October 17 2023
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Tide of change for Northland u by Andy Bryenton
Northland has turned blue, with the National Party winning not just the electorate but a broad mandate to form a government nationwide following Saturday’s general election.
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Voting streams were steady on Saturday in the eastern area, including polling at Mangawhai. Meanwhile, at Maungatūroto on Friday and Saturday, queues of voters turned up to cast their ballots. National Party candidate Grant McCallum arrived on Saturday morning with his family to register their votes. He was relaxed and had no expectations regarding the election outcome. Mr McCallum was quite philosophical but also positive at the same time. There was a similar pattern at Paparoa and Ruawai, often with local residents catching up on some neighbourly conversation after exiting the polling booths. Dargaville’s polling stations remained steadily busy all day, with queues out the door in some locations. In total, 38,899 votes were cast by Northlanders, delivering a victory for the National Party and Mr McCallum. He was elected with 14,245 votes, beating the Labour Party’s Willow-Jean Prime by a margin of more than 5,000. Shane Jones of New Zealand First came in third, with the ACT Party in fourth place. “It’s a real privilege and a real thrill,” said the newly incumbent Mr McCallum. “Big thanks to all those who voted for me and for the party, and a big thanks to all the volunteers and all those who have helped make that victory possible.” Speaking from his Kaipara farm, the National MP reflected on how he’d be changing pasture and a quad bike for the corridors of power. “It’s the last time I’ll be doing this kind of thing for quite a while. I’ve just shifted
BUY - SELL - RENT
p An election victory has placed the National Party’s Grant McCallum (pictured here, centre, with his family) in parliament to be the voice of Northland within a new government
some animals out the back of the farm, but I’ve got to be in Wellington tomorrow for meetings. I’m really looking forward to representing the people of the north, the greatest province in the country, that is miles above the rest.” The other big winner on the night was the New Zealand First Party, returning to parliament with eight seats, though not with the Northland electoral seat, which Shane Jones had hoped for. Mr Jones described his leader, Winston Peters, as ‘the ultimate political phoenix’
as supporters celebrated in the Bay of Islands. A full 20 per cent of votes are yet to be counted, which may change some results around the country, but the biggest question for now remains that of New Zealand First’s role in a coalition government. Those special votes and a rare parliamentary overhang may necessitate a deal being struck between Mr Peters, the ACT Party and the National Party in days to come. ¢
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