On 16 October, the Governor-General formally issued the writ for the Port Waikato by-election. This is an important part of the process as it sets out the key dates leading up to the by-election on 25 November.

The reason why we must have a by-election has been well publicised. The tragic death of ACT candidate Neil Christensen during the campaign was dreadful and I have been in touch with his family since then. Neil was one of New Zealand’s pre-eminent poultry vets. Many a farmer and vet has benefitted from his wisdom and experience, and he will be greatly missed amongst our Franklin community.

The by-election will have a massive impact on the formation of the new Government. It is an unusual situation whereby National (and only National) will gain an extra seat in Parliament, so if you want to see a stronger, more stable National-led Government, only a vote for me as the National Party candidate will deliver that outcome.

An electorate MP has a huge responsibility, and it is a job I have relished for the last nine years. I live in the community and am widely known and regarded amongst residents, business owners, farmers and growers, and community groups. My electorate office is open every working day, staffed by Barbara and Lynne, both highly competent and compassionate, who can be contacted when I am away.

An electorate MP first and foremost needs to be engaged with the community and be in touch with its many varied and sometimes complex needs – in good times and bad.

As the MP for Port Waikato, I have visited schools, care homes and community groups across the electorate; I’ve met the members of every fire brigade and other voluntary service groups, including the community patrols and Coastguard units; and have helped many businesses with the challenges they faced during the Covid pandemic and the border closures, and more recently with the January floods.

I have celebrated with local cultural groups, facilitated public meetings for residents concerned about new infrastructure, and helped at many Calf Club and Ag Days across the electorate.

People want to know that their MP will stand up and represent them at the very highest level, and being inside the National Party in Government, I will be best placed to represent Port Waikato much more strongly in Parliament.

I really enjoy serving the people of the Port Waikato electorate (and the Hunua electorate before that) and it has been an honour to help the many thousands of constituents in need over the last nine years.

Overseas voting starts on 8 November and advance voting on 13 November, with the by-election itself taking place on 25 November.

On 14 October at the general election, more than 33,000 people voted across the Port Waikato electorate, over half of which gave their party vote to National. I urge you to return to the polls again for the candidate vote and elect the person who will best represent you, the community and the Port Waikato electorate in Parliament.