It’s a cold frosty morning in Ngaruawahia, BestInBounds and his team are set up outside Ngaruawahia primary school selling handmade beanies, mittens and other accessories made by the kids of Ngaruawahia primary during the recently concluded school week. On top of that warm brownies, muffins and cake slices are being distributed out to the growing crowd steadily streaming in from Great South Road. Intrigue is the mood in the air as BestInBounds steps forward to speak.

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“Kia Ora Koutou Katoa.

Ko Maungakiekie toku Maunga

Ko Waitemata toku moana

Ko Ngati Whatua toku iwi

No Tamaki Makaurau ahau

Kei Poneke toku kainga inainei

Ko Auckland Grammar toku Kura

Ko Bounds toku Whanau

Ko BestInBounds toku ingoa

No reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, tena koutou katoa.”

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“Firstly, before I get into my diatribe a few thank you’s are in order. Firstly - to Whaea Maria Hamil and Matua Borrows for helping me and my team to set up shop and help fundraise for the school. If I could urge every one of you to pick up a beanie, mitten or both - the money raised will go towards the provision of new sports equipment for the children of Ngaruawahia primary school and is a worthy investment in their Te taha tinana. Secondly I’d like to thank all those standing behind and beside me for making the early morning trip down with me from the big smoke Tamaki Makaurau to be here helping out with the fundraiser, your efforts are truly appreciated. Lastly, to the good people of Ngaruawahia - what an absolute honour and privilege it is to be able to open my campaign in this fine town, in the heart of the mighty waikato!”

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Several cheers erupt from the crowd, with a fews yoza’s and hearty cheeho’s following suit.

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“It is people like all of you that form the backbone of what our team of 5 million is built on. Community, Aroha, Whanau, togetherness. Forgive me if the latter is not a word, truth be told english was never my forte in high school. But people were, and that’s what I’d like to describe myself as. A people person - somebody who understands the needs and concerns of his community and will strive to the lengths necessary to ensure they are met. It’s why ever since I’ve been appointed National spokesperson for Internal affairs, I’ve been at every single question time pushing for answers for our communities. Like I’ve said in my letters, I will fight every day in the trenches for you because, simply put - Maori affairs deserve to be more than a government afterthought. They deserve the careful consideration, due diligence and respect such a special relationship requires, and what's more - they deserve more than to receive no legislation from the previous three cycles of green-led government. For far too long this Government has taken you all for a ride, and what is even worse is - they’ve taken you for granted. The Minister for Maori affairs had the worst QT record last term, and this term he hasn’t answered a single question. Not one! This is the leadership standard the Green’s have set by allowing this gross miscarriage of responsibility to go on unchecked. The melancholy marriage of misfits currently running the Maori affairs portfolio have abandoned their responsibilities to you and everyone else who had entrusted them with a vote.

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Murmurs of agreement spread through the ever growing group. BestInBounds seems to ease up as he gets into the groove of speaking

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I’m a simple man, who wants one thing - the best for all kiwi’s and I will fight every single day for the equality of opportunities that you and every other New Zealander deserve.On the back of empty promises, and equally empty words it is clear that the Government has forgotten you - but we have not! The National party is as ready as it ever has been to accommodate and facilitate the needs of Tangata Whenua. I praise the investment in Te Reo the Government has promised in it’s budget - but it is not nearly enough. Me and my national colleagues promise concrete changes and plans aimed at the betterment of Maori to reflect the special bonds that link the Crown to Tangata Whenua, with National’s policy is to reinforce and improve the bedrock of our democracy. For too long the Green’s have forgotten their roots, so together - let’s get it right!

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Wild applause erupts from the crowd, BestInBounds team hands out various national pamphlets and posters amidst the throng of people. BestInBounds begins to close

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I’ll address our policy in the coming days, but it is cold enough as is and I won’t keep you waiting. Please feel free to come up for seconds, it’s a bloody cold day as is and this delicious assortment of warm sweets will no doubt hit the spot. The kindness and love i’ve experienced here is exactly what I expected from the renowned Waikato hospitality - and if I could i’d stay here even longer. Such is the aroha I've been treated to from all of you. Before I go I'd just like to remind everyone of the gold coin donation box on the table beside me. It's a fantastic cause for our young tamariki to get out and active so i’d encourage you to donate if you can. Thank you Ngaruawahia - you’ve been great and I hope to see you all again soon! Nga Mihi.