Election Survey: Hugh Kininmonth (Labour)

Hugh Kininmonth is the Labour candidate for Coromandel and number 75 on the Labour party list. His response to the survey is below, and a full index of all candidate responses to date can be found over here, including four others from Labour candidates (at the time of writing).

The Questions & Answers
Question 1. What do you believe is currently the single biggest issue facing New Zealand women, and how would you like to address it if you are elected?
Violence. Continue “Its Not OK” campaign and increase funding for women’s groups and services

Question 2. New Zealand women are paid, on average, over $300 a week less than men, and the difference is worse for Maori and Pacific Island women. What do you propose as a first step towards closing the gender pay gap?
Foster women’s abilities to gain higher education through planned parenthood and improved access to child caring education services.

Question 3. Do you think NZ's current approach to reproductive rights (abortion, contraception etc) is correct? (Yes or No or No Answer, please)
If not, what changes would you want to make?
Yes a good balance

Question 4. The police and the courts do not work in preventing violence against women. What other government actions would you take to ensure women can live without fear.
Increased options to escape violent situations.

Question 5. Those who do the caring work in our society, paid and unpaid, are often the least recognized and the lowest paid, and they work the longest hours. What do you see as the priority to address these issues for those caring for our sick, our elderly and our children?
Increase the minimum wage which pushes up all low wages.

Question 6. The Ministry of Health has recently launched a campaign to encourage breastfeeding and is now recommending that babies be breastfeed to at least one year old. What do you think the government could do to ensure that every woman who wants to breast feed can?
Promote more lactation education

Question 7. What single measure do you think our political organizations could take to better encourage young women to be involved and take on leadership positions in our communities?
Have more women in high party positions like Labour does

Question 8. Do you see domestic violence as an issue for women, for men, or for all New Zealanders? (Women, or Men, or all New Zealanders please)
If elected, what strategies would you like to pursue to eliminate domestic violence?
All New Zealanders.
Low incomes must be continually raised to reduce income pressures.
Couples need greater options to have time out.
Access to low cost high quality community-based services must be protected.

Question 9. Successive governments have effectively cut the Domestic Purposes Benefit. Do you believe people raising children alone should have sufficient financial support from the state so that they do not need to go to work until they believe that is the best choice for their family? (Yes or No or No Answer, please)
Yes “sufficient” within reason

Question 10. Women do the vast majority of cooking and shopping, and increases in food prices are a burden borne disproportionately by women. What do you think our government can or should do to ensure that everyone has access to good food?
Continual improvements in the financial ability of people to purchase good food is the key here. Education as to what is good food is also important.

Question 11. Do you have any further comments that you wish to make about the role of women in our society? Please feel free to share your thoughts here.
Labour has a proud history of supporting equality of opportunity for all. This will continue for women.