Neck-and-neck Struggle In Waitaki (Press, 12 August 1987)

Two former classmates, Labour MP Jim Sutton and National's Duncan Taylor, are set to compete vigorously in the Waitaki electorate for the upcoming election on 15 August 1987. Both candidates, who attended Timaru Boys’ High School together, now find themselves on opposing sides of the political spectrum. Sutton, who won the seat three years ago by defeating Cabinet Minister Jonathon Elworthy with a majority of 499 votes, is currently facing Taylor, who is aiming for a 3.3 percent swing to secure the seat without a New Zealand Party candidate contesting. Waitaki has a history of accurately reflecting national trends, having consistently been held by the party that wins the election since 1931. The electorate spans a large region in central South Island, including areas such as Oamaru, Waimate, and the Mackenzie Basin. The new boundaries now encompass additional boroughs, giving Sutton a paper majority of 1,227 votes. Sutton has made a mark in Wellington, contributing to key financial policies and operating a successful electorate office that has handled approximately 7,000 inquiries. He identifies local issues across the electorate, from flood protection in Temuka to tourism strategies in the Mackenzie area. However, he faces challenges due to a downturn in the rural economy and a drop in international tourism, especially from Australia and Asia. On the other hand, Taylor has campaigned tirelessly, travelling over 50,000 km this year. He has the backing of the Society for the Promotion of Community Standards for his stance on moral issues, and he prioritizes creating employment opportunities through National's regional development policy. Taylor advocates for a differential pricing structure for locally generated power to support local businesses. In contrast, Democrat candidate Dave Wood wants to restore the party's support in the electorate, focusing on regional development as a key issue. He criticises current economic policies for neglecting regional needs. Meanwhile, David Holden of the Wizard Party is promoting decentralisation and innovative solutions to reduce crime and unemployment, although he is seen as a long shot compared to the Labour and National candidates. Polls taken in late July indicate that National holds a slight lead over Labour, with Taylor at 45.5% and Sutton at 42.5%. Candidate familiarity with the newly added boroughs of Geraldine and Temuka will be crucial. Sutton asserts that handling these areas will be straightforward due to existing travel connections, whereas Taylor highlights his personal ties to Temuka to enhance his local rapport. With the election approaching, the candidates are focusing on local issues and voter concerns as they strive for support in a historically significant electorate.

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