Mon 31 Mar 2014 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
Grant Robertson Sitting Wellington Central MP Grant Robertson has been re-selected as Labour’s candidate for the seat, while up and comer Richard Hills has been chosen to contest Northcote. Robertson, one of Labour’s current rainbow MPs, says he is “proud and honoured to be chosen again as Labour's candidate for Wellington Central”. He says there is a big six months ahead, “but we can do it”. Robertson has quickly moved through the ranks since entering Parliament in 2008, and was Labour’s deputy leader from 2011-2013. He took on current leader David Cunliffe in a tilt for the leadership last year. He is currently the opposition spokesman for Employment, Skills and Training and Tertiary Education. Richard Hills Richard Hills has been confirmed as the Labour candidate for the Auckland electorate of Northcote. He says he is “super excited and proud”. “Labour is in my blood and I owe everything to this awesome community I grew up in. I'll work hard to win this seat and get out the vote for Labour.” Still in his 20s, Hills has already been on the Kaipatiki Local Board since 2010, and has served as a Chair of Rainbow Labour. The community health worker is passionate about getting people, young New Zealanders in particular, to vote. In Northcote, he takes on National MP Jonathan Coleman who has held the seat since 2005 when he wrested it from then Labour MP Ann Hartley. Robertson and Hills join Christchurch Central’s Tony Milne, Rotorua’s Tamati Coffey and Whangarei’s Kelly Ellis as other confirmed glbti Labour candidates, along with sitting MPs Maryan Street and Louisa Wall, while Meka Whaitiri is yet to be confirmed in Ikaroa-Rāwhiti.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Monday, 31st March 2014 - 8:42am