Brendan Horan is replacing Winston Peters as New Zealand First's Tauranga candidate. Winston has been the party's candidate in the city since 1993, but was hit by two successive losses when Bob Clarkson wrestled the seat from him in 2005 and then he failed to win it back from the National Party when Simon Bridges won it in 2008.
Brendan Horan is confirmed as NZ First's candidate for the Tauranga electorate in the 2011 general election.
New Zealand First will still have Winston at the helm as it moves into the election, with some speculating the 65 year old will contest Rodney Hide's Epsom electorate.
Brendan Horan is not only confident he will win Tauranga at the next election, but also believes New Zealand First will win enough votes to get the party back into Parliament.
'It's an awesome responsibility and it's a big responsibility and it's not one I take lightly,” says Brendan.
He will be seeking Winston's advice leading up to the election and says his leader will have a big influence on his election campaign.
'I'm able to call on Winston's experience whenever I need to.
'I think Tauranga will be really happy when they find that they are actually going to get an MP that is working for this area.”
Winston lost Tauranga to Simon Bridges at the 2008 election by more than 10,000 votes.
Brendan believes he can still be competitive against Simon and says Winston suffered a major loss at the last election because he was the victim of a 'despicable smear campaign”.
'We have seen the result of that in this unholy alliance between ACT, the Maori Party and National.”
Brendan was unsuccessful in his October campaign to gain a seat on Tauranga City Council but believes he still has what it takes to win enough votes to represent the city in Parliament.
'It gave me a good idea of where I sit in people's minds.”
'I still had 7500 people vote for me and I've had a lot of people come up and offer support and say they will vote for me at the next election.”
Brendan would not identify the main policy platforms for his campaign, fearing other political parties would steal his ideas.
'National and Labour have a track record of stealing ideas off New Zealand first and then poorly executing them.”
12 comments
Dream On Brendan
Posted on 13-12-2010 12:22 | By MrsJJ
I actually thought I was imagining things when I read the following in this article: "I think Tauranga will be really happy when they find that they are actually going to get an MP that is working for this area.” What planet has Brendan Horan been on for the past 2 years? Simon Bridges would have to be the most hardworking MP this city's ever seen and does an enormous amount for the local community. Already Horan's caught a case of "Out of Touch Winston-itis"!
Congrats
Posted on 13-12-2010 12:53 | By Harr
Well Done Brendan All the best
Posted on 13-12-2010 13:27 | By silent no more
I must say he has a positive attitude as with out that he may as well not even bother putting his hand up for the position. The other question to ask is that if he is not elected as the 'Electorate MP' will he still get in as a 'List MP'... in that case he will be able to claim the title of 'MP for Tauranga'.
Too nice.
Posted on 13-12-2010 14:07 | By Chaudog
I really don't think he will be agressive enough to over throw Simon Bridges. At least Winston had the balls to stir it up a bit.
Don't waste money
Posted on 13-12-2010 15:20 | By The Godfather
I don't think Brendan or Simon should waste money on an election campaign to win Tauranga. Instead they should have a wrestling bout, where they dress up in elaborate costumes with capes and bright colours. They could sell tickets to the event and raise money for charity at the same time. The winner takes the title as Tauranga MP and Wrestling Politician Champion.
ONE, TWO, THREE - You're Out!
Posted on 13-12-2010 15:25 | By esquire
Now that is a good idea Godfather. I propose the match should be undertaken with a table, ladders and chairs stipulation with NZ wrestlers The Bushwhackers as the special guest referees.
Hopeless
Posted on 13-12-2010 16:18 | By Jitter
Having seen this guy perform in public I would not want him representing Tauranga in Parliament. He is an arrogant self opinionated individual who only seems interested in pushing himself and what a wonderful person he is. MP for Tauranga - No thanks !
Doncha just LOVE politics?
Posted on 13-12-2010 17:30 | By morepork
I read the various opinions with interest, never having met the man nor seen him in action. I was very interested when a young man knocked on my door during the last Nationwide elections, and said he was campaigning for National in Tauranga. After a 20 minute chat during which I asked him some pretty direct questions and he answered honestly, without attempting to deflect, or denigrate his rivals, I decided we could do much worse than have him represent us. I therefore changed my vote from Winston to Simon. I have a lot of respect and regard for Winston Peters, but he never called to my house. And I'm not sorry that we got Simon Bridges. If Mr. Horan presents himself on the doorstep, I'll make the same assessment of him as I did before, but he'd have to have some very good policies before I would consider replacing Simon. You probably gathered I'm not a Party voter; preferring to vote according to the policies and people I most want to represent me. Hopefully, there are thousands of "swinging" voters like me, who ensure that we keep our Democracy honest.
14GK
Posted on 13-12-2010 22:32 | By 14GK
C'mon Brendan. With just under 8,000 votes from a potential 80,000 registered in the TCC election, how in the hell are you going to get the 20,000+ you'll need to beat Simon Bridges from just 45,000 voters? It might help if you actually lived in the Electorate but then the leader of the Winston First Party didn't either did he?
PIGS MIGHT FLY 2
Posted on 14-12-2010 09:16 | By Ratcatcher
Looks like some non~event looking for a meal ticket. Won't ever be elected best chance is an unlikely list MP.Would question the guys interlect and ask what work this invisible man has been doing over past 5 years?????.Lets have a CV to check it out.
Yeah Right...
Posted on 14-12-2010 09:58 | By silent no more
Did he not stand last election... and if so what were the voters telling him with his vote count!!! Having spoken with Simon when he was out door knocking and chatting with him, I was impressed about his views on the future for not just Tauranga, enough to vote for him as my local representative. To date I have been impressed with his actions. Where has Brendan been over the last couple of years since the last election and what has he done for Tauranga that is worthy of mention... Yes lets see a CV, this should be standard for all candidates to provide, as at the end what they say is only words... prove you are worthy of our vote.
A
Posted on 05-01-2011 00:29 | By The Master
Like lets get the Devonport naval base to organise that one
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