By-election or buy-election?

 

When incumbent Northland MP Mike Sabin resigned under a cloud of suspicion only five months after his election he stated that his resignation was for ‘personal reasons’. Although rumours have been rife there has been no confirmation what specifically these personal reasons are. This has triggered a costly by-election – ironically as a petition is being circulated to forestall the return of a democratic process to local government in Kaipara, partly on the basis of cost. This by-election is said to be costing taxpayers around $800, 000. In this light perhaps it should be termed a buy-election.

When Mr Sabin and a few forever-hopeful stalwarts from other political parties toured Northland prior to the last general election I did not bother to attend. I thought that saving 10 bucks gas and two hours of boredom would be of greater benefit to my country and myself. I’ve heard it all before anyway: ‘Our team is better than their team, we know what we‘re doing, you are better off voting for us, I’m a nice guy (smile broadly) vote for me’.

Now that you have read the most concise summery of every political campaign speech since Muldoon you can also save yourself the time and trouble of ever having to attend such rallies.

There is however one notable exception on New Zealand’s political landscape. Accomplished and charismatic speaker Winston Peters may justify a few dollars gas money to hear, if only for entertainment value.

Traditionally, by-elections are not major events and voter turnout is usually low, but now that Peters, a native Northlander, has thrown his hat into the ring and possibly a cat among the pigeons, his participation will certainly add spice to what is usually a bland political side dish.

Mr Peters claims support from many long-term National Party members. These are perhaps reasoning that the experienced Peters, a former Cabinet minister in the Bolger government and deputy Prime Minister in the 1998 coalition with National, will give Northland more effective representation than an unblooded candidate fresh to New Zealand’s shark infested political waters.

Like Jim Anderton, who severed ties with Labour, Peters left National to form a new party, New Zealand First. Unlike Anderton’s New Labour, they have, since their creation, gone from strength to strength enjoying their best ever result in last years general election obtaining 8.6 per cent of the party vote and 11 seats in parliament.

Love him or hate him and you will find no shortage of people in both camps. Winston Peters is certainly a political force to be reckoned with. His long political career has been colourful indeed and he remains a powerful presence in the House.

Occupying a special place in New Zealand politics, he first entered parliament in 1978 and has since had the unusual distinction of serving as a Cabinet minister for both major political parties.

National supporters are not difficult to find round these parts and those that I have spoken to would have liked to see local farmer and National Party stalwart Grant McCullum given the nod as their candidate. However after making it to the final ballot, McCullum lost narrowly to Mark Osborne a Far North District Council bureaucrat who will fly the National Party flag and run against Winston.

Mark Osborne runs a business called Doubtless Beauty with his wife Jodi. Readers will no doubt be able to judge the efficacy of the treatment offered by viewing his photo. He is also employed as an asset manager for the Far North District Council. Osborne has pledged to 'maintain a strong voice for Northland in John Key's government'.

Other candidates who have announced their intention to stand are: Adrian Paul Bonner (Independent), Joe Carr (Focus New Zealand), Robin Grieve (ACT), Maki Herbert (Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party), Adam Holland (Independent), Mark Osborne (National), Rob Painting (Climate Party), Winston Peters (NZ First), Reuben Taipari Porter (Mana), Willow-Jean Prime (Labour), Bruce Rogan (Independent).

Bruce Rogan is current president of the Mangawhai Ratepayers and Residents Association.

Northland has traditionally been a safe seat for National but with a steadily diminishing majority since the retirement of the long serving John (Hone) Carter, coupled with New Zealand First's increasing popularity, this by-election is shaping up to be a real contest.

Polling day is Saturday March 28.

 prof_worzel@hotmail.com