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Leader's LetterNovember 2002Leader's Report
We are in a strong position to provide constructive examination of what is happening in Parliament. With thirteen MPs we can spread the load and tackle the issues that we pledged to keep working on during the campaign; Immigration, the Treaty Industry and Law and Order reach every New Zealander. At present the Government is bringing in more than a thousand immigrants every week. Latest statistics show that for every New Zealander who leaves, THREE immigrants arrive. This is a serious situation. The policy is placing an enormous strain on our health, education and welfare resources. Auckland is bursting at the seams with clogged motorways, soaring house prices and crumbling support structures. The Treaty industry is alive and well. We helped force the Maori Affairs Select Committee renew its inquiries into the Crown Forestry Rental Trust and the Waitangi Fisheries Commission. Ordinary people are still waiting for the benefits of these bigspending organisations. As a first step in our law and order pledge, we have started a campaign to raise the legal drinking age to 20. Ron Mark, who campaigned against lowering the age in 1999 has prepared a Private Member’s Bill to go before the House. We will be seeking support from other political parties for this. The weeks ahead will be busy but rewarding. We know that the hopes of thousands of New Zealanders rest on our shoulders. We take our responsibilities very seriously and we will not let you down.
New Zealand First President Our Leader the Rt Hon Winston Peters is the stand out campaigner in this country. His skill, audacity and connection with the public mood is simply outstanding. It was a joy to watch on television. Our media advertising was hard hitting and very very effective. If ever you wondered what our people do in Wellington there was the evidence before your eyes during the campaign. A lot of eighteen hour days went into the speeches, research and strategy that made us successful while others floundered. To celebrate our success it is essential that we gather as a team in Auckland on the 9th and 10th of November at Alexandra Park where we will hold a victory convention. Just as it is important to have a large turnout of members at conventions in times of adversity, it is also important to celebrate our successes together in large numbers. One can never underestimate the positive message that a large, well attended convention portrays to the public and to our political opponents. Your electorate chairpeople hold the convention registration forms or alternatively you can phone (07) 839 0480 and Lyn will happily send a form to you. Please be there to celebrate together as New Zealand First members and supporters and in so doing show our combined strength.
Pita Paraone MP He now lives in Howick with his wife Eva. They have three adult children and five grandchildren. Pita’s interests include rugby, rugby league, tennis, New Zealand history and music. Pita was educated at the Motatau Maori District High School and Bay of Islands College. He holds diplomas in Social Work and Business Development from the Universities of Victoria and Auckland, and attended the New Zealand Staff College of Management and Henley Management College UK. Pita spent 38 years in the Public Service in the area of Maori economic and social development, and was the Regional Director for the Ministry of Maori Development in the North, extending from Wellsford to North Cape. He has been involved in a number of community organisations including the Waitangi National Trust Board, Chairman of the Waitangi Day Organising Committee, former director of a geothermal energy company, Iwi radio station, a Maori health company and a hotel joint venture company. Pita has been supportive of New Zealand First since its inception. He believes strongly in the traditional values of loyalty and commitment. He contested the election as the candidate for Pakuranga. Brent Catchpole MP Brent was educated at Mt Albert Grammar School and the University of Auckland before completing his accountancy training with Rob Muldoon’s Accountancy firm of Kendon Mills Muldoon and Browne between 1971 and 1974. He then moved overseas to further his accountancy work experience, working in such diverse business environments as England, France, Italy and Saudi Arabia. In 1975 he became a founding shareholder and skipper of Silver Fern Yacht Holidays and for the next two years was responsible for the operation of a charter yacht in the Mediterranean and Greece. This was the beginning of a keen interest in tourism to which much of his career has been devoted. Brent is a keen genealogist and accomplished toastmaster. His interests also include water sports, fishing and snow skiing. Brent joined New Zealand First in 1993 and became Chairman of the Roskill electorate in 1994. He was appointed Regional Chairman of the Central Auckland region in 1995 and sat on the New Zealand First Executive Council and is still a Board Member of New Zealand First At this year’s election Brent stood the New Zealand First candidate for Clevedon. Dail Jones MP Associate Portfolios: Immigration, Foreign Affairs & Trade Although elected as a List MP for New Zealand First at the General Election, Dail was already a hardened campaigner. Dail was born in Karachi, Pakistan and educated at St Joseph’s and Karachi School and Karachi Grammar School. He completed a law degree at the University of Auckland and after working for local law firms decided to enter politics. Dail was first elected to Parliament in 1975 as the National MP for Waitemata and then from 1978 until 1984 as the Helensville MP. He returned to law for the next sixteen years before selling his practice but continued as a consultant. Dail has maintained his community interests over the years as Honorary Solicitor, Auckland Rugby Supporters Club, Director Waitakere City Football Club and various other honorary interests in his area. He is married to Elaine and they have three adult children. Bill Gudgeon MP Key Portfolios: Veterans Affairs, Maori Affairs Associate Portfolios: Law & Order, Defence Bill was raised in the East Coast and Waikato areas and educated at Tikitiki Maori District High School and Church College of New Zealand. He furthered his Physical Education and Maori Studies at Brigham Young University Hawaii and the University of Waikato. He served overseas as a member of the New Zealand Army (1st Battalion Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment) in South East Asia. His return to New Zealand saw him work on the Wellington waterfront and on the family farm before accepting the post of lecturer for the Department of Community and Continuing Education at Waikato Polytechnic in 1987. Bill has had a long association with a number of community organisations including the New Zealand Maori National Executive for Diabetes, Rangimoana Productions Trust, the Waikato Regional Road Safety Council and the Workforce Vision Strategy Focus Group for Waikato Polytechnic. He also served as Chairperson for the Maori Adult and Community Education Association, University of Waikato and the Waikato Polytechnic and has sat on the Ethics Committee for Sport. Jim Peters MP Key Portfolios: Local Government, Regional Development Associate Portfolio: Education Jim Peters is the third brother to enter politics. He was born in Kawakawa, educated at Whananaki Primary School, Wesley College, Auckland Teachers’ College and Auckland University. He graduated with a BA in History and Political Studies. Jim is married to Robin (nee Walters) with an adult family of three. He has had a long and distinguished career in education. He taught from primary to intermediate school level before moving to secondary education at Mt Albert Grammar. His long-term curriculum development experience includesmembership of National working parties in Education. Since 1987, Jim has been Principal of Northland College, Kaikohe, a co-ed year 9 to 13 college, which operates operational training courses in association with Taratahi Farm Training. He has had a lifetime involvement in the community. He was a foundation trustee of Far North Life Education Trust, a recent trustee of Bay of Islands Festival Trust and A K Franks Trust. Jim has also represented Far North District on the Regional Council since 1989, serving as Hearing Committee Chairman until 1994 and Chairman of the Northland Regional Council from 1995 until 2001. He represented Zone One District from Franklin North on the National Council of Local Government NZ.
Key Portfolio: Youth Affairs Associate Portfolios: Family, Tourism At 27, Craig is the youngest member of the New Zealand First team in Parliament but is already making his mark. As Youth Affairs spokesperson he is committed to acting in the best interests of young people and has taken a strong anti-drugs stance. His personal interests include water sports, music, badminton, flying light aircraft, travelling and spending time with his family. In 1991 Craig travelled to Moscow as a student of the Advanced Training Institute of America, to initiate restructuring of the Moscow Education System around character and biblical principles. During his time in Moscow he visited a number of schools, talking with university students, visited orphanages and homes of Russian Youth. There was also the opportunity to meet with business professionals and high level Government Officials of the Kremlin. Craig was awarded the Moscow Public Education Department Certificate in recognition of the work done with families, teachers and students in Moscow. He stood as the New Zealand First candidate in Rodney in the last election and entered into Parliament as a List MP.
Associate Portfolio: Education (Industry Training) Barbara has had a career in teaching, training and management. She lives on a lifestyle block in Cambridge with her husband Gordon and son Alister. Her interests include gardening, reading and supporting her son on the rugby field. Barbara holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Management Studies from the University of Waikato and a Bachelor of Education and Diploma of Teaching. She was the Group Training and Development Manager for a large manufacturing company in Hamilton before entering Parliament. Barbara has been actively involved in a number of community organisations including the Board of Trustees for Cambridge East School and was on the Parent Teacher Association at Goodwood School. A long time member of New Zealand First, Barbara has held a number of positions including Vice- Chairperson of the Karapiro electorate, Campaign Committee, Vice-Regional Chairperson for the Waikato Region, Secretary of the Cambridge Branch. After many years of commitment to the Party Barbara stood as the candidate for North Shore in the 2002 General Election. Edwin Perry Key Portfolio: Conservation Associate Portfolios: Corrections, Maori Affairs Born and educated in the Wairarapa, Edwin is one of nine children raised on the family farm in the small settlement of Tinui (east of Masterton). Edwin has four children and is the proud grandfather of two. As a keen sportsman, he has represented the Wairarapa and Hawkes Bay in rugby, golf badminton, tennis, veteran athletics and motor sports. He enjoys the outdoors and is a keen hunter. Edwin collects classic minis and early land rovers and is passionate about New Zealand history. Edwin has spent the past 25 years in sales and marketing, which has seen him travel extensively within New Zealand and abroad, spending time in both the USA and Australia. He has a long record of community involvement and is committed to several influential community boards, including the South Wairarapa Enterprise Board and Wairarapa Landfill Development Board Edwin is a long time party supporter. He stood as a candidate for the Hutt South Electorate in 1996. Since then he has worked for New Zealand First in the Wairarapa District and stood as the candidate in the Wairarapa electorate at the last election. Peter Brown MP Key Portfolios: Accident Insurance, Energy, Labour, Transport, Statistics Associate Portfolio: Health Peter continues to support the Leader in his capacity as Deputy Leader and was recently elected as the New Zealand First Whip Ron Mark MP Key Portfolios: Defence, Corrections, Civil Defence, Law & Order, Disarmament & Arms Control Associate Portfolio: Mental Health Ron recently relinquished his role as New Zealand First Whip to assist Mr Peters in promoting New Zealand First throughout the electorates during the course of his parliamentary duties. Doug Woolerton MP Key Portfolios: Primary Production, Agriculture, Forestry, Rural Affairs, Land Information In addition to his parliamentary duties Doug continues to fulfil the role of President for the New Zealand First Party. Brian Donnelly MP Key Portfolios: Education, ERO, Pacific Island Affairs, Science & Technology, CRIS, Arts & Culture, Sport Brian’s extensive knowledge and experience within the Education industry recently saw him appointed as Chairman of the Education and Science Select Committee. A CHRISTMAS GIFT THAT WILL LAST ALL YEAR! Wellington Central electorate have produced a really attractive 2003 wall calendar as a celebration of our electoral triumph. In addition to all the dates you want, the calendar includes 13 fabulous pictures of 13 fabulous MPs! Make sure you purchase a calendar ($4.00) while stocks last.
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