MacIntyre to stand locally

Conservative Party chief executive Christine Rankin with husband Kim MacIntyre. Mr MacIntyre has just been confirmed as the Conservative Party's candidate for the Whanganui electorate. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

The husband of high-profile Conservative Party candidate Christine Rankin is standing for the same party in the Whanganui electorate.

Kim MacIntyre's nomination came in just before the deadline on August 26.

Ms Rankin declined to give Mr MacIntyre's contact details, but spoke briefly to the Wanganui Chronicle yesterday. She said Mr MacIntyre was "very excited" to be standing in the Whanganui electorate.

"He doesn't have any direct Whanganui connections, but he believes very strongly in what the party is doing and wanted to be involved.

"Whanganui was one of the gaps we had in terms of candidates and Kim decided to choose Whanganui."

She said the Conservative Party had "great support" in the Whanganui electorate.

"[Party leader] Colin Craig received a very enthusiastic reception when he visited Wanganui recently," Ms Rankin said. Ms Rankin is the Conservative Party's chief executive and candidate for the Epsom seat. Mr MacIntyre is her fourth husband.

Their relationship caused controversy in 2009, when they married less than six months after Mr MacIntyre's previous wife took her own life.

Ms Rankin had just been appointed as the Families Commissioner.

Another last-minute nomination for the election was Jordan Winiata, who is standing for the Mana Party in the Te Tai Hauauru seat.