Princes Street Labour

Princes Street Labour is a branch of the New Zealand Labour Party.

The branch forms part of Labour's Auckland Central LEC. It is what is known as a 'Special Branch' under the NZLP Constitution. This means that it's membership is open to members living outside the boundaries of Auckland Central electorate, and members do not have to be current students. Membership is open to academics and alumni as well. Most members are also students at the University of Auckland or Auckland University of Technology although some members are not students. Younger members of Princes Street Branch play a large role in Young Labour, the youth wing of the party.

The branch has been described as an "ideological powerhouse" of the Labour party and includes several notable former members including current Prime Minister Helen Clark. [ [http://www.charleschauvel.com/index.php?file=media&op=details&id=400&PHPSESSID=2f65ef6cb82f3a9d2558d8da9ff94742 Vic Law Student Back on Campus] , Northern Courier, 5 March 2008]

The current Chair of the branch is Sophia Blair

History

The branch was set up by Labour activists including Jonathan Hunt in the 1960's while Norm Douglas was the member for Auckland Central. [ [http://www.act.org.nz/roger_is_back Roger is Back] , speech by Rodney Hide, 08 Jun 2008]

Notable Members

Notable past members include;
* Helen Clark - current Prime Minister of New Zealand
* Phil Goff - current Minister of Trade and Minister of Defence
* Jonathan Hunt [ [http://www.alumni.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/for/alumni/profiles/profiles/e_h/jonathan_hunt.cfm Jonathan Hunt Bio] , University of Auckland] - former Speaker of the House and High Commissioner to London
* Mike Rann - current Premier of South Australia
* Charles Chauvel - Member of Parliament since 2006
* Judith Tizard [ [http://www.beehive.govt.nz/minister/judith+tizard?bio=1 Hon Judith Tizard] , Government website] - Current Minister outside the Cabinet.
* Michael Bassett [ [http://www.michaelbassett.co.nz/articleview.php?id=42 Self Help] , New Zealand Herald, 03/04/2002] - Former Cabinet Minister.
* Richard Prebble - Former Cabinet Minister and ACT party leader.

2008 Election

Several current and former members are standing for election at the 2008 General Election including;
* Kate Sutton - Labour candidate for Epsom
* Jordan Carter [ [http://www.jordancarter.org.nz/?page_id=5 About Jordan Carter] , Official Website] - Labour candidate for Hunua
* Conor Roberts - Labour candidate for Rodney
* Hamish McCracken - Labour candidate for Northcote

See also

* New Zealand Labour Party
* Young Labour (New Zealand)

References

* Godfrey, Darryl C. Princes Street Branch: Intergenerational Change & Modernisation in the NZLP 1960 - 2000, Thesis, University of Auckland, 2002.

External Links

* [http://www.younglabour.org.nz/ Young Labour Website]
* [http://www.labour.org.nz/ Labour Party Website]