Alliance returns to Christchurch roots for May Day candidate event

The Alliance marked the eve of May Day 2026 with a meet-the-candidates event in Ōtautahi Christchurch, returning to the city where the NewLabour Party was formed on 1 May 1989.

Held on Thursday 30 April at WEA Canterbury Workers’ Educational Association, 59 Gloucester Street, the evening brought members, supporters, and local people together to meet Alliance candidates standing across Christchurch and surrounding electorates.

The event connected the Alliance’s current campaign with the history of the NewLabour Party, which was formed to oppose the politics of the day that were destroying working people’s livelihoods and communities. NewLabour went on to become a constituent part of the Alliance Party in 1991 and successfully contested elections for a decade.

Party Leader Victor Billot attended the event, which was chaired by Alliance Party national secretary Sionainn Byrnes. The discussion focused on rebuilding a democratic socialist political voice for working people and their families in Aotearoa New Zealand.

The Alliance is again standing candidates in Ōtautahi and around the country, with a campaign focused on a party, and a country, that works for working people.

Meet the Alliance candidates or join the Alliance.