Election 2020: Charlotte Weber standing for Advance NZ in Whanganui

Advance NZ Whanganui candidate Charlotte Weber. Photo / Supplied

A mum of four, a successful business owner: Charlotte Weber is trying her hand at politics.

Weber, the Whanganui candidate for the Advance NZ Party, was raised in Whanganui before moving north to Auckland for three years. She studied business, before returning to Whanganui to open her own plumbing business alongside her husband.

Despite never being overly engaged in politics, Weber decided to run after learning of the party during the Covid-19 lockdown.

"I've never really actually been interested in politics until this year. When I came across Billy Te Kahika and heard what he was saying. It was like a breath of fresh air for me," Weber said.

She says, if elected, one of her biggest priorities would be recharging the Whanganui economy, providing jobs and opportunities for residents.

"I am not happy about all the vacant shops. We see chain clothing stores that can't survive here. Something needs to be done about that, we should be thriving, not driving to Palmerston North to go shopping. I want to see Whanganui thriving economically."

As someone who left the region to work in a bigger city, Weber is also focused on more social issues such as family, ensuring enough opportunities exist in Whanganui to keep people together.

"I want to see our families supported and sticking together. I think encouraging our youth to have a future here in Whanganui instead of having to look to other regions or overseas is important."

The Advance NZ party has attracted significant controversy since it's establishment four months ago, with critics stating the party is based around conspiracy theories. Weber rejects this claim, and says that claim is made to "marginalise" supporters of the party who are actually asking "the tough questions".

"I do reject the claim we are a conspiracy theory party. We base everything we say on facts.

"We come out against the grain and ask those hard questions and they label you as a conspiracy theorist rather than answering your actual question."

Despite the criticism, it has been one of the fastest rising party's in recent years, with social media reach similar to that of the major parties. While sitting at 1 per cent in most polls, Weber isn't ruling out her chances of entering Parliament.

"This is just phenomenal. It's unprecedented. We've never seen a political movement rise in such a short space of time."

"I'm absolutely confident."