National candidate shoots from the hip

A 42-year-old former policeman, whose work experience includes hostage negotiations, confrontations with the Mongrel Mob and protecting diplomats and officials in Iraq should bring a no nonsense approach to his new role as National candidate for Rodney.

Mark Mitchell, who was brought up on the North Shore, has lived for most of the past decade in Kuwait, where he was chief security officer for Agility Logistics.

He spent 14 years in the police, serving in Auckland, Rotorua, Gisborne and Taupo, leaving in 2003 after a number of injuries to pursue other interests.

Since that time he has worked in security roles in the Middle East and became a successful businessman – as chief executive, he grew international security company Threat Management Group into a multi-million dollar enterprise from scratch.

His political pedigree includes the fact that Frank Gill, a cabinet minister in Rob Muldoon’s government, was his grandfather. His father, Larry Mitchell of Puhoi, is a former mayoral candidate and finance and policy consultant to local government.

Mark, who is engaged to Peggy Bourne, widow of rally ace Possum Bourne, says the time was right to return to NZ and throw his hat into the political ring.

His priorities include growing the economy through increased exports, supporting critical infrastructure projects and strong support for police.