MANGAWHAI'S NO.1 NEWSPAPER
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By-election: National candidate selection close contestThe incumbent National Party were the last to select a candidate for the upcoming by-election and did so last weekend after four rounds of voting to select one of the five nominations to represent the party.
The final ballot came down to a close contest between Taipa’s Mark Osborne and Maungaturoto’s Grant McCallum with the former’s higher electorate profile being the decider. Osborne is a business owner and an Asset Manager for Far North District Council. On his selection Osborne pledged to maintain a strong voice for Northland within the National Government. “National’s focus is on investment and growth helping to create 7,500 more jobs in Northland last year and continuing that momentum,” he said. Mr Osborne highlighted important ways National’s plan is lifting Northland's profile and growth rate, and cited the Puhoi to Wellsford Road of National Significance to link Northland to Auckland, roading investment across Northland, reforming the RMA to address the costs and delays, and introducing Maori and Pasifika Trades training initiative across Northland as among his priorities. While resigned former MP Mike Sabin won Northland with a majority of over 9,000, with a traditional low by-election turnout this is unlikely to be the case on this occasion so it will be interesting to see what inroads opposing parties can make in the next few weeks. Following his selection Osborne was immediately on the campaign trail with a meet-and-greet at Saturday’s Ocean and Orchard Festival at Kerikeri, along with Labour’s Willow-Jean Prime. Others standing in the by-election include Adrian Bonner (Independent), Joe Carr (Focus New Zealand), Robin Grieve (Act Party), Maki Herbert (Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party), Adam Holland (Independent), Rob Painting (Climate Party), Winston Peters (New Zealand First Party), Rueben Taipari Porter (MANA Movement), and Bruce Rogan (Independent). The Greens and Maori parties will not be represented. Polling will take place on March 28.
Mark Osborne |