He lives in Wellington and works as a weather forecaster and meteorologist and is active in climate organisations.
Scott completed his schooling in Napier and was dux of Taradale High School in 2021, before attending university in Canterbury and Wellington, completing a Master of Meteorology.
“Tukituki has been a Labour seat previously, and I look forward to campaigning hard to make it Labour again, so that our region and our people have a voice in Parliament that’s focused on advocating for them,” Scott said.
He said his campaign would focus on the cost of living, health, and the challenges of climate change mitigation and adaptation, the latter of which attracted him to politics.
He acknowledged that he was a young candidate but added, “I don’t think of myself as a candidate just for young people”.
“I think that being young makes me more in touch with the issues that people are facing nowadays.
“I’m not someone that has huge amounts of savings insulating me, so I am directly facing the cost-of-living crisis and fuel-cost crisis head-on.
“So, I’m able to really understand at a personal level the issues people are facing in their everyday lives.
“I’m also able to really dream of that world where things can be better, where everyone can be guaranteed good lives with decent jobs, well-resourced, and affordable healthcare, and a warm, dry home over their head.”
As for not living in the electorate, he said his family lived in Hawke’s Bay, and he came up as much as possible.
He also plans to base himself in Hawke’s Bay closer to the election.
“I think people understand that as a young person it’s really hard to find jobs in Hawke’s Bay at the moment.
“I would like to live in Hawke’s Bay, it’s the place I grew up in and the place I love, but at the moment the economy there just means it is so hard to get an entry-level job, especially if you are working in something that requires a tertiary qualification.”
He said the coalition Government had been “abandoning core climate change policies, all while failing to keep the cost-of-living under control”.
“With Cyclone Gabrielle so fresh in the minds of Tukituki residents, voters will understand how important it is to have an MP and a Government that understands the significant challenges Hawke’s Bay faces as we grapple with a changing climate.”
He said three free GP visits for all New Zealanders was a key Labour policy, as well as re-investing in building new state housing.
Tukituki candidates announced to date
Incumbent Catherine Wedd (National), Taine Randell (NZ First), Rachel Ward (Opportunity), Kaleb Hawkins (Independent), and Dan Scott (Labour).
