Perhaps Craic you should read a bit of NZ history. It was never easy being working class in NZ in the early days hence the formation of the Labour Party. Much is made of the difficulties of the Maoris and thier struggles but the poor in NZ were not well off either. The Labour Party may have once been "left" but as conditions improved thier policies moved more centre. That was OK when nearly full employment was achieved but with advent of neo liberal policies world wide the need for a left of centre party is becoming more necessary.
Three quarters of the worlds poor would probably shift to Ireland if they had the chance too.
Westerly