October 26, 2023
National Party Christchurch Central candidate reflects on his campaign
The National Party’s Christchurch Central candidate Dale Stephens, of Te Rarawa, says he’ll wait until final election results come in next Friday, to decide his political future.
Stephens, who was seen as a bright propsect for National, has resumed his Director of Māori Partnership role at New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.
He says he was thrilled he slashed the 2020 majority of Labour’s Duncan Webb from 14,000 votes to just 1,800 this time round.
Stephens concedes the electorate seat race has been decided, but Party Votes might still get him into parliament.
“We’ve still got to wait for the result of specials. I’m on the cusp in terms of getting a list spot. Disappointed we didn’t quite make it but certainly there’s a future there and I’m being urged to stand again but I’m not making any decisions till after November,” he says.
Dale Stephens estimates he knocked on 21,000 doors during his campaigning – and says it gave him an intimate knowledge of issues affecting people in the Christchurch Central seat.