The Labour Party is retaining its presence in Tauranga despite not having an MP based in the city.

The opposition party recently opened its new premises at the 17th Avenue facility.

Labour MPs Sue Moroney and Louisa Wall at Historic Village on 17^th Avenue.

To honour the occasion Labour MPs Sue Moroney and Louisa Wall visited the village to talk to Tauranga residents about the issues affecting them.

Sue, the Labour spokesperson for early childhood and Women's Affairs, says Labour has received huge support for the opening of the offices.

'Even though we don't have an MP based here we are committed to the Tauranga community. This is part of a range of different visits where MPs will visit to talk about different issues,” says Sue.

'This is a hugely important city in New Zealand and we need to understand the issues here, just as much as anywhere else.”

One of Sue's key policy areas is her private members bill to extend paid parental leave from 14 to 26 weeks in the next three years.

The bill has passed its first reading in Parliament and Sue is positive she will get the bill into legislation despite the Government's threat of a financial veto.

'It has never been done on an entire bill before. We plan to take it to the select committee if this happens.”

Sue says Tauranga education providers and agencies are positive about increasing paid parental leave.

Sue says the other issue facing Tauranga residents, like many New Zealanders, is the increase in family violence.

She says the Government needs to look at a local level of aiding organisations like Women's Refuge, who she says are struggling to cope.

'The increase in family violence in Tauranga is a growing concern. A key part of this can be looked at in the Government Reform Bill.

'We want the Government to look at strengthening the bill.”

One of Sue's proposals is to include the number of calories per standard drink on the labels of alcohol.

'A lot of young women look at the number of calories in a drink so if the number of calories is outlined on the label they are less likely to drink as much.”

In attendance at the opening was Labour MP Louisa Wall, the spokesperson for Community and Volunteers and Sport and Recreation.

Louisa's Gay Marriage Amendment Bill is also before Parliament having recently passed its first reading.

The bill will now go before a select committee before facing two further votes before it can become legislation.

Louisa says the bill will not impact on religious organisations, who she says grant 20 per cent of marriage licences in New Zealand each year.