as the battle for the North begins, co-leader of the Green Party imnofox speaks to a huge, faithful crowd of supporters at Laurie Hall Park

“Tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa! Thank you all for showing up at this exciting and exhilarating event. As we all know, following the resignation of our valued cabinet colleague /u/Kingethan15, both a worthy opponent and a strong ally in more recent times, it has come the time for Northland to choose a new representative. It is true, you may be tired of by-election or resignations or party-hopping in this beautiful electorate over the last few terms. But if there is one constant, persistently fighting for the people of Northland, for the economy of Northland, for the environment of Northland, and for the future of Northland- that constant is the impressive Labour Party candidate by the name of /u/WillShakespeare99!”

“Northland has it’s challenges. Crime grows. We have a domestic violence crisis. Unemployment hurts everyone. Local farmers struggling to get by. Conservation land exploited, and climate change threatens everything. Northland needs real local leadership. Proven local leadership. There is just one candidate in this race who can claim that record, and we know that /u/WillShakespeare99 will serve Northland better than Northland has ever been served before. The challenges Northland faces are large, but not impossible to overcome. All that it takes is persistence, determination, passion, and love for Northland. Grassroots leadership, local leadership, community roots. The campaigns and the record of /u/WillShakespeare99 in this electorate show he is a proven grassroots voice, committed to this electorate, through thick and thin, and that should not be sniffed at.”

“This new government, with Greens at the helm, backed by TOP, United Future, and the Labour Party, has already started work putting into practice our many promises for the Northland economy. And I want to commend the retiring MP, /u/Kingethan15, for his advocacy for Northland since breaking free from the National Party. Because this coalition government shows the power of having committed, local representation in government. And that’s representation only a vote for Labour’s /u/WillShakespeare99 can deliver.”

“We don’t need to make bribes like the National Party tried to do in Whanganui- which, I might add, this new government is finally delivering on-, we don’t need to make bribes because the record of this government in Northland already shows this government and the Labour Party’s commitment to Northland. Investment in rail, to strengthen local businesses. A new terminal at the Bay of Islands Airport, expanding tourism in this beautiful electorate. The creation of a tourism hub in Kawakawa, to make tourism more accessible, and advertise our local wonders and businesses. Supporting local businesses with a new specialised Regional Workers Visa. Combatting family violence through hundred million dollar investments in prevention and early intervention services. Protecting victims of domestic violence through new flexible working arrangements. Protecting our conservation land from mining, and creating new national parks in Northland, recognising the beauty and growing the tourism industry of this electorate. And the list goes on. This is a government committed to tackling the issues this electorate faces. This is a candidate who shares that commitment and passion for Northland.”

“We’ve seen the benefit of committed and persistent local leadership in government. It’d be an absolute mistake to throw that away, risking it on some crossbench or opposition MP. Northland needs results, not platitudes, and Labour’s /u/WillShakespeare99 is the candidate in this race unique qualified to deliver and fight for Northland. He continues to hold the full support and endorsement of the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand.”

“Thank you, now let’s get out there and fight for Northland!”

the crowd cheers, pumped up, enthused, and excited to turn Northland red once more