Act candidate likes to speak

Robin Grieve will have a second tilt at the Whangarei electorate for the Act Party in the coming general election.

And while his 596 votes in 2011 put him in a low fifth place behind National's now-retiring Phil Heatley on 17,486, Mr Grieve has a special talent which could put him in Parliament if Act wins list seats in September and gives him sufficient ranking to fill one of them.

Mr Grieve, 55, has represented New Zealand three times in world toastmaster competitions, the last time in the United States in 2011.

The 55-year-old Poroti orchardist is a top speechwriter and speaker and if he gets the opportunity to sound off in Parliament he promises he certainly won't be boring.

Since the last election Mr Grieve has become a member of the Act Party Board. He is also the policy committee chairman, joint primary industry spokesman and chairman of the party's law and order working group which designed the three strikes for burglary policy.

National has not been remarkable in its first two terms apart from the introduction of three strikes for violent offences and the introduction of partnership schools, both of which were Act initiatives, he said. With a rejuvenated Act Party under the leadership of Jamie Whyte as a coalition partner, the next National government would have to introduce Act-initiated reforms that would give National a chance of retaining power in 2017.

"Act intends to use its power after the election to introduce reforms that will double the wealth of all New Zealanders in 15 years. There are not many social problems that will still exist when we are all twice as wealthy," Mr Grieve said.

Act wanted to end middle class welfare dependency, abolish corporate handouts and reduce taxes. It would introduce local and central government spending restrictions, and reform employment law and superannuation. Educational reform is a core Act policy and Mr Grieve has a particular interest in this as Whangarei has one of the first partnership schools created under the Act policy.

He is also keen on regional roading development and the extension of Auckland's northern motorway to encourage businesses to set up in Northland.

Mr Grieve is hoping Act will be able to demonstrate to voters that its policies are both sensible and bold and will bring much-needed reform.

"We want to bring in changes, but first we have to regain the trust of the voters," he said.