DOING IT OLD SCHOOL: Kieran McAnulty is not interested in going on the Labour list. PHOTO/FILE
Wairarapa's Labour candidate Kieran McAnulty has turned his back on becoming a list MP.
Mr McAnulty said yesterday he is determined to win Wairarapa "the old fashioned way" saying he will not be seeking a position on Labour's list in this year's election.
Mr McAnulty, understood to be the only
Labour candidate not seeking a list position, says his decision not to stand on the list demonstrates his commitment to Wairarapa.
"There is a huge difference between a candidate who wants to represent his home region and one who just wants to get into Parliament. For too long Wairarapa has gone without a strong, local voice in Parliament. Wairarapa people want an MP whose primary focus is Wairarapa. They want an MP who is committed to them. This is my way of demonstrating that commitment," said Mr McAnulty.
"Like most Wairarapa people, I hold a strong connection to this region. My family have lived in Wairarapa for five generations and I have no intention of leaving. I had the opportunity to contest other seats - potentially easier seats to win - but I wasn't interested. I chose to stand here because Wairarapa is my home and has been all my life."
