I am proud to call Southland my home. The electorate of Southland is a regional economic powerhouse in farming, tourism, horticulture, forestry and construction and an increasing presence in information and space technology. I moved here after growing up in Hawke's Bay and my children attended local schools.
I am a Kiwi through and through and very proud of my country. One of my ancestors was a gold miner in Central Otago, my paternal grandfather played cricket for New Zealand. He was a successful Wellington businessman and my maternal grandfather was a Captain in the New Zealand Army fighting in North Africa and Greece during the Second World War who suffered severe war injuries but who went on to establish a successful business in Auckland on his return.
I was motivated to offer to serve as your local Member of Parliament, because I have vividly experienced the impact of decisions made in this House as a child. Given the challenges facing our country, I hope to be a voice for pragmatism, of ambition for our nation.
I know from my life experience kids go hungry if their parents don’t have money. It is one of the key responsibilities of government to create a policy framework that empowers business owners and their employees.
I believe strongly in the success of our primary sector to ensure domestic food security, employment and export earnings. Tourism is also a hugely important part of our economy. We will need to do all we can to support the industry and its people.
You can find everything that makes the Southland a great region right here; it is a breathtaking and incredibly diverse region, with strong businesses and outstanding schools – but it is not without its challenges.
Like the rest of New Zealand, it is facing the pinch from a Government that is breaking its promises to Kiwis, hiking the cost of living, and failing to deliver on the things that matter.
Southland needs an effective National Government. It is with a great deal of optimism and hope that I look toward the future of this great country, and this great Southland region that I am so fortunate to represent in Parliament.
October 06, 2023
A National government will support the growth of New Zealand’s nascent aerospace sector, recognising its potential to boost New Zealand’s economy, National Leader Christopher Luxon says. “National ...
READ MORESeptember 29, 2023
National will cut red tape and restore certainty for forestry and wood processors as part of our plan to drive investment and rebuild the economy, National’s Forestry spokesperson Joseph Mooney say...
READ MOREFebruary 27, 2023
National's Forestry spokesperson Joseph Mooney says that the Prime Minister and his Forestry Minister seem to be at odds on what the forestry slash inquiry will focus on. “Only three days after the...
READ MORESouthland is a large, diverse electorate with farmers, orchards, businesses and workers throughout. From our more populated tourist towns like Queenstown and Te Anau, agricultural hub Gore and now Alexandra, to our tightknit rural communities, everything you could need can be found here.
JOIN THE TEAM THAT WILL DELIVER MORE JOBS AND A BETTER ECONOMY.