Q&A with Grant McCallum – National Candidate

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I’m a Northlander, farmer and father of Eve and Jeremy, and for the past three years I’ve had the privilege of serving as the MP for Northland. 

I grew up with strong ties to rural Northland and, after completing a Bachelor of Commerce Agriculture at Lincoln University, returned to our family farm at Maungaturoto. I’ve farmed dairy and beef there since 1995, so I understand first-hand both the opportunities we have in Northland and some of the challenges that come with living and doing business in a large rural electorate. 

Before entering Parliament, I was heavily involved in our community and agricultural sector. I served as vice president of Northern Federated Farmers, chaired the Kauri Museum board at Matakohe and the Otamatea High School board of trustees, and have been involved in local rugby and bowls clubs as a coach and in governance roles. 

Those experiences have shaped how I approach being an MP. I believe strongly in people getting involved, contributing to their communities and leaving things better than they found them. 

Outside politics, farming remains a big part of my life. I enjoy sport, particularly rugby and bowls, and spending time with family and friends. I’m also passionate about protecting Northland’s environment while ensuring our farmers, fishers and other primary producers can continue earning a living from it. 

Northland is home. Representing its people in Parliament has been an enormous privilege, and I’m seeking re-election because there is considerably more I want to get done for our region. 

How well do you know the Northland electorate?

I’ve lived, worked and farmed in Northland for most of my life and have been involved with community organisations across the region for decades. As an MP, I’ve travelled extensively around the electorate, averaging about 45,000km per year meeting businesses, farmers, schools, community organisations, health providers and constituents.

What matters in Mangawhai can be quite different from what matters in Kerikeri, Dargaville, Kaikohe, Kaitāia or our smaller rural communities. The job is to understand those differences while making sure Northland speaks with a strong voice in Wellington.

Why are you standing?

I’m seeking re-election because I want to keep delivering for Northland. Over the past three years I’ve worked hard to make sure Northland is heard around the Cabinet table and across government.

Which of your party’s policies resonates with you the most?

First is infrastructure, particularly improving Northland’s transport connections. Reliable, resilient roads are fundamental to our economy and our communities. The National-led Government’s Roads of National Significance programme demonstrates this, as shown by the $3.6 billion investment in the Warkworth to Te Hana section of the Northland expressway.

Second is strengthening our rural and productive economy. Farming, forestry, fishing and horticulture are enormously important to Northland. I support practical regulation that protects our environment while allowing the people who produce our food and exports to get on with their jobs.

Third is education. The focus on teaching the basics brilliantly, namely reading, writing and maths, is one of the most important policies this Government has introduced.

If elected, what can Northland voters expect from you as their local MP?

They can expect me to continue being visible, accessible and prepared to fight Northland’s corner. That means getting around the electorate, listening to communities and taking their concerns directly to Wellington.

Is there one thing you would like to achieve for this electorate at the end of your next term?

With New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland, on our doorstep, we need to encourage more visitors from Auckland, New Zealand and overseas. It will require the Northland region to work together to achieve this. If I am successful, growing the Northland tourism sector will be a key focus.

What would you do to ensure growing communities like Mangawhai receive the roads, health services, schools and other infrastructure they need?

Central and local government need to plan together using realistic population projections and have a clear pipeline for roads, schools, healthcare and other essential infrastructure. As the local MP, my role is to make sure Wellington understands the pace of growth occurring in communities like Mangawhai and that Northland receives its fair share of investment. As an example, I have lobbied the Ministry of Education, which is now preparing a plan for the future of education in Mangawhai.

What should government do to make it easier for young people to find jobs, apprenticeships and affordable housing locally?

The National-led Government has invested $35 million into rebuilding NorthTec in Whangārei. We need strong vocational education and clearer pathways from school into trades, apprenticeships and industries where Northland needs workers.

We have replaced the Resource Management Act with new planning legislation designed to make it easier to build the homes and infrastructure Northland needs, with less red tape and bureaucracy.

For first-home buyers, we have increased the household income threshold for the five per cent deposit first-home buyer scheme from $150,000 to $300,000.

Issues ranked in terms of priority
(From most important to least important)  

• Cost of living/ financial management
• Education                                                     
• Health
• Crime and policing
• Environment
• Climate change
• Biosecurity
• Arts, culture and heritage
• Rural production
• Defence