NZ First

Giving back to the community was the social contract I was raised with – as a nation and community we support our neighbours when they need it. This notion of helping each other is what shone through during the recent lockdown. I hold a particular passion for education and families, and for the health and well-being of those at each end of the age spectrum, children and seniors. I believe in strong policy created from the ground up to ensure practical delivery.

I moved into Ōhāriu earlier this year and spend most of my weeks in Ngaio. Married to winemaker Ben, with three adult children, I am a Minister in the coalition Government and List MP for New Zealand First. I have had a diverse range of spokesperson responsibilities such as youth, women and family issues, research, science and technology, education, communications and IT, broadcasting, arts, culture and heritage, community and volunteer, disability issues and ethnic affairs.

Now more than ever, Wairarapa needs a credible representative, who is experienced, influential, and successful. Our Wairarapa representatives over the last 21 years have not served us well. As Minister of Defence, I have rebuilt the New Zealand Air Force, the New Zealand Navy and have modernised the New Zealand Army. Now I want to rebuild Wairarapa. Wairarapa's poor 'spinal infrastructure' has to be addressed urgently in order for us to grow. Give me the mandate to do this.

I was born in Wairarapa, and from the age of three was put into a variety of different foster homes. I was not overly academic and left school at 16 years old to join the army. My military career saw me deployed to many parts of the world over the years, and I officially retired from the military as a Major. Once home I was a successful private businessman, and held roles in the corporate world, before entering politics. I have four surviving children (I lost a daughter) and 14 grandchildren.

I am running to promote transparency and accountability in both local and central government, by putting communities and small businesses at the very forefront of our policy making. I was challenged by issues in our community that desperately needed attention, but were not being addressed. I represent 25+ businesses in the marine industry negatively impacted by council decisions, and am actively involved in education, advocating for schools and families requiring additional resources to thrive.

My husband and I have lived in Tauranga since 2009, and our daughter was born here in 2011. We are partners in a longline fishing company (with cameras ;) ), I'm the director of a business advisory company, and the board chairperson for Greerton Village School. The first-hand experience I have in both a personal and professional capacity, gives me the skills needed to constructively listen, build strong relationships, and solve problems practically, with common sense.

The Kaikōura Electorate needs central government support and recognition for the key role that we play in the New Zealand economy. The resilience and growth of primary industries helped with favourable government policies and the right investments into key strategic assets will help our post-Covid recovery. With ten years' experience in local government and a cross-the-board understanding of our region, I understand this. I want to be your effective representation for our electorate.

I am a hard worker, a good listener, a communicator and an active member of the community. A family man with a horticulture background, I am a qualified Hearings Commissioner with an understanding of the tensions between environmental issues and sustainable economic business. I will advocate and lobby hard for the Kaikōura Electorate. I will ask the tough questions. I have the experience and belief in our region to be effective. Support me to be your voice.

Here in the Invercargill electorate we enjoy a lot of what makes this country great. However, one thing that has increasingly disappointed me is the poor representation of the Invercargill electorate's interests in Wellington; with the abandonment of Tiwai Smelter by all other major political parties only the most recent example. NZ First values the regions, in the good times and bad. I'm proud to represent the party that gives the regions a voice and delivers investment through the PGF.

Skin in the game', I am a small business owner, I invest my profits into the electorate, I am proud to call the electorate home. If the electorate does well then I do well, it's that simple. Too many electorates are represented by career public servants, who have never backed themselves in business and risked their own resources to contribute to and grow the economy. Our economic recovery needs leadership from those who have experience in growing prosperity not administering bureaucracy.

I am standing for New Zealand First because our country and our community needs smarter and more sustainable levels of immigration, protection of vital industries and strategic assets from foreign ownership and a government that keeps it Kiwi when deciding the future direction of this country.

Political activism has deep roots within my family. My father was active in the campaign for nuclear disarmament, and the demonstrations against the 1981 Springbok tour. I chaired Young NZF for three years, active in both fundraising efforts and organization at university campuses. Our greatest feat was challenging the stance taken by caucus on the issue of drug pill testing at our party. Outside of politics I work at Tyson Roofing in Morningside.

Our regions are facing an attack from extreme ideology which does not understand the reality of how regional work, i.e. farming, mining, forestry, etc., are essential to the social fabric and economy of the country. The regions understand and love the environment so need to be listened to with regard to the best way to manage these essential production services while also protecting our environment. I believe I would be a good representative and voice of reason from the people.

I have run a small business and am involved in various voluntary roles from advocacy to church management so I understand the challenges and the hopes of my region. I can bring the ability of being able to both listen and present reasoned views from varying aspects of society as well as being passionate about the wellbeing of communities and the future success of the country as a whole.

I am standing for election because this is a election that will determine how we all fair in the coming decade. Before Covid-19 we were starting to fix some of the problems in society and now it threatens to undo all of our hard work. One side wants to implement crippling austerity, while the other wants to spend. I believe we need to put New Zealand first and ensure that we achieve equitable results across all levels of society and we not leave people in need and New Zealand First will do that.

I have lived across three countries in my life. The UK, Australia and here in New Zealand. I had the privilege of being able to travel early in life where I witnessed many hardships, attitudes and cultures. Witnessing the treatment of and attitudes towards certain segments of society in those nations had a profound impact on me. My masters taught me to always research, listen to the other side, look at the consequences of policy and ensure that what you do, you do to benefit everyone in society.

I believe our NZ First policies will enhance the future of Manurewa and all of NZ. Our education, health, family wellbeing policies will work. Jobs, health, housing, general family wellbeing. A safer community. Looking after our senior citizens. We are the stability that is needed for our future. We are ready to go. We know what is needed to achieve and work through all the coming changes. We know there will be walls in the way. NZ First will lead the way and together we will back your future.

I was born and bred in Manurewa since 1957. My children are now grown and live in Manurewa, I have 10 moko and want them and their friends and families to be able to grow in the future as we did. My 15 years on board of trustees at James Cook High School and other positions held at primary and intermediate schools. Currently board management Man. Cosi Club, Man. Rugby Club, Patron Counties Rugby, President Softball Umpires. Fleet manager of Taxis United, been with company for 35 years.

I would like to see a more cohesive planning for New Zealand and Auckland's large infrastructure projects, with value to the entire region not just select areas. I think there needs to be a greater push for education that has a work and employment focus, both at school and to retrain adults, especially as Covid-19 affects the job market.

I have seen first-hand the difference of expectations for students from South Auckland, and believe it is not right in New Zealand. The power of education is a great investment in the people of this country, as a way to unlock their greatest potential, not as a cost.