New Zealand First makes pitch for the provinces in Wairoa

New Zealand First deputy leader Shane Jones has sought the party vote in Wairoa with a pledge to continue backing regional investment and local industry.

Introduced as the “Prince of the Provinces” by the party’s Napier candidate Te Kira Lawrence, Jones addressed about 20 people at Gemmell’s Café on Sunday.

He pointed to investment in infrastructure and industry as evidence of NZ First’s willingness to back small-town New Zealand.

“We haven’t been shy, we haven’t been too frightened to take a risk.”

Jones encouraged the community to bring forward projects for potential investment and advocated a more substantial response to Wairoa’s river problems, with dredging forming part of the solution.

Speaking to Hawke’s Bay News after the meeting, he identified river management and water storage as priorities for Wairoa and wider Hawke’s Bay.

“In Wairoa in particular, we have to find a more profound solution to clear this river and to keep insurance costs affordable and a sense of security in the town folk here that Wellington has not forgotten about them.”

Jones said the Crown had a legitimate role in co-investing in water storage to support regional businesses and jobs.

“Well, I’m hell-bent on seeing us advance and invest in water storage.

“I fear for the eastern seaboard of the North Island, certainly the more southern areas of Hawke’s Bay, that the land will be parched, businesses will suffer, and jobs will disappear unless we can boost irrigation.”

Electricity costs were another focus. Jones outlined NZ First’s proposal to separate electricity generation and retail businesses, arguing the market needed greater transparency.

He told Hawke’s Bay News reducing electricity costs was one of the main contributions his party wanted to make to easing pressure on households and businesses.

“We live in a country that’s blessed with so many natural resources.

“It’s absurd that we should be paying these stupendously high prices for electricity, and that’s a key drag.”

After a rural resident raised concerns about prolonged power outages, Jones said his party wanted enforceable minimum standards for electricity lines companies.

On local government, he said NZ First wanted communities to help shape their own arrangements.

“New Zealand First has no agenda to force or shoehorn you into an outcome with your local government.”

Lawrence spoke about her family connections to Wairoa through her grandfather and said she intended to return over the coming months to hear residents’ views.

Jones said his visits to smaller centres repeatedly brought up concerns about energy affordability, transport access and the risk of communities being pushed into arrangements unsuited to their needs.

“And because I grew up in Awanui, north of Kaitaia, a lot of what I heard tonight resonates in terms of how I was brought up.”

Jones repeatedly appealed for the party vote and said NZ First was targeting at least 15 per cent support.

Asked after the meeting whether the party could reach that level, he said his leader and caucus wanted to go further.

“And the best thing I can do in coming to Wairoa, the Hawke’s Bay and other areas is put our credentials before the voting public and appeal to them to give us the party vote.

“And I’m absolutely confident that if we continue to boost and maintain the momentum, we’re going to blow people’s expectations out of the water.”