Hamish Walker
THE inattendance and apology for Mr Hamish Walker, National Party candidate, at the recent ‘‘Meet the Candidates’’ evening at Gore, prevented the following question being asked of him: Given that he moved to CluthaSouthland for the candidate selection process, I wish to know whether he will continue to reside in that electorate after the election, in the event he is successful?
The answer is important. Bill English chose to live in Wellington, and enjoy the Wellington lifestyle, over living here in the South, among those whose interests he claimed to identify with, and to represent. This, despite all air travel required being provided. Southland people do not want to be taken for granted again. We are not secondclass or secondrate, or second choice. Provincial does not mean inferior. And we do not want that sort of message from our leaders again. We want a proper representative, not some form of carpetbagger. A swift answer please Mr Walker. Ian Robertson
Gore [Hamish Walker replies: ‘‘If I am fortunate to be elected as the successful candidate on September 23, I plan to live in our home in Warepa. Should I be successful, I will continue to take nothing for granted. CluthaSouthland is where my heritage and identity is based, and because of this I feel a strong connection to the region. I believe I would have an obligation to remain in the region should the people of CluthaSouthland offer me this privilege.
‘‘ My father, his two brothers Jeff and Gordon, his mother, and my mothers grandparents were born and raised in Invercargill, and my father’s father was born and raised in Riverton. I continue to have extended family across the electorate. My partner also has a strong desire to remain in CluthaSouthland, as she was born and raised in Invercargill and Riverton.
‘‘My family history in the region dates as far back as the 1860s when my ancestor John Barr played a role in establishing Balclutha. I am proud of the ongoing community involvement my family has within CluthaSouthland and wish to continue this by being present and productive in the region for the foreseeable future, should I be elected.’’]