Political hopefuls start on the ground

CHRIS HILLOCK/Waikato Timesw

HARD WORK: Alofiopo Pricilla Key scrubs graffitti off a window at the Western Hamilton Community Centre.

Eric Goddard believes good politicians work their way from the ground up.

The Dunedin 26-year-old was at the Western Community Centre in Nawton yesterday helping clean graffiti off the building as the 2011 Young Labour Clarion Bus Tour hit Hamilton.

The 12-day tour, which begin in Auckland three days ago, sees around six Young Labour members travel the length of the country, taking part in community activities and talking with young people about the country's future.

Other young party members help out the team when the tour reaches their town.

Mr Goddard, who has already handed out pamphlets, helped out at kindergartens and built fences in Auckland this week, said it was  important for young people involved in politics to get down to the ''grassroots'' and understand the daily problems that affect people.

''We are doing all the small jobs at places like this so the people here can concentrate on the big things,'' he said.

The road tour was first staged in 2004, and has been a regular feature around New Zealand every summer since.  

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