Steph Lewis gets chance to shape Labour Party policy

Steph Lewis is on the Labour Party policy council

Whanganui's 2017 Labour Party candidate is hoping to use her chance to shape party policy to focus on the regions.

Steph Lewis has been elected to party's Policy Council for the current election cycle.

Ms Lewis ran for the Whanganui seat last year, losing to another first-time candidate, National Party's Harete Hipango, by about 1700 votes.

Labour's Policy Council will help the party develop policy to take into the 2020 general election.

"We had policy come out last year that I really enjoyed campaigning on," Ms Lewis said.

But she felt there needed to be a stronger focus on what impact it would have on regions and how it would be implemented.

"It's more than just making sure services are funded, it's also about making sure services exist outside the main cities," she said.

"One of the things I want to do on the council is look at policy through a regional lens.

"I will push for strong, regionally focused policies that will benefit Whanganui and South Taranaki."

Ms Lewis will have to win party nomination to stand again for the Whanganui seat but said it was her intention to have another shot.

"I have a lot of people telling me they'd like me to stand again."

Since last year's election Ms Lewis has taken a role with New Zealand Customs.