Plenty of work to do says MP

THUMBS UP: When Shane Ardern passed through Te Awamutu last month in Dennis Catchpole’s VWEos, leading a ute convoy, he told the Courier the mood of constituents he had met suggested a change of government was imminent. CFP

BY GRANT JOHNSTON

After 10 years as an opposition MP, Shane Ardern is looking forward to representing Taranaki-King Country in Government.

Mr Ardern had campaigned for the Party Vote for National, as well as his own candidacy, and the strong support from voters in this electorate on both counts was part of the nationwide landslide that swept National to victory on Saturday night.

Mr Ardern increased his majority from 13,118 votes to 14,615, while National collected 60% of the Taranaki-King Country Party Vote. Mr Ardern’s 69% of the total candidate vote was the second highest in the country, behind leader John Key (see a full list of Taranaki-King Country Electorate results page 8). He says New Zealanders voted for a government that is focused on what matters to them.

‘‘National aims to be a government that will focus on strongly growing our economy, and also on providing security for our families as we move through the current international financial crisis. National is determined to improve safety in our communities. We will crack down on criminal gangs, and we will strengthen the bail laws, parole laws, and sentencing laws, to keep dangerous criminals off our streets.

‘‘We will ensure government spending is focussed on frontline services such as health and education, with a strong crusade on literacy and numeracy; and a focus on high standards and achievement so that every Kiwi child gets the opportunity to succeed in life.

‘‘National’s immigration policy aims to stem the exodus of Kiwis (80,000 over the past year) and bring more of our talented ex-pats home, while creating a climate that encourages skilled immigrants to our shores. Our approach to immigration has three overriding objectives. Firstly, to retain skilled Kiwi workers and attract overseas Kiwis back to New Zealand. Secondly, to better match the skills of immigrants with the employment needs of our economy. And thirdly, to make our immigration services world class in their efficiency and effectiveness.

‘‘New Zealanders voted for an effective centre-right government that can tackle the important issues that face our country and deliver a brighter, more prosperous future for all New Zealanders.’’

Mr Ardern says Taranaki-King Country is a great electorate and one that he has been proud to represent. At the recent candidates’ forum organised by Te Awamutu Grey Power, Mr Ardern said that he had found it extremely frustrating at times fighting the cause of people in places like Te Awamutu — ‘‘so that you do not have to go away for healthcare and other services’’.

Mr Ardern’s background, as an Opunake dairy farmer, the political experience he has gained over the past 10 years and his able representation of National in portfolios like biosecurity, forestry and agricultural make him a strong candidate for a Cabinet post.