Stuart Nash: My dream is to end up in a Labour Cabinet

Stuart and Sarah Nash out and about with children Isabella, Charlie, Will and Sophia. Photo /Supplied

Election Candidate Profile: Stuart Nash (Labour Party)
Napier Electorate

For Stuart Nash the step into the world of politics was sparked by a passionate desire to be part of ensuring Napier, and New Zealand, continue to be the best places to be, but it could equally be argued that it was a case of destiny.

For he is the great-grandson of a former Prime Minister, Sir Walter Nash.

Sir Walter Nash was the 27th Prime Minister of New Zealand and was at the helm of the second Labour Government from 1957 to 1960.

But Stuart Nash said he had no target or vision to emulate that Labour top-of-the-rung achievement.

"To be honest I am just keen to be a Cabinet minister," he said, adding that such ministers had the opportunity to make change.

"My dream is to end up in a Labour Cabinet."

After growing up in Napier he embarked into the world of business - which would see him travel extensively overseas.

"I came to realise we live in the best country in the world."

He said he arrived at a point in his life where he looked at what he was doing and where he was heading.

With his commerce and people skills he eyed up politics, and took the plunge.

He also eventually came to take the plunge to return to Napier with his family.

"Because I love this city".

It is a city and a country which is in pretty good shape "but we could be doing things better."

In terms of his political career it was not about adulation.

"You do not do this just to be remembered - if I can just leave Napier and New Zealand a bit better off then I'll be fine with it."

It has been a determined journey so far.

"I've had my setbacks but I dealt with them, because if you are passionate about what you do and want to do then you don't let them get in the way."

He was set back in his ambitions in 2005 when he entered the political arena where, while living in Auckland, he stood for the strong National-held seat of Epsom where he came in third, and being placed 60 on the party list he failed to get into Parliament.

However, despite missing out to Russell Fairbrother in the 2008 election for the Napier seat after returning home, his 36 ranking then saw him enter Parliament.

In 2011 he stood against National's Chris Tremain and lost, but his determination just strengthened.

"I though 'okay, is that the end or do we work hard for the next three years and see if we can win Napier - three years is a long time but we plotted a strong road and worked hard."

In 2014 he polled strongly and emerged as MP for Napier.

This time around?

"You don't take anything for granted," he said, adding he was not fussed about staging polls to see how he was doing.

"You just work hard and hope you've done enough."

The one setback which does emerge to rattle him is the effect on the family.

Mr Nash said politics could be selfless in terms of determined commitment to get the job done as well as selfish in terms of how that commitment could affect those closest.

And that is wife Sarah and their children Sophia, Charlie, Isabella and Will.

"Politics can be selfish because it can come before everything - the calls to meetings and the work to carry out."

It was a tough thing to balance.

"But I have a very supportive wife, and the kids hopefully understand ... and mum helps me out a lot."