September 18, 2023
Costello rockets up NZ First list
New Zealand First has put former Hobson’s Pledge spokesperson Casey Costello at number three on its party list, meaning the former police detective sergeant will be in parliament if the party crosses the 5 percent threshold.
She’s the only one in the top five not to have been an MP, although she does have a spell of being responsible for security at Parliament on her cv.
The top two spots are held by leader Winston Peters and Northland candidate Shane Jones, and the presence of Kaipara ki Mahurangi candidate Jenny Marcroft at five after Mark Patterson means four of the top five are Māori.
Ms Casey’s strong stance against co-governance could appeal to a small group of voters also being courted by ACT.
Local government experience is the selling point for the next two on the list, Marlborough district councillor Jamie Arbuckle and former Wellington mayor Andy Foster.
A good result for New Zealand First on election night could also bring to parliament life coach and motivational speaker Tanya Unkovich, who has a finance background, and Cities and Regions Ltd founder David Wilson, who has a PhD in governance and regional economic development and was part of the advisory panel for the $3 billion Regional Growth Fund.