton Cosgrove Waimakariri

19 Darren Hughes Otaki

20 Jacinda Ardern List only

21 Raymond Huo List only

22 Sue Moroney Hamilton East

23 Mita Ririnui Waiariki

24 William Sio Mangere

25 Moana Mackey East Coast

26 Phil Twyford North Shore

27 Charles Chauvel Ohariu

28 Carol Beaumont Maungakiekie

29 Kelvin Davis Te Tai Tokerau

30 Steve Chadwick Rotorua

31 Ashraf Choudhary List only

32 Lynne Pillay Waitakere

33 Darien Fenton Helensville

34 Rick Barker Tukituki

35 Carmel Sepuloni List only

36 Stuart Nash List only

37 Damien O'Connor West Coast Tasman

38 Judith Tizard Auckland Central

39 Mark Burton Taupo

40 Mahara Okeroa Te Tai Tonga

41 Martin Gallagher Hamilton West

42 Dave Hereora Papakura

43 Louisa Wall Tamaki Makaurau

44 Lesley Soper Invercargill

45 Clare Curran Dunedin South

46 Grant Robertson Wellington Central

47 Chris Hipkins Rimutaka

48 Iain Lees-Galloway Palmerston North

49 Brendon Burns Christchurch Central

50 Hamish McCracken Northcote

51 Erin Ebborn-Gillespie Wigram

52 Errol Mason Te Tai Hauauru

53 Chris Yoo List only

54 Josephine Bartley Tamaki

55 Don Pryde Clutha Southland

56 Michael Wood List only

57 Farida Sultana List only

58 Denise MacKenzie Wairarapa

59 Julian Blanchard Rangitata

60 Hamish McDouall Whanganui

61 Anjum Rahmen List only

62 Susan Zhu List only

63 Kate Sutton Epsom

64 Conor Roberts Rodney

65 Koro Tawa Botany

66 Jills Angus-Burney Rangitikei

67 Vivienne Goldsmith East Coast Bays

68 Eamon Daly List only

69 Brian Kelly Pakuranga

70 Jordan Carter Hunua

71 Tracey Dorreen List only

72 Renee van de Weert Taranaki-King Country

73 Anne Pankhurst Tauranga

74 David Coates Selwyn

75 Hugh Kinnimonth Coromandel

76 Carol Devoy-Heena Bay of Plenty

77 Raj Thandi List only

ENDS

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