Kaikōura Electorate MP maps election approach

Members of Parliament draw the most attention – some might say scrutiny – for what they do in Wellington. Less conspicuous, but perhaps more impactful for residents individually, is constituent service.

Kiwis can go to their MP’s local office to seek assistance with personal issues navigating Government. Stuart Smith appreciates this aspect of his job, as well as his staff members who field the inquiries.

“I enjoy the work; I find it rewarding,” the Kaikōura Electorate MP, seeking his fifth term in November, said after a morning of emergency-response briefings on the red-level storm last week. “I write letters on their behalf. I’ll represent them to ministers – I often cross the floor at question time and advocate for my constituent.

“Obviously you can’t solve everyone’s problems, and at times that’s quite sad, some of the cases we have to deal with,” he noted. “But I’ve got very good staff – they really are the secret sauce.”

On the national level, and for National, Stuart holds key positions as his party’s Senior Whip and the Chief Government Whip. He communicates routinely with ministers, including the prime minister, and the other parties’ whips. The latter group includes a candidate for his electorate seat: Jamie Arbuckle, List MP for NZ First.

During PM Christopher Luxon’s visit to Marlborough on 12 June, Stuart accompanied him along the way and co-facilitated a public meeting which National hosted in Blenheim.

“As I have done on all of my campaigns, I run a party-vote campaign,” he explained. “Ultimately, I’m working to get the National Government re-elected, and the candidate votes will follow. I believe I’ve built a solid track record of achievements with my time in Parliament and with more to come.”

Key issues
En route to a vote is a member’s bill by Stuart amending the Local Government Act.

As summarised in the general policy statement, the legislation aims “to make the roles and responsibilities of the mayor, councillors, and the chief executive of local authorities clearer” and “align the governance and management of local authorities with those of the corporate and not-for-profit sectors.”

Stuart also cited advocacy for amending alcohol sales laws to permit cellar door tastings at wineries and for boosting the region’s health system.

An issue raised by Jamie (see “Whip v Whip gets cracking”) is the ferry project. Government moved forward with improvements at Port Marlborough. Stuart pushed for consideration of Clifford Bay, which he says should have received a more thorough assessment.

His concern now, he said, is traffic impact: “We have to remember that we are replacing three ferries with two much bigger models. The new ferries will have 35 percent more capacity for vehicles.” Stuart supports a bypass for Blenheim to mitigate congestion.

Though colleagues in the Beehive from aligned parties, Jamie expressed a “gloves off” approach to campaigning against the electorate incumbent.

“I don’t view it as gloves on or off,” Stuart replied. “I call things as I see them.”