David Cunliffe

“Socialism's not a word that I use. I say 'social democracy' because I don't think the government needs to own all the means of production.”

“I think that's what all New Zealanders who are fair-minded want - a good chance for everybody to get ahead, whether it's education or housing.”

“I've been really clear that my first job as leader of the Labour Party and co-leader of the labour movement is to engage with our base.”

“I support a constitutional conversation, as the Labour Party does, which will allow New Zealanders to evolve a more mature and stable constitutional form, but that's not something that I, as Labour Party, would want to impose, either on the party or on the public.”

“I've said in the primary race repeatedly that a Labour Party that I lead would be a true red Labour Party, be very clear about its social democratic roots and its social democratic agenda.”

“I want to get down to the nuts and bolts of what is actually going to change to lift New Zealand's economic performance.”

“I have picked the very, very best deputy that I could. David Parker is a fantastic guy. He's a person who I trust absolutely. He's got a wonderful sense for policy. He will be great on organisation, and I know that I could not have a better deputy.”

“If there's a sustainable job that will create sustainable value, people will hire for it.”

“I'm a big yachting fan.”

“I've worked as a diplomat before I became a politician.”

“I have never commented on a caucus issue or a shadow Cabinet issue, and I'm not about to start now.”

“I do not believe it is all about the leader. I think it's about the team, too. So we have one mission; we have one team; we are working to victory.”