Mahurangi Matters, By-election 2015

12 Mahurangi Matters March 18, 2015 follow the campaign at localmatters.co.nz/Features/Northlandbyelection

On March 28 vote Willow-Jean Prime for Northland.

Hardworking. Honest. Local.

Authorised by Tim Barnett, 160 Willis St, Wellington.

VOTE NOrThlaNd March 28

Key dates11 MarchAdvance and overseas voting starts27 MarchEnrolments close28 March - Polling DayPolling places open from 9am to 7pmPreliminary results released progressively from 7pm on electionresults.govt.nz8 AprilOfficial results declared

The national spotlight has been shining on Northland this month in the lead up to the by-election on March 28. As senior politicians hit the electorate, with the nation’s media in tow, everything from one-lane bridges to oil exploration have made the headlines. The usually safe blue seat is up for grabs after National MP Mike Sabin resigned for personal reasons earlier this year.The National Party has backed first time candidate Mark Osborne, a Taipa based businessman and Far North District Council asset manager. Prime Minister John Key has hit the campaign trail with Osborne in local spots like the Mangawhai markets, and made election promises from the pulpit of Parliament.The by-election got even more attention when veteran politician and NZ First leader Winston Peters threw his hat, or should we say ‘sign-written bus’, into the ring. Peters has been travelling around in the bus reminding the electorate he was born and educated in Northland, growing up on farms.

There are 11 candidates in the race including Labour’s candidate Willow-Jean Prime, a Pakaraka based Far North District Councillor.

You can find out more about the candidates and what they think are the key issues for Northland on the following pages.

What’s at stake?It’s more than egos and Northland’s needs at stake in this by-election. If National does not win the seat it would reduce its majority. It would not overturn the Government, but National would require the support of other parties to pass legislation. National would be left with 59 seats out of 121 and would require two votes from either the Maori Party’s two seats, or both the single votes from Act and United Future.

All eyes on Northland electorate campaign

The Northland electorate includes the Far North, Kaipara and a small part of Whangarei. Wellsford became part of the electorate in 2008.

Local government issues dominated the Northland by-election candidates meeting in Wellsford on March 12. Members of the audience repeatedly asked questions about Mangawhai’s failed wastewater scheme and subsequent rates fiasco, and north Rodney’s inclusion in the Auckland supercity. About 300 people attended the meeting which was organised by the Landowners and Contractors Association.

‘Send them a message’

13 March 18, 2015 Mahurangi Matters by-electionfeature


Adam Holland was born in Dargaville in 1935 where he grew up in a family of 11 brothers. His family had it rough in those days, his father owned the local sawmill where the family would work without payment to help the local community. He worked as a volunteer fire fighter up until 2011 when he fell from a two-story building during an aftershock, shattering his pelvis. At the age of 75, doctors told him he could no longer put his body on the line. He emotionally retired, deciding he could best serve the community through political campaigning.

Key issues for Northland • Not sending troops to Iraq.• Not sending troops to Afghanistan.• Creating a five per cent flat tax, but only for

residents of the Northland electorate, the rest of the country should be paying more tax, not us Northlanders.

• I will not change the New Zealand flag as John Key would.

• I will increase the power teachers have over children in our schools.

• I will work in Parliament without payment because I’m a wealthy man and do not require the money.

• I will hold binding referendums on every single issue where there’s not at least a 66 per cent majority.

Winston was born and educated in Northland, growing up on farms.He was educated at Whangarei Boys High School and Dargaville High School.

Key issues for NorthlandThere are many economic and social issues facing the Kaipara district but the immediate one is the appalling validation of the scandal behind the Kaipara district cost blowout. I attended the Mangawhai protest as well as the court hearing in Whangarei long before I had any intention of standing in this by-election. New Zealand First was the only party to oppose this validation legislation. No other party did.Northland’s best economic opportunity for further growth lies in the traditional farming, forestry and maritime pursuits, as well as tourism.

It was while working as a solicitor in Wellington that Willow-Jean Prime felt the call home to Northland. Determined to make a positive difference, she established a consultancy business servicing community projects and volunteered her skills for various community organisations. Encouraged and supported by many Northlanders, she was only 30 when elected to the Far North District Council in 2013. Willow-Jean grew up in Moerewa and attended the local college before qualifying in Arts, Law and Maori/Pacific Development at Waikato University. She lives rurally in Pakaraka (Bay of Islands) with her husband Dion and their young daughter.

Key issues for NorthlandI am focusing my campaign on three core urgent issues: jobs, infrastructure and vibrant communities. Northland has some of the highest unemployment in the country and we need more government investment in regional development to create jobs and grow our businesses.Our roads are in a very poor state and need urgent attention. The government has cut $35 million from our roads and we need to restore that funding and begin urgent repairs and invest in new projects to make transport in the North faster, safer and more reliable.As a District Councillor, I’ve seen first-hand the importance of having a government that is going to back our communities. I will fight for more government support for local groups and facilities, so that we can have a proper partnership. That is going to make Northland a better place to live, work and play.

Adam HollandIndependent

Winston Peters NZ First Party

Willow-Jean PrimeLabour Party

Where to VoteFor a list of election day and advance voting places visit elections.org.nzNorthland voters outside their electorate can vote in advance at Electoral Commission Wellington and at Registrars of Electors offices around the country weekdays during office hours.Northland voters outside their electorate on Election Day March 28 should vote in advance, because voting places will only be available inside the electorate on election day.

Names were drawn from a hat to determine the order of the candidate profiles on the following pages.

Authorised by B. Harris, 84 Mills Road, Brooklyn, Wellington 6021

14 Mahurangi Matters March 18, 2015 by-electionfeature


Rueben Taipari PorterMANA Movement

Maki HerbertAotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party

Bruce RoganIndependent

Maki’s father was born in Rawene and lived in Pawarenga. In the 1990s, she became the Pawarenga Kohanga Reo administrator before moving up the ladder to oversee seven Kohanga. After that she did commercial cleaning and was in-charge of 40 staff members. Maki got her qualification in hairdressing in 2004 and had her own hairdressing business for three years. She then looked after her 90-year-old grandmother, as her caregiver. During that time she found out about medical cannabis and became involved in GreenCross. Maki entered politics in 2011 by standing in the Te Tai Tokerau by-election and general election.

Key issues for NorthlandNorthland has an opportunity to become the cannabis capital of New Zealand if it is legalised for industrial, medicinal and recreational purposes. Industrial hemp will revitalise the economy in rural areas, creating jobs and allowing for the manufacture of a range of environmentally friendly products. These include biofuel, textiles, building materials, foods and cosmetics. Medical cannabis can improve the well being of thousands of patients in Northland. Cannabis can treat a range of conditions from chronic pain to epilepsy to nausea and even cancer. Doctors should have the authority to prescribe cannabis and pharmacies should supply it.Millions of dollars will be brought into the Northland region if locals are allowed to grow and sell the plant legally, within a licensed and regulated framework. An age-limit will be established and taxes from cannabis sales will fund local schools and hospitals.

Bruce Rogan is 69-years-old. He was born in Takapuna and educated in Auckland. His father was born in Northland in 1919 and lived in Glinks Gully. His Great Grandfather was Judge Rogan of the Maori Land Court. He has owned his property in Mangawhai for 20 years, built his own home and has lived there for the past ten. Bruce was a Kaipara District Councillor from 2001 to 2004, where he unsuccessfully fought against “the eventual Mangawhai Ecocare disaster”. Since then he has worked in the community trying to uncover issues surrounding the Mangawhai wastewater scheme. Bruce is chair of the Mangawhai Ratepayers and Residents Association.

Key issues for Northland• Northland is a social and economic basket case,

solely as a result of neglect and exploitation. This has to be fixed.

• It has some of the worst health statistics in the world. Its dental health is third world, its renal health is even worse.

• Its population has been denied access to decent paid work for generations.

• To survive, a completely alternative economy has evolved, placing thousands of people at risk on a daily basis.

• Many of the problems are traceable to corruption and incompetence at local government level. Those need to be a) exposed, and b) fixed.

• The economy can be restored by infrastructural investment - in roads, two-way bridges (not superhighways), rail and our port at Marsden Point.

• All the work should be done by Northland companies, employing Northland people.

Rueben is from Ahipara and has strong affiliations to Whangaroa. His wife is from Motatau, north of Whangarei, and his three tamariki have a strong sense of identity in Northland.Rueben is comfortable with being described as a ‘Maori environmental activist’, as he loves his culture and defending the environment for the benefit of children. This comes from a strong responsibility to protect the land and sea. Rueben is also an organic farmer.His other work is as a chairman for Te Ahikaaroa Trust, a Northland housing provider, which addresses social housing issues in Northland.

Key issues for NorthlandStop Statoil. Statoil has confirmed that there are no jobs for Northland, or any investment into Northland. John Key has also removed accountability for any environmental damage to our sea and coast. This is detrimental for our economy and environment. Northland’s stable environment is our greatest asset. In 2004 the Labour government’s Foreshore and Seabed Act opened the door for the foreign oil companies to come here and take our resources. The TPPA issue is another John Key led concept that gives foreign companies control of the market and removes our choices of what to buy, sell and grow. We have been exposing these issues for more than 10 years.This Government needs to be held accountable. This country is not their personal asset to spend and use as they choose. We need principles to be brought back if we want a stable future as a legacy to pass on to our next generation.

CUSTOMER: MANA PARTY PROOF TIME 11/03/2015 4:09:14 p.m.REP ID: N102 LAST RUN: 03/12/15

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STOP FOREIGN company controlSTOP STATOIL. There’s nothing for us

STOP TPPA. Removes our choice of tradeAND

VOTE MANA MOVEMENTTO PROTECT our stable environment

TO PROTECT our civil rightsVOTE MANA NORTHLAND

RUEBEN TAIPARI PORTERNorthland MP 2015

authorised by Rueben Taipari Porter 60 North Rd Kaitaia

PLEASE READ ALL COPY CAREFULLY. CHECK SPELLING AND PHONE NUMBERS.

Once proof is approved NZME. will not accept responsibility for incorrect copy or layout.PROOF


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15 March 18, 2015 Mahurangi Matters by-electionfeature

CUSTOMER:ELECTIONS

-JOE

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www.focusnz.org.nzAuthorised by Les King Ohuri Rd RD3 Kaikohe

MESSAGE TO NATIONALSTOP THE BOOM BUST ECONOMY

CITIES BOOM AND WE BUST

VOTE JOE CARRFOCUS: THE RURAL AND PROVINCIAL VOICE

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Mark OsborneNational Party

Adrian BonnerIndependent

Joe CarrFocus New Zealand

Mark Osborne is a proud Northlander, based in Taipa. He and his wife Jodi moved to the north in the late nineties. They are co-founders of their own successful local business Doubtless Beauty, and their two daughters are both at school in the community. Mark has served in the community as a local school board trustee and a Far North Coastguard and sea rescue volunteer. He was General Manager of the Te Ahu Charitable Trust, leading the development of Kaitaia’s Te Ahu Community Centre, and most recently he has been an asset manager for the Far North District Council, overseeing some of the region’s most critical strategic infrastructure.Key issues for NorthlandWe need to build on the record growth and 7500 jobs already added to Northland’s economy in 2014. National’s plan is achieving more jobs and growth for the north by:• Attracting more investment and opportunities

with the Northland Regional Growth Study.• Building the Puhoi-to-Wellsford motorway to

link Northland to our biggest market, Auckland.• Reforming the RMA to reduce the costs, delays,

and frustrations that are holding Northland back.• Building on National’s $750m investment in

local roads and highways.• Rolling out faster broadband across Northland.• Accelerating treaty settlements so Northland iwi

can invest to create jobs.• Backing Northland’s primary industries through

the Primary Growth Partnership.• Introducing the Maori and Pasifika Trades

Training Scheme.

Adrian Bonner is a 56-year-old beekeeper, who has lived in Kaiwaka for 27 years.

Key issues for NorthlandI would like to see heavy logging and freight trucks off our roads, and taken by rail between Auckland and Whangarei, also with a view to reintroducing passenger rail services using a double track system.I believe that the tar sealing for metal roads could be done cheaper using new innovative techniques developed overseas and that too much is being paid for sealing and road maintenance.I believe the punitive system whereby beneficiaries are penalised if they earn over a certain amount should be scraped.

Joe Carr has been actively involved in governance and community affairs since 1998 when he stood as a Councillor in the Far North District to “represent a community that rejected the top down imposition of a district plan”. Since 1998 he has been on various Northland Regional Statutory Committees, including 12 years on the Regional Land Transport Committee, six as an NRC Councillor. He says he is a hard worker and is well grounded in the realities of living a productive life in Northland, as he and his wife Kate farm near Okaihau.

Key issues in NorthlandNorthland’s key issue is our lack of influence at government and headwind settings like exchange rates. These marginalise our electorate’s great productive potential, and deter investment in increased manufacturing and processing. The spectre of another council reorganisation with no consideration of the costs of centralisation (negative multiplier effects) as council business withdraws. Take one primary job and three follow. What the Northland electorate loses, the Whangarei electorate gains. We need policies to reverse the current transfer of wealth and opportunity and youth from our predominantly rural electorate to cities. Rural and provincial NZ is increasingly marginalised.Until this by- election occurred the Northland electorate was such a National fortress that our needs were largely ignored. Like him or not, the entrance of Winston Peters, for whatever reason, has changed this. Example, Matakohe bridge construction.

What are the enrolment deadlines?If you were enrolled by 23 February you will get an EasyVote pack in the mail a week before election day. People who enrol after this, but before the final deadline of Friday 27 March, will need to cast a Special Vote.

Can people on the Maori electoral roll in the Northland electorate vote?No. The by-election is to select the Member of Parliament for the general electorate of Northland. Only those people on the Northland electoral roll are eligible to vote. If you are Maori, and enrolling for the first time, you can choose whether you go on the Maori roll or the General roll. If you enrol now and choose the Maori roll, you will be in the Te Tai Tokerau electorate and won’t be able to vote in this by-election.

28 March 2015 The Day Northland gets heard

in Wellington.

Take this chance to vote for changeLet’s get Northland working again.

Only two candidates in this campaign have shown they care and use their brain

One is me who fights for theeAnd the other’s initials are W. P.It won’t help much to vote for me

But a tick for Winston might set us free,And restore our local Democracy! .

Vote, and Vote for change on March 28Approved by Bruce Rogan, 29 Alamar Crescent Mangawhai 0505.

Mahurangi Matters, By-election 2015

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