Former Prime Minister and current Leader of the Opposition, the Right Honourable Sir Fresh3001 KNZM today held a campaign rally in Helensville. Sir Fresh3001 addressed the former constituents of ex-Prime Minister Sir John Key in order to turn out support for the National Party candidate in the Northland by-election, /u/FinePorpoise. Sir Fresh3001 spoke on the issues of the day, including the dangers presented by the current government, and of the populist New Zealand First.

“Good afternoon, people of Helensville! It’s always been a pleasure visiting Northland, a beautiful region of New Zealand which I first spent time in during my childhood, and one which I have visited on many occasions during my career in politics. Here in Helensville is, of course, the seat of the former great National Prime Minister Sir John Key. Sir John’s leadership represented a new face for the New Zealand National Party, one which maintained responsible economic stewardship but also presented a kinder, liberal attitude toward social issues. Sir John and Sir Bill English delivered for New Zealanders in the period following the Global Financial Crisis, and grew New Zealand’s “Rockstar Economy”. Sir John’s tenure as Prime Minister was one of the greatest in the history of our nation, and I hope that my time as Prime Minister will be looked upon just as fondly.

“On many occasions has a member of my party held this seat in Northland. Most recently was the well respected rural representative /u/Kingethan15. /u/Kingethan15 was a strong supporter, and was obviously very involved, in the two coalition governments which I led. Make no mistake, the successor of /u/Kingethan15 in this by-election is /u/FinePorpoise. United Future have betrayed Ethan’s legacy by endorsing the candidate who ran against him, and by turning its back on the party that Ethan once led. /u/Kingethan15 was a true centre right liberal who recognised what my government had delivered, and could continue to deliver for New Zealanders. The Labour Party stands opposed to the great strides we made for everyday New Zealanders in government, and electing a Labour Party MP will only mean that those opposing views are further entrenched in the government.

“On the other hand, Northland voters have a choice of electing the New Zealand First candidate and shameless carpetbagger /u/Winston_Wilhelmus. With no regard to his former constituents in Aoraki, Winston has decided to prioritise prestige over duty by running in this by-election and abandoning Aoraki. Make no mistake, /u/Winston_Wilhelmus does not represent Aoraki voters and nor do you want him to. His regressive and reactionary views would take New Zealand back to the 1970s, a period when women and minorities were oppressed and a stagnant economy was guided by subjective values rather than solid economic fact. At a time when reactionary, far right attitudes are sweeping the globe, New Zealanders need to stand up and say no to nationalism. As a small island nation in the South Pacific, which is populated entirely by immigrants or their descendants, New Zealand needs to remain open to an ever more globalised society and will reap the benefits of free trade and free movement.

“/u/FinePorpoise is a fine candidate for Northland and his election as your representative to Wellington will ensure that National can continue to hold this shambolic government to account. Whether it be imposing price controls on ordinary New Zealanders, isolating New Zealand from the rest of the world, threatening our quality of life with reckless environmental restrictions, or increasing the tax burden on ordinary New Zealanders, this government is doing far worse than the alternative. Send a message to the Greens and their cronies in government by electing a competent and sensible MP who will hold them to account. Only National can deliver a government which respects the right of all New Zealanders, and which will act not just with compassion but with competence.”