MEET THE CANDIDATE: Vince Cocurullo, NZ First

The former Whangarei District Council mayor, Vince Cocurullo, has been selected by NZ First to stand in the Whangarei electorate in this year's general election. In the second of our Meet the Candidates interviews, we put a number of questions to Vince. (His answers in italics.).

Party Switch

1. You've previously been associated with the National Party. What specifically led you to choose NZ First instead?

I have always been centre-right politically. NZ First aligns closely with my belief in personal responsibility, national sovereignty, equal citizenship, strong communities and practical solutions. As a proud Northlander and New Zealander, those values resonate strongly with me.

Welly watch - New NZ First MP

The resignation of a NZ First MP, Tanya Unkovich, has opened the doors of Parliament to a new list MP with strong connections to Northland.

David Wilson (#9 on the NZ First party list) was the CEO of the economic development agency Northland Inc from 2013 to 2019. He stood as a candidate for NZ First in 2017, 2020 and 2023.

He stood as the NZ First candidate in the 2020 election on a “getting things done” platform. He said, "There is no reason why Whangārei – or Northland in that sense – can't be one of the most prosperous regions in New Zealand".

I am sure there will be many who will be asking for him to lobby hard to achieve exactly that.

Wilson has a Master's in Public Policy and a PhD in Governance and Regional Economic Development. David currently lives in Kumeu. His term started on 30 June. 

[Photo credit: NZ Herald]

1News story, HERE >>>

Covid Inquiry Expanded

 

NZ First has delivered on the promises it made to anti-mandate protesters and others. Their coalition agreement with National states it will: 

• End all Covid-19 vaccine mandates still in operation.

Marsden Point - Coalition Agreement

 

The Coalition agreement between National and NZ First has a lot to say about Marsden Point, including an agreement to:

• "Investigate the reopening of Marsden Point Refinery. This includes establishing a Fuel Security Plan.
  
  
• Progress further work examining connecting the railway to Marsden Point and Northport from the Northern Main Trunk Line.
  
  
• Progress the detailed business case for a dry dock at Marsden Point to service domestic and international shipping needs and to support our Navy vessels, with investigation of funding options including commercial partnerships.”

For the full coalition agreement between National and NZ First see Here >>>

An open letter to Gavin Benney - NZ First candidate (Whangarei)

 

Dear Gavin

Congratulations on your selection as the candidate for NZ First. I am wiring to you on behalf of Democracy Northland in your capacity as the NZ First candidate.

NZ First has confirmed to me via email that it would reinstate sections 19ZA to 19ZG of the Local Electoral Act 2001. As you are aware, those sections were repealed by section 7 of the Local Electoral (Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Act 2021 which was introduced by Nania Mahuta in her then capacity as Minister of Local Government. The effect was to remove the right of electors to demand a binding poll on the creation of Maori wards, and place the onus on local councils to respond to the demands of electors.

A question to Winston Peters

 

Democracy Northland has (twice) asked Winston Peters, leader of NZ First, the following question:

Should your party be in a position to do so after the October election, would it reinstate sections 19ZA to 19ZG of the Local Electoral Act 2001?

 By way of background, those sections were repealed by section 7 of the Local Electoral (Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Act 2021