McAnulty works hard for his win
Labour MP dedicates win to his late grandmother Betty McAnulty
Labour’s Kieran McAnulty has been given the right to rule Wairarapa as its electorate MP, with Central Hawke’s Bay and Tararua’s blessing as well. McAnulty took 19,519 votes with National’s candidate Mike Butterick gaining 14,108. Behind National in 2017 bymore than 2000 votes, on Saturday M cA nu ltyw on by more than 5000 votes.
Ron Markcame in third with 2884 votes, nextwas Green candidate Celia Wade-Brown on 993 then overseas based Act’s Roger Greenslade at 910, New Conservatives’ Warren Butterworth 502, Advance’s Nigel Gray 356 and Independent Aileen Haeata 72.
The last time Wairarapa swungleft was when Georgina Beyer held the seat from 1999 to 2005, but electorate boundaries have since extended north to include the likes of Dannevirke, Waipukurau and even Waipawa.
Wairarapa Labour held a thronging party at the WairarapaBush rugby clubrooms on Saturday night.
McAnulty was with his proud parents Marie and Mike McAnulty and about 100 volunteers delighted with him and the party.
It was a result they had been working towards for 15 years.
But in McAnulty’s speech, he said that the death of his beloved grandmother Betty McAnulty, 85, two weeks ago was adifficult blow during the campaign.
“I would do anything to have her
here to seemywin tonight, Ihave wanted this for a long time formy hometownand formyfriends and family and supporters,” McAnulty said.
“Tomyparents Marie and Mike, thank youfor your love and support, it has been wonderful toknowyou are there for me, Ihave wanted this job since Iwas a boy. Thank youvery much,” he said.
Henever thought Labour would be in the position to win the candidate vote and party vote as well, but he did soak upthe support on the trail and felt things could be turning towards that.
“Iamgrateful and thankful for the level of trust inmeto represent the community,” he said. “There has not been a Wairarapa MP with the level of influence I can bring to government for a long time. I am determined to deliver for the region.”
Hethanked his delighted supporters for the hard work done and the 11,000 contacts by phone or on the streets to get the morethan 5000majority.
In particular, he thanked his campaign manager Callum Penley.
After the speech outside, Penley took a call from his mother in Australia and tears started flowing. Hecan’t be with her but they had the victorious moment over the phone.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry for crying, I missmymumand want to share this victory with her,” Penley said.
“It is just overwhelming whatwe have done, it is fantastic.”
Acknowledging the other major candidates McAnulty said Butterick should be proud of what he did in a short campaign and pledged to work with him. Hesaid outgoingNZ FirstMP(the party not making it back to Parliament) Ron Mark should also be “incredibly proud” of his career and his work as Defence Minister and wishedhim all the best.
After these words, McAnulty let loose and had adance with hismum. Butterick congratulated McAnulty and later turned upto the Labour event.
Wairarapa’s Green Party candidate Wade-Brown alsocame to the party with her supporters. The two hugged and then those gathered watched the broadcast of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern delivering her speech at the Auckland Town Hall. After this, the musicpumpedup and the party took off.