Phil Goff apologises for Labour's mistakes

Labour leader Phil Goff has apologised for mistakes made by the last Government and and its focus on "politically correct" issues.

In his keynote speech to 500 delegates at the party's annual conference in Rotorua, he said Labour had done a lot that was right - including Kiwisaver, Working for Families tax relief and lowering unemployment.

But those were not the things that cost it a fourth term.

"Labour lost office last year because we didn't make clear enough that our priority was to help ordinary New Zealand families make progress in their lives," he said.

"We were voted out because they thought we were getting distracted by sideshows. The Winston Peters' funding saga, the Electoral Finance Act. Errant MPs. Smacking. Light bulbs. Shower heads."

He also admitted Labour had been wrong to take big dividends from State-owned power generators and retailers and not to fix the system to ensure power prices were lower.

"Labour can and will stop price gouging. We will not demand excessive dividends coming back into state coffers above what is needed for investment in new generation."

He said he wanted his leadership to be measured by improving the start given to children.

Too many kids grew up neglected and abused.

"It's not something to be politically correct about."