Full Transcript for Wellington Election Wrap: Nick Mills speaks with local candidates

always waiting for that 100% of all the booths to come in and that didn't happen until, it was close to midnight, I think, by the time that happened. 00:05:33 Speaker 2: Were you keeping an eye on the booths to work out what booths, you know, because obviously Wainui was going to be a stronghold for you. 00:05:39 Speaker 4: Well, it's really hard to tell now because of all the early votes down the first two weeks. You can't quite tell where they're coming from. And also, Queensgate's a big booth, and then Wainui. 00:05:50 Speaker 6: Usually favours Labour as well. 00:05:52 Speaker 4: So we were really struggling to try and decipher what was what when. 00:05:55 Speaker 6: It was coming in. 00:05:56 Speaker 4: But when all that booth data's made public, that's quite useful to look through and see how people voted. 00:06:01 Speaker 2: Well done. I mean, think of it like a sporting game. It's better to be 5-0 up with Three minutes to go, then five nil down with three minutes to go, isn't it? 00:06:11 Speaker 4: Yes, and if I could, Nick, I'd just like to say a special thank you to all the people that not only voted for me in Labour, but also have reached out and given me lovely messages over the last day or so. I've been overwhelmed by messages of support from people right across the community, and I'd just like to say thank you very much for giving those nice messages. 00:06:32 Speaker 6: It's meant a lot to me. 00:06:34 Speaker 2: And I'd also like to say thanks for all the times that you've come on the show. You've always made yourself available. We've had butted heads a number of times. You've never taken it personally. You've always been a good person to deal with. So congratulations on my behalf. 00:06:50 Speaker 4: Thank you very much, Nick. 00:06:51 Speaker 6: It's always a pleasure to come on. 00:06:53 Speaker 2: Let's go to Wellington Bay. Labour's Craig Rennie leads the Greens' Julianne Genter by just 140 votes ahead of the special vote counts. Julianne Genter joins us now. Good morning, Julianne. 00:07:05 Speaker 6: Good morning. Why? 00:07:07 Speaker 2: Why has there been a shift? 00:07:12 Speaker 8: Well, the boundaries changed, and so it's not exactly the same. I think both Craig and I got very strong votes. 00:07:22 Speaker 3: But it is. 00:07:23 Speaker 8: Yeah, obviously it was when I was ahead, it was closer than I would like. And now I'm slightly behind. So we'll have to wait for the final results on the 27th of November to know what the outcome is. 00:07:33 Speaker 2: I've just been speaking to Ginny Anderson and I asked her the level of special votes. Do you know what the level of special votes are out in Wellington Bayes? 00:07:43 Speaker 8: I actually don't know. I think that's going to be available today from the Electoral Commission. But yeah, I'm not aware of what it is. 00:07:53 Speaker 2: Was there much of a swing last time? 00:07:56 Speaker 8: Last time, my majority increased from 800 votes to 2,700 on the specials. 00:08:00 Speaker 6: Wow. 00:08:00 Speaker 8: Yeah, I'd say it could still flip the other way on. 00:08:04 Speaker 2: The special vote. 00:08:04 Speaker 8: But who knows? 00:08:12 Speaker 2: Yeah, I generally think this is one of the stories of the campaign. I think it could definitely flip. So are you optimistic? 00:08:22 Speaker 8: I'm trying to stay open-minded. You know, it doesn't pay to get your hopes up. Look, we won't know until we know. 00:08:31 Speaker 2: The end of the day, though, you don't lose your job. You still go to work on Monday morning, don't you? So it doesn't make any difference really to you, whereas with Craig, he's back looking for a job. 00:08:40 Speaker 8: It does make a huge difference to some of my wonderful staff who work out of the electorate office. If I'm not re-elected as the MP, they will lose their jobs. And it is quite a different job than being a list MP. So it will make a difference to my day-to-day. But it's mainly for our team who've worked so hard over the last three years to serve the electorate. It's really them that I'm most concerned about. 00:09:10 Speaker 2: Yeah, rightly so. I mean, do you think you did enough? 00:09:14 Speaker 8: I think we did. We ran the biggest ground campaign we've ever run. And at the same time, we were working right up until the last minute. So, for example, we got a wonderful win with our Newtown Community Stakeholders Group, which we have been convening to deal with increased antisocial behavior and a feeling of concern around safety in Newtown. So I've been in my office have been convening the stakeholders group with the Salvation Army, the police, other social service providers, Residents Association, Business Association, Newtown New World. And we went and presented to the Wellington City Council long-term plan and we had a really successful presentation and basically unanimous vote for the option that we were asking for increased funding for a expanding the city safety teamwork and CCTV into Newtown. We did that on Thursday before the election and we distributed an awesome flyer to all the businesses and residents in Newtown to help them know who to call when they have issues. 00:10:23 Speaker 2: What were the people telling you when you went door knocking and went to these meetings and stuff. Did you feel that there was a move? 00:10:32 Speaker 8: No, I felt really, really strong support. And I think, you know, that is held up with the, you know, over 15,000 votes. It is a very strong vote. But I also heard from some people that they thought they could get both Craig and I by voting for Craig. So it's not that it was a vote against me. I'm sure for some people it was, but for some people it was a vote for both of us. And I think Craig's team very successfully underplayed the difference that it would make to me and my electorate team. They said, oh, Julianne will get in anyway on the list. So if you want Craig in there, you have to vote for him as your electorate MP.

That seemed to be a very successful message. 00:11:14 Speaker 2: Can I ask you whether you thought Moa Point played any part in it at all? I know that you're going to probably kick back at me on this, but I'm going to ask it anyway. 00:11:25 Speaker 8: I mean, I don't know. That's not what I heard. No, it's yeah. I mean, if you look at where the votes went, like the votes for national decreased and especially. 00:11:38 Speaker 5: Yeah. 00:11:40 Speaker 8: Overall, the overwhelming party vote was going to labor the Greens and opportunity. We also the other thing I think, Nick, is that the opportunity didn't stand a candidate in wrongish high last time. And this time their candidate got about 2,000 votes. So that also probably made it closer for Craig and I. 00:12:02 Speaker 2: Right. I mean, if you were looking at that rationale, you would not be saying the same about Tamitha Paul's big win, though, would you? 00:12:11 Speaker 8: Well, Tamitha is a superstar. Hey, I mean, she's obviously a very talented and potential future political leader here in Aotearoa. And she's got a huge following on social media. And she's done really well. 00:12:28 Speaker 2: Just wishing you all the best. Thanks for coming on the show. I appreciate it. I appreciate that you always make yourself available. And good luck. I mean, perfect world, isn't it? I mean, if you don't necessarily win, but you still got your job. 00:12:43 Speaker 6: Yeah. 00:12:43 Speaker 8: Thanks, Nick. 00:12:44 Speaker 2: All right. Julianne Genter there. 00:12:46 Speaker 5: Bye. 00:12:47 Speaker 2: See you. Julianne Genter there from Wellington Bays. Good morning, Tamatha Paul. 00:12:53 Speaker 6: Good morning, Nick. How's it going? 00:12:55 Speaker 2: Going fantastic, but I don't think I'm going anywhere near as well as you. I heard big party Saturday night, great result. Congratulations. 00:13:03 Speaker 6: Thank you very much. I appreciate it. 00:13:05 Speaker 2: How was the party? 00:13:07 Speaker 9: Oh, yeah, it was good. Yeah, it was good until about 10 o'clock, and then I jumped onto the league and started watching it. 00:13:16 Speaker 2: What's your biggest takeaway? It was great. What's your biggest takeaway from Saturday's result? 00:13:22 Speaker 9: Oh, I mean, in terms of Wellington, just gratitude. But in terms of the overall result, it's really hard to make any kind of conclusions, I think, at this point. 00:13:37 Speaker 5: So I think it's going to be. 00:13:39 Speaker 9: A long, a long few weeks and maybe even a few, maybe even more than a month until we really know what's going on. Because obviously the makeup of the government is really, could be really good or really bad for Wellington. So just waiting for that outcome to see, to see where our, where our ducks land there. 00:14:02 Speaker 2: Are you optimistic that you may be able to form a government? 00:14:08 Speaker 9: Well, nobody knows. 00:14:09 Speaker 5: Nobody has a clue. So I can't really like. 00:14:12 Speaker 2: No,

I'm just saying, are you optimistic? Are you thinking, gosh, this could be a good chance? 00:14:19 Speaker 9: Well, not really, because I know about as much as anybody else. So it's, you know, and it's all an opportunity party really, right? So I, you know, when it's a middle of the fence party, you can't really feel any certain type of way because you're not really sure really where they're, or what they're really committed. 00:14:39 Speaker 6: To and where that lies. 00:14:40 Speaker 9: So, I mean, I don't feel optimistic, but I do feel that there's a sense of responsibility to just keep going, no matter who the government is. At the end of the day, I've got to kind of keep the hope and keep the spirit going for Wellington, regardless of who the government is. So I'm just kind of focusing on that for the next couple of weeks and getting to know the new suburbs a bit better. 00:15:03 Speaker 2: You were up against a formidable... opposition with Aisha Verrill. Were you surprised by your convincing one? 00:15:10 Speaker 9: No, not really, because, like, yes, I also have a lot of respect for Aisha, but serving in politics is one thing and working in the Beehive is one thing, but actually representative politics where you're meeting with people all across the spectrum and helping people with complex issues and getting down in the grit and all of that, this is my fourth campaign, whereas that was her first campaign. And I think when you're a politician who's only kind of been on the list and has worked in Parliament for most of your political career and you don't have to do the kind of representative thing, it's just a different ballgame. It's a totally different ballgame. And I mean, I know you've got your opinions on me, Nick, but I know what people come up and say to me and I know that the community actually does really value my voice and what they say to me. And I know what problems I help people to solve behind the scenes and I don't go bragging about it. So that's why even though people doubted me, didn't give me airtime and didn't give me the time of day, I know what people say to me. And that's why I didn't feel unconfident at any point during that campaign. 00:16:25 Speaker 2: Can I just say, I take it, personally, that you think I've got this somewhat dull opinion of you or some opinion of you. I have always given you any airtime... that I've ever, ever, you've ever liked. 00:16:39 Speaker 9: Oh, not just you, Nick, not just you, don't worry. It's just, just in general, I think people aren't really interested in what the opposition had to say over the last three years. 00:16:47 Speaker 2: Okay, I'll tell you what they are interested in, what you can do for Wellington. We are in a, in a tight spot at the moment as a city. You have now been voted in to represent us or Wellington North, which is, you know, the CBD, a big part of the city. What are you going to do to change things? 00:17:06 Speaker 9: Well, the first thing that I'm committed to doing is trying my best to reverse the public service job cuts. Whether that's in government, obviously that's going to be a lot easier to do. But if it's in opposition, then I'm going to have to get creative with it. And if that means meeting with the new public service minister, bringing public servants to meet with them, to their face so they can hear about the impact that it's been having, bringing business owners, bringing... cleaners and taxi drivers and bus drivers and the people that uphold the city to let them know the impact that the cuts have had on our city and using data to show the economic impact that the public service job cuts have had on our city, which is a $ 1 billion plus loss, is the immediate priority for me. But also, if we're in government, there's a lot more tools. So some of the things we've promised is restoring science funding and innovation funding to the city. 00:17:56 Speaker 6: So. 00:17:58 Speaker 9: There's lots of different bits and pieces that either I'll be doing in government or that I'll be advocating for in opposition. But I think for the next few weeks while we wait, my priority is getting out to the new suburbs, Ngaio, Kandala, Crofton Downs, and getting a better understanding of them, visiting the schools, meeting with all the different community groups there. I mean, I've done a bit of that in the campaign, but, you know, just have a bit of a deeper dive in a bit more of a more genuine meeting now that I'm not campaigning and they understand that I'm not just there because I want their votes, that I'm there because I care about them. So that's what I'll be doing over the next three weeks at least. 00:18:38 Speaker 2: How much better will you be as a local MP in the second term? You've had some time to get your feet under the desk. You've got more confident. And the second part of that question, how much tougher will it be in opposition than in government? 00:18:54 Speaker 9: Yeah, I mean, that's why I'm kind of not, you know, I think you can tell I'm not jumping with joy this morning because, you know, kind of staring down the barrel of the gun of another government. But at the same time, I wonder if maybe the coalition parties have learnt lessons from the last three years. You know, that last Saturday night was one of their worst results ever. And so I'm hoping that I can maybe reach out and say, hey, I'm still willing to work I didn't advocate for my people if you are, you know, I was able to collaborate with them on some issues in past terms. But I think I'm going to be hoping to work with them for some wins if I can. But ultimately, being in government is the best and strongest outcome for the city. And whether that's on all the job cuts, as I talked about before, but also things like housing and transport are really crucial as well. 00:19:46 Speaker 2: If you are in opposition, will you be prepared to sort of really get your teeth into it and work with the government and try and get some good

results for Wellington? 00:19:55 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean, I. 00:19:56 Speaker 9: always do try. I mean, like I had a I had a professional relationship with people like Chris Bishop and I met with him on issues like public housing and zoning and infrastructure and transport. Chris Pink as well on issues around earthquake prone buildings. So I always, you know, I think people have an external view of me being quite a scrapper, but I still do do the work in terms of meeting with the ministers and advocating, writing letters and getting briefings from them. And I'll continue to do that. And I guess I would just hope that this term maybe they've learnt that it's not just going in full throttle and bashing Wellington doesn't really work out well for them or necessarily bashing the public service or, I guess, diminishing the environment in some of those decisions. So, yeah, no, I'm always going to be pragmatic and try and meet with people to make sure that they know that voice because I know that if I'm making these big speeches and organising campaigns, if I haven't been doing the work behind the scenes, they're going to call me out on that, so... I'm absolutely committed to that, but I guess I'm just crossing my fingers that I will not have to advocate so hard and that we'll have a government that values our city and wants to see us spring. 00:21:09 Speaker 3: Back to life. 00:21:11 Speaker 2: Tamatha, congratulations. Well done. Job extremely well done. Always welcome on the show, whatever politics gets in the way. Tamatha Paul, Tim Costley, Kapiti, good morning. 00:21:26 Speaker 6: Good morning, Nick. Great to be with you. 00:21:28 Speaker 2: How are. 00:21:31 Speaker 6: You feeling? I'm feeling good, if I'm honest. 00:21:33 Speaker 5: I got out for a run this morning and now getting stuck into things and obviously at a very micro level happy to have held or taken the seat of Kapiti. But obviously mixed emotions when you look around the country and see the people we're losing at the same time, that's pretty tough. 00:21:50 Speaker 2: I mean, that's the question, isn't it? I mean, you're feeling good, but Nationals taking a significant hit. I mean, how do you celebrate your own personal victory when It's been such a difficult election. 00:22:03 Speaker 5: Yeah, well, I mean, ultimately, you acknowledge it, you're grateful for it, and I'm certainly grateful for the support. And I've spent a lot of the last 24 hours just thanking people because it is important to acknowledge that the effort that people put in to help, but also the support that just, you know, average mum and dad in the community gave me and trusted me with their vote. So I do think that's important. But, you know, tomorrow as we regroup as a caucus in Wellington, that's the time to firstly acknowledge and farewell those that are leaving. And then we have to, we can't dwell on ourself too long because this isn't about us. It's about the job that we've got to keep delivering for the country. And that's where I'm sure the focus of the team will be, albeit with mixed emotions and disappointment that we don't have a couple of, you know, people that we'd like to have in our team still. 00:22:47 Speaker 2: With this hold on sort of government till everything's finalised, do the incumbents stay in place? Do Chris Bishop and Nicola Willis stay there? 00:22:57 Speaker 5: Yeah, legally, yes, that's how it works. You have a sort of a caretaker government. Everyone sort of holds in position until the special votes are counted because nothing's confirmed. Then a new government has to be formed, which I'm still hopeful, pretty hopeful will be led by National. Once they're sworn in, we will get sworn in as MP. I'll change from MP for Ōtaki to MP for Kapiti and some ministers will obviously change around and then the new team take over. And from that point, our focus has to be 100% on the future. 00:23:26 Speaker 6: Not the past. 00:23:28 Speaker 2: Have you spoken to Christopher Luxon since the election? 00:23:32 Speaker 1: No. 00:23:33 Speaker 5: Look, we text each other a little bit on Saturday night while the results were coming in, but no, I haven't. And frankly, I think he's got more important things to be doing right now than worrying about me. I've got this area under control. We'll keep cracking on and I'll catch up with him either tonight or tomorrow morning. 00:23:49 Speaker 2: What were the people telling you, you know, when you were doing the campaigning? Did you feel that there was a little bit of anti-national coalition when you were door knocking? I watched you on TV last night celebrating some runners and there was a little bit of negativity in some of the runners, wasn't there? 00:24:11 Speaker 6: Well, not very much. I mean, it was people were supportive. 00:24:13 Speaker 5: I think the general feedback was people are just grateful that, you know, 8am in the morning after the election, my focus is back on our community where it should be, not on myself. And that's the vibe I got throughout the election. Overall, it's just people really appreciative of the work I've done, the way I've approached the job. People were grateful for the positive changes our government had made. But as you say, it was a messy one. Like, we can't deny that. There was some grumpiness out there because I think we've been through three really tough years. Well, I'd say four or five. But, you know, since that reduced the inflation and interest rates. So there's grumpiness. And it was a strange one because I tell you what, Nick, if you walk down the street, it felt positive. It felt like 2023. But the polls looked, well, on the national side, they looked like 2020. But with legislation, They were doing equally badly. It was really weird because what you felt in the community, what I heard on the doorstep, didn't match the polls. So I knew it was going to be a split result around the country in terms of how individuals went, who seem to be broadly

really popular in their regions and people are happy with what the government is doing, but people just... I don't know, they wanted to shift it. They didn't see a future government in Labour. They weren't going there. But at the same time, you know, they were voting for some people, bought into this split vote strategy, thinking that would help us. Other people wanted to take a gamble on top. Look, this is what we've got now, right? And I can argue the rights and wrongs and why National's better, but ultimately, actually, the public have dealt Parliament the hand. We now have to form a government and get on with focusing on the people that sent us there and delivering positive outcomes for families around the country. 00:25:46 Speaker 2: Were you surprised how well Sophie did? 00:25:50 Speaker 5: No, I was really grateful for how well I did. I mean, the new company seat is half of Ōtaki, which is a swing seat. And I was confident I'd sort of win that half, which I did, even places like Ōtaki. But the other half was mana. That was Barbara Edmonds' seat. It has been Labour for 30 years. They have not known most people that live there and elected national MP. It's never been done under MMP. And so I knew that was going to be a huge challenge. And I was actually quietly... quietly a little bit grateful for the support that came from areas that I wasn't sure where it would come. 00:26:24 Speaker 6: I think it's an area that's been misunderstood. 00:26:27 Speaker 5: And left out frankly by MPs because it's always just been so strong. Maybe people haven't paid it attention but I've tried to and I'm really encouraged by what the next three years potentially brings. 00:26:38 Speaker 2: You're a young sort of up and coming star of National. Is a couple of Cabinet Ministers not going to be there? Do you think that you'll get into Cabinet? 00:26:51 Speaker 6: No, and look, that's not really where my focus is right now. 00:26:55 Speaker 5: I've just picked up half of a brand new electorate that I need to focus on getting to know more and getting known more and getting established in. And the PM in June, of course, who I'm confident will still be Christopher Luxon, for the record. 00:27:11 Speaker 5: Because I believe it will be a national government, he needs to pick the team. 00:27:15 Speaker 6: And there are, as you say, a few variables. 00:27:18 Speaker 5: But anyone that's thinking about that at the moment has probably got their head in the wrong space. 00:27:22 Speaker 2: Oh, yeah. But, you know, I know you're a pretty ambitious guy. I've got to know you a bit. You've been on the show plenty and plenty of times. I know that you're not sitting there trying to bloody pick up some rubbish bins around Kapiti. You want something bigger than that. And, you know, almost perfect stereotype for Defence Minister of their... if there's a bit of a change around? I mean, come on. 00:27:44 Speaker 5: Oh, yeah, but look, I think that's getting ahead of yourself. Look,

one day I do want to have a role. I want to be able to shape things, not just in our community, but around the country. But for the record, even on that day, I'll still be picking up a few rubbish bins around Kapiti. I'm not going to, you know, I'm not, Kapiti isn't a stepping stone to something good for me. It's trying to do something good for our whole region, and that does involve Kapiti. are ultimately the direction the country's going. And I care about that. That's what motivated me to get into politics. I've always said it's about the direction of our community and our country. And so, yes, when the time is right, I want to do that. But I'm not trying to push myself in the door and walk over people. You know, there's just such a rush these days that people have to be the youngestest or the first to do that. 00:28:25 Speaker 6: You know, look at Jim Bolger. He'd been in Parliament 18. 00:28:27 Speaker 5: Years before he became the Prime Minister. 00:28:30 Speaker 6: And I think was far better off for that. 00:28:32 Speaker 5: And some of the ministers I've seen that have got huge experience, it really shows. 00:28:37 Speaker 6: And so I don't. 00:28:39 Speaker 5: Know that we need to be in a rush to be the first or the youngest. I'm really glad I had, you know, 23 years in the military and another three or four at university first before I came to politics, because I really do think it grounds you, and you just pick up all those other life experiences along the way. 00:28:54 Speaker 2: To be fair, you know, being... In the services and represented New Zealand internationally with that. Tim, if you've just joined the show, we're talking to Tim Costley from Capita, who's just won. What do you think you're going to do about the airport, talking about flying helicopters around the world? 00:29:12 Speaker 5: Oh, well, look, do you want my crystal ball that I haven't said anywhere? I reckon on about Wednesday, now that the election's over, the current airport owners are going to come out and say it's closing at the end of the month. I think it's going to be that brutal and that fast. And they own it. There is nothing anyone, nothing any government can do, nothing any council can do to stop that step from happening. We've known that and we've been pre-empting that for a long time. That's when the challenge starts, because the challenge is if they want to do anything else with that airport that they own, they have to get it rezoned. And that's a public discussion. That's the strength for our community. It's us saying and giving council the strength to hold the line because it's going to be a bit of a Mexican standoff here. And we're going to say, no, we're not going to let you change the zone of that from anything to an airport so that if they want to use it and if they want to make a dollar, they'll be doing that as an airport. 00:30:06 Speaker 2: But hold on, hold on. I'm just trying to get to the bottom of this because one minute you're just telling us that nothing can be done from Wednesday, you're crystal ball gazing, nothing is going to be, not going to be an airport anymore. Then suddenly you're saying, well, we can, we can, we can actually change it. 00:30:22 Speaker 6: Yeah, OK, good point. 00:30:23 Speaker 5: Let me explain this clearer. So it is privately owned, so they can choose to shut it. They can choose to say, we're not going to let an aeroplane land here. They have the right to do that. There have been brief moments over the last few years where they have done that. I just think they're about to do that permanently, which they can legally do. But it still remains in the airport. It's like saying, you know, at the moment, LINZ owned the train station at Ōtaki, right? They have shut the building and said people can't use it. but they can't turn it into a house or anything else because it's zoned as a railway station. It's the same here at the airport. They can stop a plane from landing. 00:31:01 Speaker 6: They can legally do that. 00:31:02 Speaker 5: They give up what's called their operating certificate to CAA, and they say, we're not going to allow planes to land. 00:31:07 Speaker 6: Because it's our land we're not going to let. 00:31:09 Speaker 5: You but what they can't do is then go and start building houses on it because it's not zoned for residential it's zoned only for an airport and to change that they have to put in a private plan change that means going to council and saying hey we want this land to no longer be designated an airport we want it to be designated houses that is the bit that our community can and i believe will oppose And if councils say, we agree, we're not going to zone it to anything other than an airport, we think an airport is the right answer, then the developers either need to run an airport or they need to sell it to someone that wants to. And there is at least one other willing buyer that is offering the same money, and it's from what I hear in the order of about $ 50 million, to buy that off them today and take it and run it as an airport, and everyone will be happy. and the current owners have already made plenty of money off it, they could just take that and run. 00:32:05 Speaker 2: It seems to have been a money trail for a lot of people. A lot of people have made a lot of money on that airport, so it seems to just carry on. It's the prize it keeps giving. If you're a local that wants the airport to stay, is there anything they can do? 00:32:18 Speaker 7: Yeah, well, they can sign the petition. There's a link on my Facebook. There's a link on my Instagram. They can sign that. We're building up that so that when the moment comes, when the moment. 00:32:28 Speaker 5: Will be when the current owners put in the private plan change. 00:32:33 Speaker 6: When they submit. 00:32:34 Speaker 5: That, we want to make sure we have thousands of local residents submitting in opposition, showing their support for keeping that land zoned as an

airport. So it is, look, it's going to be a little bit niggly. We all acknowledge that now. We're expecting that. We're not going to be surprised when they come out, I think, this week and say, you know, you've got a month to go and then we shut it. How do you think the council is going to react to it? 00:33:01 Speaker 7: Well, the council have said the right things. 00:33:03 Speaker 5: Council say they see the value in the airport. They're also saying that they need to let the legal process run. If someone puts in a zone change, it has to follow the correct process so it can't be challenged. But look, all but one or two of the councillors I know are in support of keeping the airport, that would be the right decision. There's a bit more support on council than there was a couple. 00:33:25 Speaker 6: Of years ago. 00:33:25 Speaker 5: Certainly from what the mayor and others I've spoken to say, that's encouraging. But, you know, it's going to get... The niggly bit is when you're sitting there and you're looking at a vacant bit of land that isn't currently being used as an airport and isn't currently being used as houses, and the developers. 00:33:42 Speaker 6: Will put pressure on and say, look... There's money in. 00:33:45 Speaker 5: It for you. If you have housing, you'll be getting rates. Actually, we just need to hold tight as a community. We can win this. We've seen that with other situations around the country. We just need to hold our shape. 00:33:56 Speaker 6: We're going to be okay. 00:33:58 Speaker 2: As it looks right now, you are going to be the only right-wing politician from the Wellington region, if you take Waiarapa out of it, just from Wellington to Kapiti. It's a bit of responsibility there now for you. 00:34:11 Speaker 3: Isn't it? 00:34:13 Speaker 5: Yeah, that will be, that is a change and it's a really sad one because it's my mates, you know, Bush and Nicola that aren't there and they did a remarkable job. And I don't think people maybe saw how hard they worked, not just in their own electorates and. 00:34:28 Speaker 6: Their ministerial portfolios, but. 00:34:31 Speaker 5: you know, how, you know, take a look, but she's at the local market on a Saturday and there's shorts and t-shirts. 00:34:36 Speaker 6: He's doing the park run. 00:34:38 Speaker 5: He's, uh, he's out knocking on doors in the afternoon and then he's in a suit and tie representing, uh, the government and the national party at an event that night. And that would happen for him 364 days of the year, I reckon. 00:34:50 Speaker 6: And it's absolutely incredible to watch. 00:34:51 Speaker 5: So it's, it's a little bit daunting in some ways to think if I'm, if I'm going to have to step into some of the gap that you, you take what he did plus what Nicola did. It's, It's enormous, but it's really important because actually this region is really important to New Zealand and the things that the national government have and I believe will continue to do for this region are really important. We want to keep a new emergency department in Wellington. 00:35:14 Speaker 6: Hospital really important. 00:35:15 Speaker 5: So we've got to maintain our presence and I'm happy to play my part in that. 00:35:20 Speaker 2: Do you think that Wellington is important to national? 00:35:24 Speaker 6: Yes, absolutely. 00:35:25 Speaker 2: Doesn't feel like it. 00:35:26 Speaker 6: Absolutely. 00:35:26 Speaker 2: Doesn't feel like it. Tim Costley, the responsibility is now firmly on your shoulders. Thank you very much. 00:35:32 Speaker 6: For joining us. You can't end with a little, it doesn't feel like it, and then end the show. Come on. Well, it doesn't feel like it. 00:35:38 Speaker 2: I mean, you've got to be honest. It doesn't feel like it. 00:35:42 Speaker 5: Oh, look, clearly National doesn't get a lot of its votes there. And I think, therefore, if you're hearing from people that vote for other parties, you might naturally hear that. It would be like saying you go to plenty of regions. 00:35:54 Speaker 6: Around New Zealand. 00:35:55 Speaker 5: If you look at the map, most of it's blue now where the seats are one. And they might say, oh, well, the other parties don't care about us. I think parties do care. Maybe they're not popular. 00:36:04 Speaker 6: It's popular. But that doesn't mean people don't care. 00:36:06 Speaker 5: And I'm telling you, as someone that lives in the Greater Wellington region, we care, we're here, and I'm looking forward to three more years. 00:36:11 Speaker 2: That's what I'm saying. It's your responsibility. It's on your shoulders. Exactly what I said. You just had to have another sentence in there, didn't you? I've got to go to an ad break now. 00:36:18 Speaker 6: We're going to have a great three years, mate. 00:36:20 Speaker 2: I'm looking forward to that. You know what? 00:36:21 Speaker 6: Let's go. 00:36:22 Speaker 2: Just remember where you got your start with your media training and everything, because if you do become a minister, you'll probably end up ringing out and saying, oh, no, I don't want to do radio anymore. I'm too busy. Tim Costley, congratulations. Well done. Talk to you soon. 00:36:34 Speaker 6: Thank you. 00:36:35 Speaker 2: Mike Butterick in the wire app. Now, it's important that it hasn't yet to be confirmed as a winner because he leads Kieran McAnulty by a measly 139 votes for specials. Still outstanding. This has been one of the real exciting seats to and fro all night. I mean, one stage I saw Kieran had quite a big lead and boom, next thing Mike's back. Mike, good morning, Mike. 00:36:59 Speaker 3: Yeah, how are you, mate? 00:37:00 Speaker 6: You all right? 00:37:00 Speaker 2: Yeah, good. 139 votes. That's hardly a comfortable night's sleep on Saturday night, is it? 00:37:05 Speaker 6: Well, it's a Nats whisker, isn't it, Nick? 00:37:08 Speaker 2: Yeah. Did you sleep all right? 00:37:10 Speaker 6: Yeah, no, don't worry. I slept all right. 00:37:12 Speaker 3: But yeah,

honestly, the votes just up and down all night. And it's like the final vote result didn't come until about half past 12, I. 00:37:21 Speaker 6: Think, from memory. Gosh. 00:37:23 Speaker 2: You know, how confident are you you've got this done? 00:37:26 Speaker 3: Well, look, it is literally in the hands of the voters really now, Nick. I mean, we won the special votes last election, but it's a completely different election. So it's literally just hurry up and wait. 00:37:40 Speaker 2: You won by 2,816 votes in 2023. Now you're 139 ahead. What's changed? Have the voters turned against National or has Kieran McAnulty come out swinging? 00:37:49 Speaker 3: No, I think, look, we had Ron Mark come in, that Ron got about 3,500 votes. So, you know, it was always going to be close, Nick. So, but look, it is what it is. And we're just, we're literally just got to wait. 00:38:03 Speaker 2: So if Mike Butterick doesn't win this, if Karen does get up, what, do you put the gumboots back on? 00:38:10 Speaker 6: Well, I don't know. We'll address that when it happens. 00:38:12 Speaker 3: But yeah, it's, yeah, look, I've sort of haven't really thought too much about that at this stage. It's... We'll just wait and see what happens, really. 00:38:20 Speaker 2: Do you reckon you did enough during the campaign? Is there anything you look back and say, gee, I've actually done that all. I'm so, it's going to be so close. 00:38:28 Speaker 3: No, look, I think, you know, we did as much as we could. And actually, I would just acknowledge, you know, all the campaign team and the volunteers. It's actually quite extraordinary when you think of the numbers sometimes, Nick. You know, tens of thousands of flyers and literally people, I reckon they would have walked well over a thousand kilometres walking putting flyers in mailboxes, you know, driving thousands of kilometres, putting up hoardings, you know, door knocking, phone calls, organising meetings. And they do it because they're passionate about their region and their country. And it's incredible to be part of a team of people like that. 00:39:02 Speaker 2: I mean, you probably hope if you do get through, that gives them two very strong MPs over there, doesn't it? 00:39:10 Speaker 6: Yes. Yeah. Yep. 00:39:11 Speaker 2: You know what I mean? Because Kieran's still going to get in. 00:39:14 Speaker 6: Isn't he? 00:39:15 Speaker 3: Yes, he is. Yes, he'll get in on the list regardless. 00:39:17 Speaker 2: Have you spoken to Kieran after the night? 00:39:20 Speaker 3: Yeah, I rang him about, I don't know, about half past 12 and I said, bloody hell, mate. 00:39:24 Speaker 6: I said, how's your nerves? 00:39:26 Speaker 3: And we had a bit of a yak and a bit of a laugh and said, oh, well, it's all going to come down to the specials now. 00:39:31 Speaker 2: You've obviously got a pretty good relationship. You're very, very cordial on the show. You've obviously got a bit of a relationship. 00:39:39 Speaker 6: Well, Nick, I actually

think it's important. And it's important to me. 00:39:43 Speaker 3: And never play the man. I've never, ever been interested in getting in the gutter and just keep it all above board. Play the issues, but never the person. And I think it's important. And to be quite honest, I don't think the public want to see that argy-bargy. No. 00:39:56 Speaker 2: I asked him costly this, so I've got to ask you, have you spoken to the Prime Minister? 00:40:00 Speaker 6: No, I haven't, no, no. 00:40:03 Speaker 2: He's keeping pretty low key then, is he not talking to the maybes? 00:40:07 Speaker 3: I'm sure he'll be talking to a lot of people, but look, I've had a number of phone calls the last day or two, so I'm pretty sure I'll catch up with him tomorrow anyway. 00:40:15 Speaker 2: Have you made a to-do list if you get in? Have you got some things that you want to achieve for your area? 00:40:21 Speaker 3: Yeah, look, there's always things you want to achieve, Nick, and some of it's just continuing the momentum. You know, we talked about that a little bit on the show prior to the election, you know, obviously keep the hospital investment happening. But also, too, I think it's really exciting about the potential for water storage because that is the game changer. 00:40:40 Speaker 2: What are farmers telling you? 00:40:42 Speaker 6: Yeah, look, farmers, they're in a. 00:40:43 Speaker 3: Pretty good spot at the moment, really. 00:40:44 Speaker 6: I mean, product prices are good. 00:40:46 Speaker 3: There's a little bit of angst about the El Nino, but I think everyone's been well forewarned. 00:40:53 Speaker 6: And forewarned is forearmed. 00:40:55 Speaker 3: People are making plans. A lot of crops gone in, a lot of supplement being made. But overall, I mean, the confidence is very, very good in. 00:41:02 Speaker 6: The farming sector. 00:41:03 Speaker 3: And, you know, they're certainly pulling their weight and also to investing back into their property. So that money is going back into our towns, working its way through, which just gives everybody a good lift. 00:41:13 Speaker 2: What are the wineries telling you? 00:41:15 Speaker 6: That is challenging. 00:41:16 Speaker 3: We don't have a huge amount of wineries in this region as compared to Marlborough. That has been particularly stressful. And effectively, there's an over-supply. And there are a few vineyards that haven't done their pruning this year, which effectively, you know, there'll be no crop. So I think there's a little bit of a reset in terms of supply and demand around the country. 00:41:37 Speaker 2: Do you underestimate the value that is for your tourism and hospitality? 00:41:43 Speaker 3: Yeah, look, my think is huge because particularly if you go to Martinborough, you know, and the bulk of those people come over from Wellington, hopefully you're one of them from time to time. You know, there's a lot of people come over the hill and look, it's a beautiful spot, awesome location. And so, look, there's still plenty of vineyards there. But yeah, I'm very, very cognizant of how that effectively pulls a large number of tourists into the region. Of course, while they're here, they go out for tea and they do a whole lot of other things as well. 00:42:11 Speaker 2: How do you play out the next three weeks? Work as normal and just try and forget about it? 00:42:15 Speaker 3: Yeah, pretty much. The ministerial stuff, it's sort of a bit of a caretaker type thing. Obviously, I think, you know, just business as usual, but no big decisions to be made. So just really carry on, Nick, and wait and see where the cards land. 00:42:29 Speaker 2: Oh, well, I can't really say congratulations, but well done. You're ahead. As I said to someone earlier on, it's better to be 5-0 up than 5-0 down with two minutes to go, isn't it? 00:42:40 Speaker 6: Yeah, I'm hearing you there, Nick. I'm hearing you. 00:42:43 Speaker 5: Yeah. 00:42:43 Speaker 2: Mike Butterick, thanks very much. Appreciate your time. 00:42:46 Speaker 6: Always a pleasure. 00:42:48 Speaker 1: For more from Wellington Mornings with Nick Mills, listen live to Newstalk's Ed B. Wellington from 9am weekdays or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.