Act 6/ 10
Leader Jamie Whyte: “I took the leadership in an election year and I feel we’ve been campaigning from the start. I feel we’re pretty well prepared. I’m quite comfortable we’ve got it all planned out, we’re in good shape.”
Campaign team: Richard Prebble (campaign director), Brian Nicole (campaign manager). Campaign committee includes: Dr Whyte, David Seymour, former National Party Epsom electorate chairman Lindsay Ferguson and US Republican Party pollster Gene Ulm.
Campaign: Planning to run a “presidential” style campaign built around Dr Whyte. Will also be positioning itself as “a bit bluer” than the “Labour-lite” National Party.
War chest/donations: Has already received about $200,000 in large donations this year including $100,000 from long-time patron Alan Gibbs.
Candidates: The party has selected 24 electorate candidates out of 50 it plans to field but is only seriously going after Epsom.
Major policy announcements: Has already announced three strikes for burglars, an alternative Budget with a focus on low flat taxes, and a toughening up of employment laws. Campaign will feature major policy around greater private sector involvement in health.