Tamati Coffey. FILE
Rotorua Labour Party spokesman Tamati Coffey has given "two thumbs up" to the party's newly unveiled caucus.
Labour Party leader Andrew Little today unveiled his new caucus, based on "hard work, talent and fresh ideas".
With new faces and the promotion of three Maori MPs within it's mix, the 20-strong
shadow cabinet aims to grab two ticks from voters in the 2017 election. In a statement released tonight, Labour Rotorua said it had earned "two thumbs up" from Mr Coffey.
"This reshuffle is really exciting. In Andrew Little and Annette King, there is a strong mix of fresh ideas and solid experience," Mr Coffey said.
"We have people that aren't afraid to stand up for Kiwis headlining our new front bench. Kelvin Davis, in seat seven, takes on Maori Development. As Labour MP for Te Tai Tokerau, he has hit out against the government's relaxed stance on the Christmas Island detainees and led the charge against the circus that is the private operation by foreign companies of our prisons.
"Phil Twyford, Labour MP for Te Atatu, has been holding John Key to account around the sale of state houses, and the crisis in the Auckland housing market which is now having roll-on effects on our own."
With members of the Labour caucus frequent visitors to Rotorua during 2015, Mr Coffey said that care and attention would only increase.
"In the shadow cabinet, Stuart Nash, Labour MP for Napier and spokesperson for Forestry, lived in Rotorua whilst learning the ins and outs of our national forestry industry. Jacinda Ardern grew up in Murupara, where her Dad was the police constable.
"We also have a clear directive from Andrew Little about our focus in the run up to 2017; jobs, jobs and jobs. As a party, Labour has never wavered from this issue in our 99 years of existence. No other party can say that.
"Combined with today's announcement, it all makes for great news as we head into our centenary celebrations next year."
