Rangitikei electorate anything but close

In a seat that’s as blue as blue can be, Sam Kilmister examines the big issues in one of New Zealand’s larger electorates.

The Rangitikei electorate looks set to be anything but a close tussle. It’s been a safe National Party seat since the 1938 election, with the exception of 1978-1984, when it was held by Bruce Beetham of the Social Credit Party.

Since 2011, it has been held by former Manawatu mayor Ian Mckelvie.

If anyone knows how blue the Rangitikei electorate is, it’s Labour’s latest candidate Heather Warren. The Tertiary Education Union worker and former teacher’s family have lived in Rangitikei since 1860.

Warren, from Marton, grew up on the family farm before shifting to Whanganui.

She returned to the Rangitikei town after finishing her study at Massey University where she now lives with her husband.

She said Rangitikei had a ‘‘wonderful’’ catch-22 situation. The region had affordable housing, but the only downside was that there were fewer jobs.

But she remains a realist. The September 23 election presents a chance for Warren to make ‘‘bitesized chunks’’ into National’s following and her focus is pushing the party vote, rather than herself.

‘‘You always know when you take on the Rangitikei seat, you haven’t held it since the 1930s,’’ she said. ‘‘It’s a very rural area and, for the most part, rural people think National serves them better.’’

She’s up against the incumbent Mckelvie, who started his national political career after nine years as mayor of the Manawatu District.

Mckelvie has particular interests in sustainable agriculture, including the protection of soil and water for future generations, and sustainable economic development for rural communities.

It’s those interests that have resonated with Rangitikei voters since 2011, as he seeks a third term in Parliament. He believed towns in the northern part of the Rangitikei electorate had seen a turnaround in fortunes, with more people moving there and the local job market growing, primarily due to tourism.

Rural New Zealand still faced challenges, including how to deal with infrastructure upgrades and earthquake-prone buildings with a smaller rates base, he said.

The Green Party has Robin Mccandless in Rangitikei. Most recently employed in the public sector, Mccandless grew up overseas before falling in love with New Zealand during a sailing trip in 2000. He returned in 2005 and has worked as a consultant for Inland Revenue and the Environmental Protection Agency. He wanted to amend The Child Support Reform Act and the child support system to focus on the needs of the child, not the parent.

Farmer Rob Stevenson will stand for NZ First. He backed the party’s policies aimed at boosting the regions. Stevenson joined NZ First in 2015 and, as time went on, realised he wanted to stand in an electorate. From Northland, his mother was born and bred in Taihape and his great-grandparents were pioneers in the area.

Neil Wilson, a longtime ACT supporter, will also contest the electorate for the second time.

Wilson has been working with the party since 1996, when he stood in Mana. He said he was drawn to the party by its policies that promoted freedom and prosperity.

The Conservative Party has organic farmer Cedric Backhouse, from Rongotea, standing. Backhouse has been dairy farming in the region for 12 years and wants to see the Government encourage organic farms.

‘‘When I made the transition in 2000 there were only 30 organic farms in New Zealand. Less than 1 per cent of farms in New Zealand are organic and we claim to be clean and green.’’