Labour goes with tradie in Kaiko¯ura

quickly decided to throw his hat in the ring for Parliament, where he will take on incumbent National’s Stuart Smith, who will be looking to make it three wins in a row.

The last time a Labour Party candidate was successful in Kaiko¯ ura was in 1970, when Ian Brooks won a by-election.

‘‘I agree it’s a very strong National region and many of my friends are very strong National and blue-blooded, but we have gone through a cataclysmic event around the whole planet. And now we need to see a lot more compassion and a lot more understanding of what businesses and people on the frontline need,’’ he said.

‘‘And I just don’t think that National really had that acumen to actually deliver to New Zealand for what they need at this time,’’ Flight said.

However, because of the prime minister’s global spotlight, it was possible some National supporters in the region could vote Labour, and the National leadership change was another reason voters could go red, Flight said.

‘‘Marlborough is becoming just a little bit dissident.’’