Donnelly trails third in Whangarei

By ANGELA GREGORY

WHANGAREI - New Zealand First's fading fortunes and an apparent slump in National Party support have opened the door for an upset Labour win in the traditionally blue-ribbon seat of Whangarei.

The price of loyalty is proving too high for NZ First MP Brian Donnelly, whose strong 1996 showing has been eroded by distaste for his party and its leader.

A Northern Advocate Group Research poll showed Mr Donnelly running third, with just 8 per cent support. But 53 per cent of the 300 voters were undecided.

Labour's Denise Jelicich had 10 per cent support and National's Phil Heatley led the field with 13 per cent.

The polling showed a dramatic turnaround in the party vote, with just 11 per cent support for National compared with 21 per cent for Labour, while 36 per cent were undecided.

Mr Donnelly said some voters seemed worried he might be the seat-winner to put NZ First back into Parliament.

"The funniest thing they say is, 'It's a pity you didn't jump ship ... While we think you're the best person we don't like your leader or don't like your party'."

Mr Donnelly said voters determined the standard of behaviour of MPs, and if they punished him for his loyalty they could not then criticise politicians who deserted.

He did not regret sticking with NZ First and suggested nervous voters support him as a "mellowing influence" on Mr Peters.

In 1996 Mr Donnelly gained support from voters primarily targeting the now retired National MP John Banks, but he said he remained confident of winning.

Mr Heatley said he was pleased the poll put him first and remained quietly confident, but he knew it was a close race with Labour.

Mrs Jelicich said she expected to pick up many undecided voters as she emerged as the strongest rival to Mr Heatley.

She acknowledged it was a "huge task" to turn around the seat held by National for 24 years, but said voters should think about whether they wanted an MP who would be part of the next Government.

The Alliance candidate, Tricia Cutforth, with 7 per cent support in the poll, said only she would pick up disillusioned National voters and was not prepared to endorse Mrs Jelicich.

Tricia Cutforth said that while Mr Donnelly wanted to cash in on loyalty he was in practice distancing himself from his party.

Mr Banks said National would have lost Whangarei in 1996 if it was not for him. He said clever strategic voting saw Mr Donnelly come close as the Labour vote swung in behind NZ First.

A poll expert, Dr Gabriel Dekel, said the Whangarei candidate poll results were blurred because of the high number of don't knows, and the small gaps between candidates.

The party poll was clearer with the distinct lead by Labour over National.