The Labour Party leadership admits it lost touch with the electorate in 2008 but says the party is enormously motivated to reconnect with New Zealanders.
For the first time in nine years, the party is holding its two-day caucus retreat outside Wellington.
Leader Phil Goff said the Auckland caucus meeting is the first in a series to be held outside the capital as the party attempts to listen to local people.
He said the party is proud of its achievements but prepared to acknowledge its mistakes, and that it lost connection with the electorate. The party intends to earn the right to govern again, he said.
Phil Goff said a major focus of the meeting will be the economic agenda for 2009.
The Labour leader said the party wants to participate constructively in plans to help protect New Zealand jobs and living standards.
