Budd said he wanted to be a strong voice for Whangārei and part of a “great growth story”.
“I’d like us to be known for something.”
Budd described growing up in a region with thriving dairy and marine industries and a strong primary sector.
“We’ve seemed to have lost that kind of number eight wire innovation edge in Whangārei,” he said.
“Now, I understand we can’t just turn all those taps on … but can we find that catalyst?”
Budd said growth meant seeing major projects through, including the four-lane highway between Auckland and Whangārei and the Whangārei Hospital redevelopment.
“These are good things for Whangārei that we want to see through.”
Housing and education were two of his top priorities.
“We currently have 580 people on an MSD A priority waiting list for a home, and that’s not good enough for me,” he said.
He supports greater partnerships with community housing providers and wants to help more young families into affordable homes so “Whangārei is a place to call home”.
He believed key steps were planning, as in unlocking more land, and ensuring good public infrastructure.
Budd acknowledged outgoing Whangārei MP Dr Shane Reti, who announced his retirement in March.
“I’m really respectful of Shane and what he’s done not only for Whangārei but for the party,” Budd said.
However, he said he would bring his own style to the role if elected and would also have the luxury of being able to focus solely on Whangārei unlike Reti who had portfolios to manage.
“I’m 20 years younger than Shane, so I’m going to do things probably my own way in a sense of hopefully engaging that younger vote and hopefully engaging a new audience like people who have been overseas and come back into politics,” Budd said.
“I just want to be out and listen to the amazing stories of our local community, learn from our community leaders and hopefully be a strong voice for Whangārei come November. That’s my that’s my goal.”
Politics piqued Budd’s interest in 2007 when he saw then National leader John Key at Forum North. He remembered being struck by Key’s energy at the time.
The former Prime Minister said this month that the sooner Lloyd Budd gets to Parliament, the better.
“Lloyd brings a real-world experience and a load of energy,” Key said.
