The Election 2026 campaign is entering its final stretch, with New Zealand First deputy leader and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones putting the regions firmly at the centre of his party’s pitch to voters.
Jones, who is also Minister for Resources and Oceans and Fisheries, has been campaigning around the country with regional investment, infrastructure, jobs and economic development featuring prominently in his message.
Speaking with Waatea, Jones says the response he is seeing at community meetings shows regional New Zealand remains an important battleground as parties compete for support ahead of election day. Recent Waatea coverage has also highlighted Jones’ focus on regional infrastructure investment and the reception New Zealand First is receiving outside the main centres.
One electorate attracting attention is West Coast–Tasman, where New Zealand First has selected former Buller Mayor Jamie Cleine as its candidate. Cleine served as Buller Mayor from 2019 until 2025 and is campaigning in an electorate covering communities from the West Coast through to parts of Tasman.
The contest gives New Zealand First another opportunity to test its appeal in provincial communities, where questions around infrastructure, regional jobs, energy, transport and economic development are prominent campaign issues.
For Jones, the argument is that decisions made in Wellington need to translate into investment and opportunity beyond the major cities. His Regional Development portfolio has included projects across the country funded through the Regional Infrastructure Fund.
With proverbs aplenty, Jones joined Waatea to discuss what New Zealand First is hearing on the campaign trail, the contest developing in West Coast–Tasman and the role regional voters could play in determining the composition of the next Parliament.
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