Labour MPs walk to PM's house

ONE NEWS: New Zealand leaders have been putting their stamp on the environment by walking to a key strategy meeting.

At a time when people are struggling to pay the bills the Labour Party wants to look more "in touch".

Earlier this year ministers were accused of being "out of touch" when arriving to meetings in their new BMWs.

But the walk to Tuesday's special caucus was to talk strategy for the party, how to turn Labour's fortunes in the polls.

Some remain sceptical of the poll results.

"We're not convinced those polls are accurate at all, we're waiting for the election," says Tim Barnett, Labour MP.

Others are very aware of Labour's position in the results.

"I think there is a sense of realism, that we've got some way to go given the polls but we haven't given up," says David Parker, Energy Minister.

But the general message to Labour members is to remain positive.

"We're running a marathon and not a sprint that's always been the case," Prime Minister Helen Clark says.

Though, some do admit that Labour is not the race favourite.

"I believe we're the underdog in the elections but underdogs win sometimes. None of the overdogs won the women's tennis at Wimbeldon," says Michael Cullen, Deputy Prime Minister.

Interviews

Listen to the Prime Minister Helen Clark speak to Radio New Zealand's Geoff Robinson (Morning Report, Wed 9/7/08), click here.