Leader of the opposition Andrew Little speaks to a packed McCashins Brewery in Stoke as part of Labour's nationwide pre-election tour.

Nelson's economy might be strong. Unemployment might be low. And the region might be a desirable place to live and visit.



But Labour Party leader Andrew Little told an audience in Nelson on Tuesday night that the region was facing a series of challenges that the current government was "kicking into the future".



"I think this is very much similar to many other parts of New Zealand where you see the headlines, you look around and, yeah, some people are doing very well, some people are doing OK.



"But actually, for a lot of people, life is getting harder and harder."



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There was standing room only at McCashin's Brewery in Stoke as dozens of people turned out to hear the Labour Party's vision for Nelson and New Zealand.

Little was there to make his election year promises as part of a tour around the country. The general election is on September 23.

Little said the "number one priority" for Labour was to address the housing crisis by building 100,000 "affordable" houses over 10 years.

BRADEN FASTIER It was standing room only at McCashins Brewery.

In Nelson, an affordable house would be priced between $300,000-$500,000, according to the party's policy.

Little said Labour would also ban non-residents from buying existing houses, requiring them to build new, and look to close loopholes exploited by property speculators.

He said Labour was committed to restoring funding to healthcare and would launch an inquiry into mental health services "straight away".

BRADEN FASTIER/FAIRFAX NZ Deputy Leader Jacinda Ardern addresses the crowd to introduce Andrew Little.

Labour was also committed to investing in education and introducing three years free post-school education or training.

Little said protecting New Zealand's environment and introducing a higher standard for swimmable rivers was also a priority.

In an earlier interview on Tuesday, Little said Labour would work towards a living wage and address Nelson's "sunshine wages".

BRADEN FASTIER Andrew Little says Nelson's Labour candidate Rachel Boyack has been "putting in some hard yards" and faces a tough contest against incumbent Nick Smith and the Green Party's Matt Lawrey.

"We've got to be pushing wages up. Too many people are getting too far behind. We've got to find a way for everybody to share in the gains of a growing economy," he said.

"It's not good enough to say the economy's growing. As we know, the average household income in New Zealand last year actually went backwards after you took into account housing costs and inflation."

Regarding the election campaign in Nelson, Little said National MP "Nick Smith's had his time" and Green Party candidate Matt Lawrey has "some pretty strong financial backing".

Little said Labour's Nelson candidate Rachel Boyack was determined and "putting in some hard yards".

"It's going to make quite an interesting contest."