on a beautiful day, in front of the beautiful backdrop of Kororāreka, imnofox spoke to an eager media

“Tena koutou, tena koutou, tena tatou katoa. Today I speak to you from this special location to speak to the good qualities of a special candidate in the by-election of Northland. Contrasted with the opportunistic candidate of The Opportunities Party and the mail-order candidate from the Wairarapa standing for the Liberals, I want to express the Green Party’s profound respect and excitement for the candidacy of /u/WillShakespeare99.”

“Northland is a special place for New Zealand. It is a beautiful region, but there are big problems under the surface that we need to work together, collectively, to solve. Just like every electorate in Aotearoa New Zealand, there are real challenges. There is just one candidate in this race that will work hard for the people of Northland- that is /u/WillShakespeare99 for Labour.”

“What good can a candidate from the other end of the island do for Northland? The Liberals must think Northlanders stupid. People want real local representation, not the tried and rejected candidate of another electorate halfway down the country. We’ve seen the respect /u/WillShakespeare99 has for his community, the mahi he’s put in. We’ve seen his many contribution over his lifetime in this region. He has not been shipped up at the last minute. He’s been working in this community for years.”

“The record of /u/WillShakespeare99 speaks for himself. He is a man who cared for Northland’s battlers. He cares for the environment, and we can just look over my shoulder to see the value in that. He cares for our vulnerable. Our victims. He knows what representation means for Northland, because he’s a Northlander through and through.”

“I am proud to be putting the weight of my party behind /u/WillShakespeare99’s candidacy. Northland deserves real representation, and that’s what /u/WillShakespeare99 offers Northland. Thank you. I’ll take some questions.”

Why haven’t the Greens stood a candidate in this race? asks Tova O’Brien, Newshub

“We didn’t stand here last election, and supported /u/WillShakespeare99’s candidacy then too. That was the right decision, because he’s a great candidate for Northland who shares our values. Northland Greens thought this was the right decision, and I definitely agree. We recognise real progressive talent when we see it.”

The Liberal candidate just lost Wairarapa to a Green, what do you think about him standing here? questions Barry Soper, Newstalk ZB

“I think Northland voters will see right through it. It’s not his community, he has no skin in the game. People want local representation, not mail order candidates from the lower North Island. /u/WillShakespeare99 has been involved in Northland and it’s community for years, and voters see that. I’m sure voters will make clear what they think.”

imnofox continued answering the media’s questions as the sun set behind Russell in the background, before hopping back on his bicycle to head back down to Whanganui.