City Of Timaru Key To Winning Electorate (Press, 5 August 1987)

In the Timaru electorate, which includes Timaru city and surrounding areas like Fairlie and Pleasant Point, the political landscape has evolved significantly since the 1985 by-election. Following the death of Labour MP Sir Basil Arthur, Maurice McTigue of the National Party won the seat, marking the first time Labour lost in Timaru since 1928. This shift towards National was interpreted by many as a move towards conservatism, evidenced by Labour voters either abstaining from voting or opting for other parties. Polls indicated a growing discontent among former Labour supporters regarding the government's handling of economic issues, particularly the rising unemployment in South Canterbury, which reached a record high of 1,822 in June 1987, amounting to one in twelve workers. Amidst the economic downturn, several key employers scaled back operations, and the Stafford Mall—which opened just 18 months prior—was up for auction. Despite these challenges, McTigue’s popularity seemed to have endured. A poll conducted by the 'Timaru Herald' showed his personal support at 60%, compared to his Labour opponent, Gary Clarke, who garnered 15%. However, Labour still held a slight edge in party support, with 41% favouring Labour against 36.3% for National. McTigue attributed his continued popularity to his engagement with the community and efforts to address local employment concerns, such as initiatives to support businesses and attract new industries. He emphasised the necessity of improving the rural economy and identified potential new ventures, including refitting fishing boats and promoting Timaru as a retirement destination. Meanwhile, Clarke, a lawyer with community ties in Timaru since 1981, argued for a stronger education system as a remedy to unemployment, which he viewed as essential for job creation. He aimed to reduce the skills mismatch in the labour market and projected optimism about improving economic conditions under Labour's governance. Other candidates in the election included Lynley Simmons from the Democrats, who had minimal support and was temporarily out of the electorate, and McGregor Simpson from the New Zealand Party, facing redundancy due to workforce cuts at Watties. Lastly, Stan Lusby from the Consensus party promoted a collaborative political approach. Overall, while McTigue appeared confident about retaining his seat amid rising economic challenges and shifting voter sentiments, Clarke's presence as a strong candidate suggested potential shifts in Labour's favour, particularly with a needed 4% swing to take the seat back from National. This election underscored ongoing tensions in New Zealand's political landscape during a period of economic uncertainty.

The text on this page is created, in the most part, using Generative AI and so may contain errors or omissions. It is supplied to you without guarantee or warranty of correctness. If you find an error or would like to make a content suggestion please get in contact

The text on this page is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 New Zealand