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An election that New Zealand First MP Tracey Martin described as “one like no other” has seen four candidates from Rodney enter Parliament.
National MP Mark Mitchell returned for a third term with 24,905 votes or 64 per cent of the total votes.
“At an election, people send you a message about your work, so I’m very proud of the result,” Mr Mitchell says.
He says his priority is to deliver Hill Street and Penlink, and he is looking forward to Warkworth Police Station going 24/7 next year.
After being Minister of Defence and Land Information and Associate Minister for Justice, he says.
“I have enjoyed my portfolios and have been heavily immersed in defence with what’s currently going on around the world.”
Despite failing to win a seat in Tamaki, Matakana resident Jenny Marcroft is in Parliament for the first time as the ninth and final seat on the NZ First list.
“It was nerve-racking watching the results,” Ms Marcroft says.
Ms Marcroft has lived around Matakana for 14 years and has a daughter who attends Mahurangi College. She has been a newsreader on both TV3 and Radio Live.
“Having spent 30 years in the media, this campaign was a big career change for me,” she says. “As a Parliamentarian, I want to focus on developing education and broadcasting.”
Despite the fact that the final results, after special votes are counted, won’t be announced until October 7 at 2pm, she believes mathematically she cannot lose her seat.
A mentor for Jenny is NZ First MP Tracey Martin, who retained her seat in Parliament for the second time through the party vote.
“This election drove people back to their first-past-the-post habits and decimated some smaller parties so we’re pleased to still be here,” Mrs Martin says.
She is keen to address education and gender pay issues, as well as Hill Street and access to medical care in Rodney.
Marja Lubeck is the fourth MP from Rodney and she is believed to be the first ever Labour candidate from the electorate to enter Parliament.
Ms Lubeck polled 7227 votes, but at 32 on her party list, gained one of Labour’s 45 seats.
“I never thought I would make it into Parliament on the party vote, but Jacinda came in and really turned things around,” Ms Lubeck says.
“Having four MPs from Rodney is a fabulous opportunity to push local issues with the voice we have.”
Her priorities are mental health, emergency care, Hill Street and Penlink, with clean waterways and housing affordability also on her agenda.
