A Labour Government would reinstate the position of Minister for Rural Affairs, if elected.

Releasing the party’s rural affairs policy on Friday, Rural Affairs Spokesperson Damien O’Connor said National had eliminated the portfolio, and in doing so 'wiped out a powerful voice for rural communities around New Zealand'.

Mr O'Connor said most countries with a strong rural focus understand the need for advocacy at Cabinet level, and Labour would re-instate that voice.

Rural Women New Zealand has welcomed the news that the re-appointment of a Minister of Rural Affairs is back on the political agenda.

In a media release Liz Evans, National President of Rural Women New Zealand says the position was axed three years ago leaving many rural people without a direct voice in Parliament.

Ms Evans says only 14 per cent of people who identify themselves as rural actually work in agriculture.

She doesn’t believe the interests of the other 86 per cent of rural people can be realistically and effectively represented by a Minister of Agriculture and Bio-security, 'who already has a huge and specific workload'.