Matt King named as National's candidate

National's Northland candidate Matt King and his wife Sarah. Photo / Debbie Beadle

Okaihau beef farmer Matt King has been selected to contest the Northland electorate in next year's general election for National.

Northland born and bred, and resident in the region for most of his life, he described himself as a proud Northland boy who had always called "this place" home, and he was looking forward to earning the right to be the strong, local voice the electorate deserved.

"Whether you're running a small business in Kerikeri, farming in Kaeo or showing visitors around in a stunning spot like the Bay of Islands, I know our local communities and their needs well," he said.

"Northland is a more prosperous place under this John Key-led National government. Our economy is growing with more local jobs, we're improving vital infrastructure, and investing in better social services.

"I'm the only candidate who will be a strong local MP, based in Northland, in a government that gets results."

Mr King, who lives in Okaihau with his wife Sarah and three teenage children, spent seven years as a police officer in Auckland after completing a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Auckland.

In 2000 he joined the CIB and returned to Northland as a detective before retiring from the Police in 2007.

Since then he has owned and operated a dry stock farm and a number of small businesses, as well as working as an independent fraud investigator.

He is an active member of the Okaihau Volunteer Fire Brigade, a senior rugby referee and and a member of the New Zealand Polocrosse board of directors.