Articles in ‘People in Politics’

Under MMP we have two votes: · 1. The Electorate vote – to represent the Port Waikato region. 2. The Party vote – for the Political Party of our choice. MMP (mixed-member proportional representation) was introduced in 1993 to replace FPP (first past the post) mainly because National and Labour shut out wider voter representation in Parliament. Votes for third parties were wasted. But after nearly 30 years many voters remain alienated and…

Kia ora, my name is Anahila Kanongataʻa-Suisuiki, I’m a List MP and the Labour candidate for Papakura. I was born in Tonga, grew up in Onehunga and now Papakura is my home away from home. I’m a team player, I chair the Labour Women’s Caucus and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Pacific Caucus, which represents 15 countries. I have a background in social services, leading teams around the country and working with some of our most vulnerable people.…

elocal sat down with local independent candidate Ian Cummings and asked him why constituents in the Port Waikato electorate should vote for him on September 19th 2020. I am standing as an independent candidate for one reason and one reason only, you and I deserve better. My point of difference is that unlike the other candidates, who represent the interests of their political party, I am standing to ensure genuine advocacy in Parliament for…

The National Party’s candidate for the newly redrawn seat of Port Waikato is a committed electorate MP who likes getting stuck into issues affecting his communities. “That's one of the main reasons I got into politics – I always wanted to be an electorate MP. I really enjoy constituent work and dealing promptly with queries and people’s problems.” · Whether it’s advocating on behalf of community groups, businesses, farmers, growers or…

I am very pleased to have been nominated as your National Party candidate for the Electorate of Papakura which now includes all the Pohutukawa Coast from Ardmore and Beachlands to Orere Point, Hunua, Happy Valley, Ness Valley; the farms and agricultural areas of Ponga, Drury, Ararimu, Ramarama, Runciman, Bombay and the more suburban areas of Kingseat, Karaka and of course Papakura itself. These boundary changes were confirmed in April 2020. Equa…

Ian Cummings is pleased to announce he will be campaigning as an independent candidate in the upcoming general election to provide voters with a credible alternative and more effective voice on issues that matter to them. · “I am standing to ensure genuine advocacy in Parliament for Port Waikato, and I believe that as an independent MP, answerable to the electorate rather than a party, I can be a more effective voice for the area. · “Except in…

For a few weeks prior to our country’s General Election we, the public, have the usual experience of over-zealous candidates seeking our attention and support. This year the election is scheduled for mid-September. Watch the political class falling over each other promising you the earth and attempting to lure your vote. However, on the day after the election, and safely back in their seats in Parliament, these characters mostly forget about…

This month, September, a postal vote will occur to elect members to district health boards (DHBs), the governing bodies responsible for overseeing the delivery of health and disability services in your district. It is important to use your vote wisely. Catherine Rose Abel-Pattinson, Colleen Brown MNZM, Geoff Smith and Kathy Maxwell are Team Health. They will deliver Simple, intelligent and effective community health for the Counties Manukau…

elocal caught up with Minister of Parliament (MP), and Local Papakura MP Judith Collins to discuss the changes in policies from the perspective of the opposition party and how it is shaping New Zealand. For Judith Collins, it wasn’t a surprise to see NZ First working alongside Labour, in fact she says that while a percentage of National supporters discussed the idea of voting for Winston Peters to secure a NZ First and National coalition,…