Tauranga MP Simon Bridges could well be in line for a third term in the city's seat judging by an unofficial SunLive reader poll.
The poll, asking readers which Tauranga candidate they will vote for this election, saw Simon pull in 50 per cent of the votes.
At 5pm yesterday Simon had 863 of a total 1739 votes, with Labour's Rachel Jones in second, just edging ahead of NZ First candidate Clayton Mitchell by 14 votes – 310 to 296.
The next best candidate is Green Party's Ian McLean with 90 votes.
Simon says it is a pleasing indication of his 'hard work” completed in the last six years as he attempts to retain the seat.
He has held the position since 2008 after beating predecessor Bob Clarkson with a 31 per cent majority vote.
'I think this reflects a sense that Tauranga is an increasingly confident and upbeat city where most people feel things are going in the right direction.
'I'm certainly not counting my chickens. The main thing that gets me out of bed in the morning is, while I value the local support for me as Tauranga MP, this election it's the party vote that really matters.”
Rachel feels she is putting up a strong showing in what is a predominately 'blue” area of New Zealand.
'I think it's not a bad showing given how historically blue this town is.
'Simon had a 17,000 majority last election so I think we are making some inroads there.”
Clayton prefers to deflect candidate attention towards the party he represents, and its party vote – an area NZ First eyes as crucial on September 20.
'I feel our campaign is going extremely well and working.
'New Zealand First is a party vote party we are not pushing for our candidates.”
Clayton says he is 'out and about” attending up to three public meetings a day and feels his role within the community will hold him in good stead.
SunLive's poll turns its attention to the Bay of Plenty candidates today, click here to view the new poll.
Question: Which Tauranga candidate will you vote for this election?'
Results:
Simon Bridges (National) – 863 votes
Nathaniel Heslop (Conservative) – 79 votes
Rachel Jones (Labour) – 310 votes
Rusty Kane (Independent) – 12 votes
Yvette Lamare (Independent) – 3 votes
Ian McLean (Green Party) – 90
James Maxwell (United Future) – 6 votes
Clayton Mitchell (NZ First) – 296 votes
Verna Ohia-Gate (Maori Party) – 12 votes
Michael O'Neill (NZ Independent Coalition) – 47 votes
Stuart Pedersen (ACT ) – 21 votes
11 comments
This will stir the jungle drums
Posted on 12-09-2014 09:50 | By How about this view!
In the greater scheme of things this is meaningless. Our local M.P. will likely be lost in the throng of puffed up egos - similar to a real estate agents convention. What is important is the party vote and getting into parliament through the backdoor. How many list names can you honestly recall off the top of your head? And what do you know of their TRUE agenda?
Clayton
Posted on 12-09-2014 09:52 | By Capt_Kaveman
will be in anyway 99.999999%
A National Party Bastion since 1938
Posted on 12-09-2014 10:02 | By Disappointed
Tauranga has always been a staunch blue ribbon seat. National could stand a poodle here and it too would undoubtedly win a third term.
@ you could say that
Posted on 12-09-2014 11:32 | By Captain Sensible
National, through three times failed to get voted in, Finlayson, is systematically turning NZ into a separatist nation where the non-maori are second class citizens. He is paid to be working for the governmant but in fact is a maori father xmas who basically gives whatever is asked for. Which of course leads to more outrageous claims....which he will say 'yes' to. Apart from that ............
Black & White Is Blue
Posted on 12-09-2014 13:53 | By Disappointed
That Winston won the Tauranga seat for NZ First came only after nine years of hard work as the National Party member. It is telling that in 1996, as kingmaker, he chose to put National back into government. Perchance his blue beginnings will surface again this election?
Keep Nats on a short Leash
Posted on 12-09-2014 14:49 | By Deborah Cunliffe
Well done Nathaniel Heslop (Conservatives), not a bad result after only a few weeks campaigning. Must be because a lot of people are realising that the Nats need support to ensure they keep honest!
@Deborah Cunliffe
Posted on 12-09-2014 15:26 | By BullShtAlert
Wonder how the Conservatives are feeling now that Larry seems to have come out in favour of Clayton and NZ First. I guess god moves in mysterious ways.
BullShtAlert
Posted on 12-09-2014 18:01 | By How about this view!
LARRY WHO? Do you mean the failed politician from way back? An irrelevance! I Haven't heard who the religious groups are backing this time, but after the last debacle around the exclusive brethren I would guess that all political parties will keep their large voting blocks a closely guarded secret. It wouldn't pay for the average guy to know what deals are being done behind closed doors for votes and possibly money.
@ BullShtAlert
Posted on 12-09-2014 18:40 | By YOGI BEAR
Sorry mate you missed the point on that, Larry will be lining up Claytons job via the by-election. There is nothing of benefit for Clayton in this "cup of tea meeting" it si all about weaseling back into the fold somehow.
Inaccurate
Posted on 14-09-2014 14:08 | By cs1983
did they just go to the suburb Bridges live in? inaccurate poll when you don't ask everyone in his electorate
a 'yes' man
Posted on 14-09-2014 21:27 | By Captain Sensible
Bridges is a 'yes' man. and avoids controversy. He just wants his 9 years as an MP and lifetime perks. Meanwhile, in the real world....
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