Employment Minister Willie Jackson says Whanganui is well placed to benefit from the Government's $30.3m Mana in Mahi (strength in work) programme and the establishment of independent skills leadership groups to manage the changing skills
Willie Jackson says Whanganui well-placed for apprenticeships and job growth
Steph Lewis, who lost to current National MP Harete Hipango in 2017, will contest the seat again.
"National has held the seat for a long time but the gap wasn't too big at the last election and your current mayor [Hamish McDouall] did quite well as the Labour candidate at the one before," he said.
"Jacinda Ardern is very well-liked as a leader, which is a bonus for our electorate MPs."
Jackson, who is a former radio and television broadcaster, as well as former chairman of New Zealand's 21 iwi Māori Radio stations, said it was a treat to visit Awa FM.
"Iwi radio has a vital role to play in supporting communities and it should be about more than sharing te reo Māori."
Jackson said he studied te reo in Wellington with Awa FM station manager Whetu Fala a few decades ago and it was great to catch up with her in Whanganui.