New Zealand First leader Winston Peters has ruled himself out of the running in the upcoming Tauranga by-election on the day that nominations closed.
The former MP for Tauranga had been widely tipped to run for the seat once more, but has officially backed away from the June election despite giving the matter 'serious consideration”.
The ex-Deputy Prime Minister held the Bay of Plenty seat from 1984 until 2005, and claimed this year's process 'should not be happening”.
The deadline for nominations for the by-election passed at noon on Tuesday, May 17.
The by-election, which is predicted to cost around $1 million, was triggered when former Tauranga MP Simon Bridges stepped down in March – a move Peters criticised amid claims the election represents 'wasteful spending”.
'When you have a three-year contract as an MP, at election time you are promising your electorate you will be there for three years,” he told Newstalk ZB.
'Just because of some personal fancy, walking off is not part of that contract.
'At a time when we've got so much wasteful spending, here we've got another example of a waste and no political party in Parliament think it's of any concern at all.”
Bridges stepped down after 14 years in the role, with National Party candidate Sam Uffindell the favourite to replace him following the election on June 18.
Rotorua mayoral candidate Tania Tapsell was a name in the frame as a possible option for National, but also ruled herself out last month.
Labour list MP Jan Tinetti is in the running along with ACT Party representative Cameron Luxton, however the Green Party has chosen not to nominate a candidate.
Other names in the hat include Andrew Hollis (New Nation Party), Helen Houghton (New Conservatives), Christopher Coker (Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis), Sue Grey (NZ Outdoors and Freedom Party) and Peter Wakeman (Independent).
Peters insisted his party's priorities are entirely focused on next year's general election. 'All of our efforts are going into that,” he says.
Bridges officially stepped down earlier this month, and will host Stuff's first digital audio show. He is yet to comment on speculation linking him to a leadership role with Auckland Chamber of Commerce.
6 comments
cost
Posted on 17-05-2022 16:02 | By dumbkof2
how can this by election cost a million bucks. someone making a rip off somewhere
He is right
Posted on 17-05-2022 16:11 | By Kancho
A by election shouldn't have to happen. Also good he isn't standing again in spite of good commentaries. Splitting the vote when it's a two horse race isn't a good idea. National needs this seat and labour needs pegging back
Memory Loss
Posted on 17-05-2022 16:14 | By FRANKS
I seem to recall Mr Peters "walking away" in times past. Anyway, he would never have won the seat so it does not matter.
National lovers in Tauranga
Posted on 17-05-2022 20:34 | By Get our roads
The only pegging back Tauranga needs is all the caucasian candidates with nothing to offer but pasty skin and the chance to make more money for themselves and their mates. Roading, housing, cost of living dont and wont get a second thought let alone be top of their to do items.
@get our roads
Posted on 18-05-2022 10:13 | By Slim Shady
If someone had made a derogotory comment about Maori and dark skin it would not get posted. But your derogatory comment seems to pass muster. And as far as I am aware there is no law from stopping anybody from standing based on race.
@Get Our Roads
Posted on 18-05-2022 13:06 | By morepork
I applaud Sun Live for publishing what some might consider a Racist statement. We need to be able to say what's on our minds... You need to get the chip off your shoulder and realize that skin color has no effect on incompetence. Greed and stupidity are not confined to any ethnicity, they are universal. Whether your criticism is true or not we will no doubt find out after the by-election. But you can be certain that flawed performance is not only endemic to white people.
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