Act's Tukituki candidate Jan Daffern vows to speak for 'silent majority'

Jan Daffern, the Act Party candidate for Tukituki. Photo / Supplied

Tourism operator, author, writer, collector, market vendor and Act Party Tukituki candidate Jan Daffern straddles an interesting political boundary as she prepares for the general election.

Living between Whirinaki and Tangoio, where she and husband Mike run holiday operation Lakeside Cottage, the 66-year-old first-time candidate lives in the Napier electorate but is a ratepayer of the Hastings District Council.

She will stand against first-term incumbent Lawrence Yule (National), third-time candidate Anna Lorck (Labour), the Greens' Chris Perley, a candidate for a second time, and ONE Party candidate Melanie Petrowski, a first-time general election candidate who last year stood for a Hastings council seat at the local elections.

Following the announcement of her candidacy, just ahead of the opening of nominations on Monday and becoming the fifth person in the Tukituki race, she said: "I'm well known in Napier, but it makes sense to support the town where I pay my rates."

Involved in recreation administration with both the Manchester City Council and Rochdale Borough Council in England before migrating to New Zealand 20 years ago, Daffern has not previously sought public office, although she says she developed a range of skills in her various roles, and in Napier has been a member of a War Memorial Restoration group.

Act, which has previously announced candidates for Napier and Wairarapa, did not have a Tukituki candidate in the 2017 election, but having been a member for a few years and taking a greater interest this year Daffern accepted a chance to stand and wants voters to have more choice.

"I believe that society is at its best when there is freedom, democracy, and equality before the law," she said in a party media release. "Everyone should have a voice. Act is speaking up for the silent majority. I'll be asking the people of Tukituki to party-vote Act."

She is known in Hawke's Bay for her interest and involvement in antiques and collectibles and at Sunday Marine Parade markets she has been known as the "Kitchen Lady".