Nicola Grigg, National's candidate in Selwyn. Photo / Supplied
Nicola Grigg, National's candidate in Selwyn. Photo / Supplied
A former National Party press secretary and former journalist, Nicola Grigg, has been selected as the party's candidate for the safe seat of Selwyn.
She is a former press secretary to Simon Bridges and to Sir Bill English, when he was Finance Minister and Prime Minister, and described those jobsin a statement as a career highlight.
She left work in the Beehive to return to Canterbury and made no secret of her ambition to become an MP.
She studied at the New Zealand Broadcasting School in Christchurch working at some point for Newstalk ZB and RNZ.
In 2011 she was in a relationship with former All Black captain Richie McCaw.
In a statement about her selection today, she said the people of Selwyn knew the value of hard work and expected their Government to spend their tax dollars wisely.
"Labour and its coalition partners have talked a big game but failed to deliver on its promises."
She also paid her former boss a big compliment.
"Having worked for Simon Bridges, I've seen up close his intellect and understanding of what truly matters to Kiwis.
"He and his team around him know to run the economy to make sure it's thriving and able to meet the needs of all New Zealanders."