Taking On Winnie
OPINION: No one messes around with Winston Peters, more so in a general election year.
New Zealand First has picked former Federated Farmers Southland president Jason Herrick as its Southland candidate.
Herrick has spearheaded Southland farmers' push for regulation reforms and is well known in the Southland farming community.
National has roped in former Federated Farmers national president Katie Milne for the West Coast-Tasman seat.
Katie Milne and Kristine Asuncion Add Farming Credentials to National Party Line-Up
A fifth-generation family farmer from the West Coast, Milne was the vice president of the World Farmers Organisation, a director for Predator Free 2050 and served as Federated Farmers' first female president between 2017 and 2020.
National has also secured a high-profile dairy farmer for the Dunedin seat.
Kristine Asuncion, a Filipino migrant, brings over a decade of experience in dairy farming, as well as leadership in people and culture, workforce development, and migrant advocacy across New Zealand's primary industries.
Rural Support Emerging as Key Election Battleground
Herrick's candidacy signals an interesting battle for the seat currently held by National's Joseph Mooney.
While National did well in most rural seats last election, the 2026 election could be different.
Coalition partners ACT and NZ First will try to poach votes.
Bryce McKenzie, a founder of farmer advocacy group Groundswell, believes National will struggle to hold ground against both ACT and, more so, NZ First.
"Definitely from what we are hearing, people are disillusioned with National," McKenzie told Rural News.
He doesn't expect Labour to put up a fight in rural seats.
"Rural people are very wary of Labour after what they did in the last two terms they were in government. Also, their coalition partners are a major concern," he adds.
Jason Herrick Says NZ First Aligns With His Values
Herrick says he decided to stand for NZ First because it aligns "with my strong beliefs for democracy and equal citizenship".
"NZ First values around common sense have resonated with me for some years now," he told Rural News.
"I strongly believe that for NZ to move forward, we need to stop holding current citizens of NZ responsible for the wrongs of the past and move forward as one country. NZ First has demonstrated the same beliefs."
Herrick believes National has been a huge part of a coalition government but not enough has been done for the rural community.
"I believe the coalition has started moving in the right direction, but there is so much more to do.
"The economy is still in strife and the only way to get NZ out of this mess is by regional development and growth.
"I believe NZ First is the right party to do this, supported by the right coalition partners to get us moving forward."
Herrick claims farmers are still frustrated at the amount of red tape and regulation holding back productivity.
"Although dairy and the red meat sectors are showing good income levels, the costs are still extremely high," he says.
Milne Says National Backs Primary Sector
Milne says that as a lifelong advocate for farmers, she can see firsthand how National backs the primary sector.
"The National-led Government has reduced red tape to get farmers back to farming, signed new trade deals which has helped increase trade by $17 billion, and introduced [an] investment boost to encourage businesses to invest, expand, and hire more Kiwis.
"As a fifth-generation coaster, I know that our region can be more productive, with more jobs and higher wages.
"That is why I will be campaigning hard to re-elect a National government and to earn the right to be West Coast-Tasman's next National MP."
