24 January 2019
With the announcement today of two new board members, David Moffett and Casey Costello, New Conservative will be a
serious contender in the 2020 election.
“With the growing success we are seeing, our Board has been keen to add specific skills that will be necessary to take
the Party forward towards the next election,” says New Conservative Board Chairman, Simon Gutschlag.
“The 2020 General Election is likely to be the most crucial election in NZ politics for the past 30 years. We will fight
for every New Zealander, not just those that support us, and we will do that with a highly skilled, energetic and
professional team, dedicated to putting people at the heart of every policy and decision.”
Casey Costello
Most recently recognised for her involvement with Hobson’s Pledge as co-spokesperson with Don Brash. A former Police
officer and successful business manager she takes great pride in her Ngapuhi and Anglo-Irish ancestry. Believing
strongly in aspirational leadership she has been active in advocating for equal opportunity and rights before the law.
“New Conservative is committed to the type of integrity and values that best represent most New Zealanders,” says Casey.
“We need to protect the equality of opportunity that encourages individuals to thrive while providing support for our
most vulnerable.”
In her role with Hobson’s Pledge Casey has continued to stand for democracy and equality of rights before the law on the
basis that separatism can never be a solution in a progressive nation.
“Working with New Conservative is a fantastic opportunity for me. This is a team of truly good people, dedicated to a
better New Zealand, with the vision and energy to deliver an accountability and honesty that we should expect from our
government,” concludes Casey.
Casey’s background in business management and marketing will see her take on Board Responsibility for Marketing.
David Moffett
David brings a wealth of experience and knowledge from a successful career in Business and Sport. He is the former owner
of Pacific Waste Management, CEO of NZ Rugby, Welsh Rugby and the NRL. He has worked in high pressure, combative and
high profile positions in NZ and overseas.
His great strengths are in the crucial areas of strategy and communications. He has also been responsible for turning
loss making and unsuccessful organisations around quickly and importantly ensuring that they are sustainable.
“I was attracted to NC because of their beliefs,” says David. “In particular I fully support the belief that it is the
responsibility of individuals to provide for themselves, their families and their dependents, while recognizing that
government must respond to those who require assistance and compassion.”
David is also a strong believer that there is a need for a viable and strong organisation that reflects the wishes of
the majority of Kiwis that spurn far left and far right politics.
He will have Board Responsibility for Strategy and Communications.
David Moffett said, “I am incredibly honoured and humbled that New Conservative feels that I can contribute to their
success in the 2020 General Election Campaign. It is my view that our foremost purpose is to ensure that as many of our
high calibre candidates are elected as possible. That is the minimum that our growing list of supporters will expect
from us. We are not there to make up the numbers.”
“We have strong leadership with sage wisdom and common sense of Leighton Baker at the helm, the growing profile of
Elliot Ikilei from the front lines of working with troubled youth, and with the dedication of the board we are achieving
growing success in profile and membership,” says Gutschlag.
ENDS