National Selects Nine on “Super Sunday”

Ready for the Fight in Auckland

National Party President Judy Kirk today announced the selection of nine candidates in Central, West, and South Auckland as the Party gears up to attack Labour across the isthmus in the upcoming General election.

“Under the leadership of Don Brash, many people in these areas are questioning their recent allegiance to Labour and the left”, said Mrs Kirk. “These candidates have the ability and the community links to run a strong Party Vote campaign for National in the wider Auckland area.”

Five of those selected are first-time candidates: Jackie Blue, Paul Goldsmith, Paula Bennett, Fepulea’l Ulua’ipou-O-Malo Aiono, and Ravi Musuku. Tau Henare and Mita Harris previously stood for National in 2002 in Te Atatu and Te Tai Tokerau respectively. Auckland Central candidate Pansy Wong is a sitting list MP and Clem Simich is the retiring Tamaki MP who is standing on the list and in Mangere.

“This is an important group of candidates”, Mrs Kirk said. “Under the Party’s new constitution, electorate candidates make up all but five of National’s list. Therefore these candidates selected this weekend will make up around 12% of the Party’s list in the upcoming election.”

The full list of nine candidates is:

Jackie Blue (Mt Roskill): Doctor and Breast physician

Mita Harris (New Lynn): Programme Manager - conservation

Paul Goldsmith (Maungakiekie): Writer and Public relations consultant.

Paula Bennett (Waitakere): Recruitment Manager.

Fepulea’l Ulua’ipou-O-Malo Aiono (Manurewa): Publisher.

Ravi Musuku (Mt Albert): Baptist Pastor.

Hon Tau Henare (Te Atatu): Consultant and Broadcaster. Former Minister of Maori Affairs

Clem Simich MP (Mangere)

Pansy Wong MP(Auckland Central)

The nine selected today will join Leader Don Brash, new Tamaki candidate Alan Peachey, Northcote candidate Jonathan Coleman and sitting MPs John Key, Judith Collins, Maurice Williamson, Paul Hutchison, Murray McCully, Richard Worth and Wayne Mapp in contesting Auckland for National.

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