NZ First looks to Mt Albert
February 11th, 2009 at 10:00 am by David FarrarNZ First is looking at standing in the Mt Albert by-election if it occurs:
I heard a few weeks ago that they saw this as a possible route back into Parliament for them. And it can’t be totally dismissed – third parties often do very well in by-elections.
Complicating this by-election is the situation I have previously blogged on. If Phil Twyford is the Labour candidate, then a vote for hm in Mt Albert may bring Judith Tizard back in on the list. You could expect to see a huge amount of focus on this.
It sounds like Winston may not be the candidate:
Mr Groombridge would not comment when asked if Mr Peters would be the candidate. He said it would be up to the party’s electorate organisation to choose. He was “pretty certain” NZ First had a branch in Mt Albert.
I find it amusing the Party President can not be sure if they have an electorate organisation or not!
Mr Groombridge said he also believed that Mr Peters should share the leadership of NZ First.
He said a co-leader would bring in “new blood”, while still retaining Mr Peters who “really is the patriarch of the party, there’s no question about that”.
Patriarch isn’t a bad term for Winston. Wikipedia describes as:
Originally a patriarch was a man who exercised autocratic authority as a pater familias over an extended family.
I’m wondering though if “capo” may not be a better term 
Mr Groombridge said that depending on whether Helen Clark got the job and when she left, NZ First’s candidate could be either a contender for the co-leadership or the newly appointed co-leader.
If Ron Mark is co-leader, Ron could do quite well – especially that voting for him won’t automatically bring Winston in with him – unlike in the general election.
Related posts:
- Greens and Mt Albert
- Labour’s problem with Mt Albert
- Greens aim to win Mt Albert with Norman
- The NZ First Campaign
February 11th, 2009 at 10:02 am
So Winston could be back, that would piss off TVNZ.
Vote:February 11th, 2009 at 10:16 am
One thing they better not count on is another hundred grand from Owen Glenn.
Vote:February 11th, 2009 at 10:18 am
I think that the capo is kaput.
Vote:February 11th, 2009 at 10:19 am
the key phrase it “could be back” for NZ First. They’d have to be lucky to take a Labour stronghold.
Vote:February 11th, 2009 at 10:19 am
I struggle to see what has changed so dramatically since the election that would see Winston or anyone from NZ First elected into the seat. It is a what-if scenario that is so improbable it is not worth considering. Labour will not endorse NZF at their own expense and it is as silly as telling Labour supporters in Eden Epsom to vote for the Nats to mess up Rodneys party – it won’t happen.
Vote:February 11th, 2009 at 10:23 am
it would be funny to see him weasel his way back in
Vote:February 11th, 2009 at 10:26 am
If NZfirst did stand a candidate and won, would they not then get to count their party vote from the general election?
i don’t know the rules, but they did get 3% or so, when does it run out or stop counting?
how weird would that be, get 1 NZfirst on electorate vote at a by election and 2-3 more of the sods come as well!
AL
[DPF: No it does not affect the list allocation.]
Vote:February 11th, 2009 at 10:29 am
Mr Peters should share the leadership of NZ First
Tui alert.
Vote:February 11th, 2009 at 10:34 am
“One thing they better not count on is another hundred grand from Owen Glenn.”
Correction- Owen Glenn/ Helen Klark
Vote:February 11th, 2009 at 10:37 am
Anyway, they did nothing but suck commie dick for three terms anyway.. scum should crawl back into the woodwork they came out of..
Vote:February 11th, 2009 at 10:47 am
DPF:
“….I’m wondering though if “capo” may not be a better term ….”
Luigi Da Capo……..I love it……!
Vote:February 11th, 2009 at 10:57 am
The Mt Albert folk have been stupid enough to vote for the most corrupt and self serving PM the country has ever seen. My fear is that they will see Winston as a chance to get possibly the second most useless MP ever to be elected in parliament.
Vote:February 11th, 2009 at 11:01 am
Hmmmmmmmmmmmm
Peters … Hunua then Tauranga now Mt Albert?
Mark … Waimakarari then Rumataka now Mt Albert?
Spot the difference
Still, as Labour Party lackies they should do well in Mt Albert and split the vote allowing ………….. ?
Vote:February 11th, 2009 at 11:06 am
Although Ron Mark failed in Rimutaka last year, he’s clearly got great potential for NZ First. I was interested to read during the election, this commentary by Alliance Dunedin North candidate Victor Billot who had some very complementary things to say about Mark’s performance in a Dunedin candidates forum:
Ron Mark (New Zealand First)
I have never rated any NZ First MPs before, but I was impressed by Ron Mark on technical grounds. He spoke well and had a good manner. My point of amazement is how adaptable NZ First are to the political terrain. Tonight Ron spoke like a true leftist. The usual rhetoric about crims, Asian invasion, Treaty of Waitangi and the like had evaporated and Ron was taking a basically Marxist line, railing against global capitalism. He spent most of the night attacking the National Party (winning on points against M. Woodhouse) and ACT (no contest.)… A fascinating study in political adaptability from NZ First.
Rating: A+ for survival instinct, D- for past record, principles and sincerity
http://dunedinelection2008.wordpress.com/2008/10/14/maximed-out/
Bryce
Vote:http://www.liberation.org.nz
February 11th, 2009 at 11:16 am
Shouldn’t that be “Crapo di tutti Crapi”
Vote:February 11th, 2009 at 11:52 am
“Capo” is perfect.
From Wikipedia…..
“A caporegime or capodecina, usually shortened to just a capo is a term used in the Mafia for a high ranking made member of a crime family who heads a “crew” of soldiers and has major social status and influence in the organization. Caporegime is an Italian word, which was originally used to signify the head of a family in Sicily, but has now come to mean a ranking member, similar to captain or sergeant. In general, the term indicates the head of a branch of an organized crime syndicate who commands a crew of soldiers and reports directly to a boss or an underboss.
Mafia, particularly the Italian-American mafia, is essentially and technically divided into almost distinct and partially independent “crews” headed by a “capo” or leader of the individuals, and those in the crew report to the capo and collect money for the capo, and the capo gives the share of the profit to the people in the higher up like the underboss and/or the boss to keep the mafia organization in regular intervals. The profit sharing of the crews to the boss is used for protection by the boss for the crew if the crew needs help and mutual interest. Accurate estimates of the income of an average capo vary greatly and are difficult to quantify. Its always in a state of flux, depending on the success and size of his crew depending on the time.”
Perhaps David you can post this organisational chart http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Mafia_family_structure_tree.en.svg and we can help fill in the gaps…should be full of Velas, Simunovichs etc
Vote:February 11th, 2009 at 12:24 pm
If NZ First contests the seat they have to go with Ron Mark as there would be less potential to be seen as a carpet bagger than if Winston contested it (as he made another run at Tauranga so appears to be loyal to that electorate). But I trust Winston would have the political skills to contest it if he so wished.
NZ First has regulary contested by elections. For a small party (especially one now outside Parliament) the public don’t mind people contesting byelections in far flung electorates e.g. Owen Jennings in King Country did quite well as have other byelection candidates around the country…
Grendel I would expect that if NZ First did win the byelection that they wouldn’t get the 3% counted as the writ for Parliament (totals included) have already been signed off for the last election, everytime there is a byelection they don’t change the make up of the list seats in this way.
NZ First needs a clean slate so I expect they will contest the byelection with a candidate and Winston to potentially stay on as leader outside of Parliament (if their candidate got in) and make another run for Parliament (if he decides not to retire). They didn’t make it back on 08 so next time the slate will be cleaned, NZ First electorally goes around in cycles of support 96 was big, 99 barely survived, 02 did well, 05 less well but well with coalition, 08 disaster electorally so if they can retain the elements that gave them appeal then they will do ok next time around (but 5% will be a hurdle still).
Cheers
Vote:February 11th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
DPF: “I find it amusing the Party President can not be sure if they have an electorate organisation or not!”
Smarty. I’m sure NZF is a vast and multi-faceted organisation these days. You can’t expect one man to know where all the money goes (or indeed, where it all comes from!)
Vote:February 11th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
The thought of either Tizzard/Mark/Peters in Parliament gives me the willies so lets hope John gives Helen enough support for the UN but not enough to get the job so she can then remain in the house as a bitter twisted” billious bitch”.
Vote:February 11th, 2009 at 2:43 pm
Could be a very good opportunity for a smart switched on Independent!
Vote:February 11th, 2009 at 3:41 pm
Surely the people of Mt Albert would want someone who wants to represent the interests of Mt Albert, not someone who wants to use Mt Albert in the interests of themself and their party?
Vote:February 11th, 2009 at 4:06 pm
Oh come on, anyone trying to get in on NZfst ticket would have more luck at pushing shit up hill with a sharp stick. Who in their right mind would give these clowns cash to contend for the seat, you would have to have rocks in your head.
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