Labour heads to lost heartland

Labour MPs yesterday descended on the West Coast for regional "reconnection" visits and a caucus retreat.

Party leader Phil Goff said it was part of a programme to reach out to communities.

After Labour lost the election Mr Goff acknowledged that the party had lost touch with voters on important issues.

The 43-member caucus will hold its retreat in Greymouth today. Yesterday Mr Goff and deputy leader Annette King visited Hokitika and Greymouth. Tomorrow they will be joined by a group of MPs, making contact with people in Dobson, Stillwater and Paroa. Other groups of MPs will spread out around the region.

Labour has ground to make up on the West Coast. In heartland territory - the Labour Party was founded in Blackball - it lost the West Coast-Tasman seat at the last election. National's Chris Auchinvole beat Labour's sitting MP Damien O'Connor by 971 votes.

- NZPA