The National Party is set to have two former tobacco industry lobbyists standing for Parliament this year with the selection over the weekend of Todd Barclay as Finance Minister Bill English's replacement in Clutha-Southland.
Like Mr English who has been MP for the electorate for 24 years, Mr Barclay was raised in small Southland farming community Dipton, as well as in Gore.
At just 24, he has worked in Mr English's office as well as for Hekia Parata and Gerry Brownlee but more recently has been Corporate Affairs Manager for tobacco giant Philip Morris.
Chris Bishop who is currently a senior advisor to senior Cabinet Minister Steven Joyce but also used to be Phillip Morris corporate affairs manager is seeking National's nomination to stand in Hutt South against Labour's Trevor Mallard.
Advertisement
Advertise with NZME.National's ongoing makeover of its electorate candidate list has included the recent selection of 48 year old winery owner and company director Alastair Scott to replace John Hayes in Wairarapa.
Management consultant, mountaineer and British Parachute Regiment veteran Andrew Bayly was recently selected to contest Paul Hutchison's Hunua seat and dairy industry figure Barbara Kuriger was picked to run in Taranaki King Country which has been held by Shane Ardern since 1998.
Late last month former chairman of the New Zealand Republican Movement Lewis Holden was selected to contest the Rimutaka seat currently held by Labour's Chris Hipkins.
