Party has time for a comeback, says Goff

POLITICAL POINTERS: Tamati Coffey (left) and Labour's Phil Goff met with locals at the Rotorua Citizens Club yesterday, taking time to talk to NZ First supporter Alan Land. PHOTO/BEN FRASER 180714BF2

Former Labour Party leader Phil Goff says there's plenty of time for his party to make a comeback in the polls before September's election.

Mr Goff was in Rotorua yesterday to meet with local organisations and support Rotorua electorate candidate Tamati Coffey in his campaign to unseat incumbent Rotorua MP Todd McClay.

"Last time people believed the polls and stayed at home thinking their party wasn't going to get elected.

"We are telling people you have to be on the roll and go out and vote so you get a government that reflects your interests and your future. Getting our people out to vote is critical.

"There is no doubt from anybody I've spoken to on the street that Tamati is the best candidate for Rotorua."

Mr Goff pointed to his party's education policy as something all New Zealanders could relate to.

"I know John Key thinks that class sizes don't matter, but where did he send his kids - to a private school that advertises small class sizes and more individual attention," he said.

"We want to reduce class sizes, which is very important to a child's ability to learn.

"As a parent, we all want our kids to do really well.

"But, every kid that misses out and is unemployed, or who doesn't achieve their potential, is a cost to all of us.

"We are all in the same boat and we want everyone to do well, so we need to give them that chance."

New Zealand First supporter Alan Land has a soft spot for Mr Goff and was having lunch at the Citizens Club when the Labour MP arrived.

"I watched him on Back Benches last week.

"I don't know why they don't make him leader again," Mr Land said.

Mr Goff also met Rotorua Mayor and former Cabinet colleague Steve Chadwick, members of the Rotorua Newcomers Network and Multi Cultural Society, and members of the Rotorua RSA.

He finished his long day with an Indian ethnic feast at Gandhi Hall.