The Labour Party is soon to announce more policy around health, ACC and care of the elderly, but not before MP Iain Lees-Galloway has toured the regions seeking grassroots input.
The Labour MP for Palmerston North was in Rotorua yesterday, speaking with staff from Te Utuhina Manaakitanga Trust, who help people with drug and alcohol addictions, Recovery Solutions, who help those with mental illness transition back into the community, Age Concern Rotorua and Greypower Rotorua, and the ACC Advocacy Support Trust, which supports people having problems with ACC.
Mr Lees-Galloway said it was always enlightening to hear from people most affected by government policy.
"There are a range of issues coming through, especially regarding ACC and compensation.
"Many people are being told they must return to work before they are actually ready.
"ACC are also discovering pre-existing or degenerative conditions rather than paying out on a claim and there are also issues about independent ACC assessors."
He said Labour were committed to reviewing some of the processes employed by ACC but he stopped short of suggesting a royal commission of inquiry be launched if the party came to power in September's elections.
"There are also a lot of challenges in terms of aged care and our ageing population.
"Our caregivers are very much underpaid and undervalued, but you can expect to hear a lot more policy detail closer to the election."
Mr Lees-Galloway was also full of praise for Rotorua candidate Tamati Coffey.
"We have a superb candidate here in Tamati. I don't need to help him out much.
"He's making a great connection with the community. Rotorua would be very well served having him as their MP," he said.
Today, Labour MP Clayton Cosgrove will be in Rotorua on the campaign trail.
He will address an open meeting at Nuvolari on Eat Streat from 12.30-2pm, about finance, commerce and building issues.