Mahesh Muralidhar, National's candidate for Auckland Central, has added a green tinge to his predominantly blue outlook while out on the campaign trail in recent weeks.
"I am a socially progressive candidate," Muralidhar says. "Once in Parliament, I will be at the forefront of climate adaptation. Among other things, I will be advocating for protecting the Hauraki Gulf and helping the farm sector mitigate the effects of climate change.
"While the Green Party might have the brand, their focus is not on climate change. They have a socialist agenda. For example, their wealth tax policy is aimed at funding free dental care for all. Where will they arrange money to tackle climate change then?"
He said National would "partner with capital markets and the private sector to deliver on global climate issues".
Research has shown that climate change is an important issue for younger voters and Auckland Central is about as young as it gets.
According to its electorate profile, Auckland Central is mostly comprised of highly educated young adults, with relatively few children or elderly.
Of all general electorates in New Zealand, Auckland Central has the highest proportion of people aged 25-29 (17.4 percent), the highest proportion of people aged 30-34 (12.3 percent), the lowest proportion of all age groups under 15 and the lowest proportion of those aged 45-54 and those over age 80 (1.3%). What's more, 55.3 percent of the electorate's population were born overseas.
The younger cross-section of voters is precisely what incumbent Green MP Chlöe Swarbrick targeted in 2020, when the electorate turned from blue to green. National's Nikki Kaye had held the seat since 2008, even defeating former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern twice. Between 1919 and 2008, Labour MPs usually controlled the electorate.
National is typically not associated with issues relating to climate change, but Muralidhar needs that perception to change if he is to reclaim Auckland Central from the Greens.
Auckland Central National Party candidate Mahesh Muralidhar. Photo: RNZ / Blessen Tom
The startup executive's wealth has come up frequently during the campaign.
"I have lost count of how many times my political opponents have brought this up," he says. "And every time, I think in my head, there won't be many people in this room who have seen as much poverty as I have. I come from a very low socio-economic background. I have slept in cars. At times, I didn't have money to pay my school fees.
"The only investment I ever got was the amazing gift of education my parents gave me. It enabled me to come to New Zealand as a student and I rose from there. I am, in quite a literal sense, a self-made person."
The National candidate speaks frankly about the benefits of immigration.
"New Zealand's future is dependent on immigrants," he says. "We have heard the challenges and frustrations of the immigrant population and have come up with sound policies, including the multiple-entry parents' visitor visa."
However, he sidesteps questions focusing on why the National government suspended the parents' residency visa programme in 2016.
"I can't comment on the exact socioeconomic conditions at that time," he says. "But going forward, my party and my leader are both committed to having a closer relationship with India. We want more and more talented people to come here and make New Zealand their new home."
Michele Wade, a party delegate who is involved in Muralidhar's campaign, noted similarities with earlier campaigns run by Kaye.
"Nikki was big on door-knocking, as she believed in one-to-one interactions," Wade says. "Mahesh is kind of similar. In our months of reaching out to people, I have witnessed several instances where he has been able to convince even hardcore Labour supporters to give National a chance."
Mahesh Muralidhar (right) with National Party volunteers in Auckland. Photo: Supplied
Jason Ng, a volunteer on the campaign, believes that a lot more people are involved this time around.
"People really want a change in government, and it shows on the ground," he says.
Muralidhar believes local issues are important, including homelessness, social housing and Auckland Transport's inefficiencies.
"But the number one issue in my electorate, by far, is crime," he says. "I am incredibly frustrated by the current political leadership not acknowledging the impact it has caused our communities.
"National has short-term measures and long-term initiatives to deal with the issue. Military academies and boot camps have worked the world over.
"In addition, I will advocate for an extra police station in the area and ensure there are consequences to actions. There will be more police walking the beat as well."
Rajeeva Gooneratne, campaign manager for Muralidhar, notes the difficulties the candidate faces while campaigning.
"Chlöe is a high-profile MP, so obviously she gets much more attention," Gooneratne says. "But absurdly, we have seen instances where media leave Mahesh's name out of the discussion on Auckland Central just because his family name is difficult to pronounce. They could make an effort at least."
Has he ever thought of changing his name or perhaps even adopting an English name?
"Never," he says. "I have faced systemic bias everywhere I have been, but it hasn't changed who I am and what I believe in. I am very proud of my name. I am not going to change it because some people find it difficult to pronounce."
Stay up to date with Checkpoint's live election night special with Lisa Owen, Corin Dann, Jane Patterson and reporters around the country from 7pm to midnight on Saturday, running alongside live data and blogging with electorate and party vote results on RNZ's website. RNZ Asia will also be running its own live blog in Chinese.
实时更新报道， 尽在RNZ中文！ 本周六（10月14日大选日当天)下午5点起，以中文实时追踪2023年新西兰大选，各党票数、全国选情 、计票进展与最终结果，第一手资讯尽在 www.rnz.co.nz/chinese。 本周六，我们与您一同关注大选。
Then on Sunday, stay tuned for the Morning Report special from 8am to 10am, examining the results, the drama, and the changes from the night before: with polls this close, exactly who's in government will likely come down to negotiations.
