Mount Maunganui’s Tom Rutherford ‘humbled’ to be named National Party candidate for Bay of Plenty

Tom Rutherford says he is prepared to “fight” to win the right to represent the Bay of Plenty as its MP.

On Wednesday night, local National Party delegates chose the 26-year-old Mount Maunganui communications executive as their electorate candidate, with Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller retiring from politics.

Rutherford told the Bay of Plenty Times the selection experience was “really humbling”.

“The local party members have selected me and it’s [incredible] to have their support. I’m not going to let them down.”

“I feel really privileged. I’m really, really happy.”

Last week, horticulturalist and trust director Pare Taikato was selected as the Labour Party’s candidate for the Bay of Plenty seat after MP Angie Warren-Clark announced she was standing for election in Whangārei.

Rutherford most recently worked for Rotorua mayor Tania Tapsell, a former National Party East Coast candidate, at Rotorua Lakes Council.

Asked what he most wanted people to know him, Rutherford said “an empathetic and hard-working local MP who’s passionate for the Bay of Plenty and ensuring we have the best possible services”.

He would pick the baton up from Muller, who fought for key projects such as a 24/7 medical centre for Pāpāmoa.

Local transport such as the Takitimu North Link was also “really important to me”, Rutherford said.

Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller. Photo / Mark Mitchell

“I’m going to be the strongest advocate for the electorate to ensure the transport projects we need are signed off.

“I’m going to be learning. I’m going to be listening, taking everything on board.”

Rutherford confirmed he lived in the electorate, and said he wanted people to feel they could reach out to him for support and advice.

He was one of four men shortlisted last year to become National’s Tauranga MP after Simon Bridges resigned.

The shortlist drew commentary at the time for its lack of diversity. Sam Uffindell was selected.

Rutherford said he would “stick up for every community member that calls this place home”.

“I’m going to be getting out and about to listen to people and understand the issues that [they have].

Rutherford said that included the cost of living crisis.

“Families are wondering where they are going to fund hundreds of dollars a week to pay the mortgage. That’s before we get to paying groceries.”

He named former Bay of Plenty MP and Minister of Health Tony Ryall, who retired in 2014 after 24 years in Parliament, as the New Zealand politician he was most inspired by.

Muller followed Ryall in the seat, which has been held by National since it was re-established in 1996, and for several decades in its previous iteration.

Muller announced in March this year he would not seek re-election, telling the Bay of Plenty Times at the time there wasn’t enough fire in the belly to continue.

It followed a rollercoaster few years that saw him spearhead a coup against Simon Bridges and lead National for 53 days before a mental health breakdown forced him out of the role, get demoted under Judith Collins’ leadership, resign, then change his mind when Christopher Luxon became leader.

Rutherford paid tribute to Muller and said he was looking forward to the chance of taking on his role as MP.

“You need to be prepared to stand up and fight for your community and bring their issues to the fore and get an electorate the things they deserve,” Rutherford said.

“I’ve got the skills to be the best possible advocate for the Bay of Plenty.

“I will earn the right to be MP.”

- Additional reporting Luke Kirkness