January 31 2023
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Shane Jones declares for Northland u by Andy Bryenton
New Zealand First’s Shane Jones has signalled his intent to represent Northland in parliament, indicating that he’s going to be a force on the ballot for this year’s general election.
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Mr Jones addressed a crowd of more than 100 guests at Mangawhai Golf Club last Thursday, as part of the local Liniment Club’s charitable after-dinner speakers’ engagement. With the mayors of both Kaipara and Whangārei present, he spoke of his intent to secure the Northland electorate and be a strong advocate for regional growth, before outlining some of the policies he stands for. “It is fitting that we are here for Te Whai,” said Mr Jones, referencing the Te Whai Trust, a local charity the evening was hosted to support. “Te Whai is the Māori word for the stingray, and the stingray is said to be the shape of the North Island. At the end of the year, I hope to be the sting in the stingray.” Shane Jones stated Northland was far better off thanks to his work with the Provincial Growth Fund and his instrumental role in the Te Tai Tokerau Water Trust’s programme of establishing dams to encourage more profitable land use. Both Kaipara mayor Craig Jepson and Whangārei mayor Vince Cocurullo have enjoyed Provincial Growth Fund-related progress in their respective constituencies. “Why should we not have a champion for Northland to ensure our fair share?” asked Mr Jones, who said he would like to see further investment in the north. “Let’s not allow these opportunities and resources to disappear into the orifice known as the ‘super city’,” he said, referencing the expenditure on Auckland instead of Northland.
p Councillors Ash Nayyar, Jonathan Larsen and Mike Howard and mayors Craig Jepson and Vince Cocorullo welcomed Shane Jones’ intent to run for Northland’s parliamentary seat
When questioned on the timing of his announcement, Jones cited the past volatile week in politics as a spur to action. “The opportunities for New Zealand First have vastly improved as a consequence of last week. It’s just not credible to say that Jacinda’s gone, so it’s all going to be ka pai.” He expressed disappointment how the country had developed without the ‘handbrake’ of a NZ First coalition partner on policy, indicating strong opposition to co-governance measures and Three Waters in particular. It was his opinion that the whole Three Waters reform should be put ‘on ice’, and he criticised the formation
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of monolithic water entities. “There’s a resentment that Wellington knows best as far as Northland is concerned. We have every right to challenge that quality of behaviour,” Mr Jones said. Shane Jones also struck out at problems facing Northland and New Zealand as a whole, tackling questions on welfare dependency, the cost of living crisis, carbon afforestation and suggesting a stronger police stance on organised crime. He also indicated that he would support the finalisation of Waitangi Tribunal settlements, saying it’s time for New Zealand to move into a new era. ¢