‘Force of the North’ speaks

WHANGAREI: Northland voters have been told they would benefit financially and socially by returning NZ First to government, while every other party would turn its back on the region.

‘‘Matt King — what has he ever done?’’ asked NZ First’s Shane Jones of his National Party opponent and incumbent Northland MP. ‘‘What can he ever do?’’

Mr Jones called Mr King an ‘‘obscure backbench MP’’ who was ‘‘irrelevant’’ in comments after a speech in which he talked of the financial benefits Northland, and other provincial areas, had enjoyed from the $3 billion Provincial Growth Fund, secured in coalition talks by NZ First.

It got personal quickly at the launch of Mr Jones’ campaign for Northland, where he made clear the contrast he would offer voters — the ability of NZ First to sit at Cabinet and shower benefits on its provincial supporters against decades of perceived neglect by Labour and National.

While Mr Jones is minister of regional economic development, Mr King sits well down National’s list of MPs with responsibility for regional development only in the North Island, and an associate transport role.

At current polling, NZ First needs an electorate seat to pull itself back to Parliament, and Mr Jones’ shot at Northland is considered its best shot.

Mr Jones delivered his message in Whangarei — not in the Northland electorate — at what was meant to be NZ First’s national campaign launch.

The sudden illness that struck leader Winston Peters meant the launch was put back a week and the Whangarei event was used to launch the campaigns of Mr Jones and the party’s Whangarei candidate, Dr David Wilson.

In a speech to about 300 people, Mr Jones dubbed himself the ‘‘Force of the North’’ and asked what the National Party had done for the region.

‘‘In the North the National Party jalopy is actually falling apart, riddled with rust,’’ he said. ‘‘In fact, in the North we regard our rusted railway as a symbol of the National Party’s attitude to Northland’s ambitions.’’

Mr Jones cast NZ First as a moderating influence against the supposed political extremes of Labour and National, and said it was the champion of the provinces.

‘‘Never again, folks, the economic cold shoulder in Northland. Our party — your party — is not going to take it any more.’’

Mr King, who took the seat from Mr Peters by about 1300 votes in 2017, said he listened to part of Mr Jones’ speech and heard ‘‘hypocrisy and irony’’ in every sentence.

He said voters needed to consider Mr Jones’ claims against his presence in Helen Clark’s 19992008 government, during which ‘‘nothing’’ was done for Northland.

There has been speculation locally Labour might do a deal to allow NZ First the chance to return, providing a coalition partner. The Herald understands that is not going to happen. — The New Zealand Herald

❛ Never again, folks, the economic cold shoulder in Northland. Our party — your party — is not going to take it any more

Shane Jones