The countdown is on for 12 candidates who threw their hat in the Tauranga by-election ring.
A dozen candidates are seeking ex-MP Simon Bridges' Tauranga seat. Photo: Tauranga City Council
Labour, National and Act are standing candidates - Jan Tinetti, Sam Uffindell and Cameron Luxton.
The candidates are seeking to replace former National leader Simon Bridges who, after 14 years, retired from Parliament last month.
However there are nine other hopefuls, including four independents. So what makes them tick, what Tauranga issues get them hot under the collar and why do they think they are the ones to best resolve them?
Peter Wakeman
Peter Wakeman first tried to represent Tauranga at the 1993 by-election after Winston Peters resigned from the National Party and stood again as an independent.
Wakeman is hoping to place better than third, although it is slightly different campaigning this time because he is living in Christchurch.
"I have lived in the Avenues in Tauranga, but currently I am campaigning remotely from Christchurch because I don't want to catch Covid.
"What made me campaign in Tauranga is some people I have spoken to can remember me campaigning in 1993 and it's unusual to have a by-election in the same place."
Despite the distance between Tauranga and Wakeman, he believes he has a good grasp of core issues for New Zealand's fastest growing city.
"I've already been part of the Tauranga community and the issues I see are traffic and poverty.
"If people think wherever you live changes that, it's a New Zealand-wide problem. Unless the people of Tauranga start paying attention, which I don't think they are, things are going to happen [to change that]."
He said he would like to see the Goods and Services Tax revoked and a financial transaction tax exercised. In his opinion, this would put more money in the pockets of those who needed it most.
Wakeman would also enjoy the ability to have his questions answered within 14 days if he was elected. He currently has many Official Information Act requests before the Ombudsmen.
Asked how this related to the people of Tauranga, he said, "Transparency is very important wherever people live and at the moment I feel I am locked out of the parliamentary system because no one wants to ask the questions that I want asked."
Andrew Hollis
Andrew Hollis is a name Tauranga residents can easily remember - he was a Tauranga City councillor before the government sent them packing and brought in commissioners.
There's no need to guess what's first on his agenda, if elected.
"I'd be lobbying the Minister for Local Government to get rid of the commissioners [before local body elections]. I would have approximately two months to pull that off and that would be the first thing on my agenda - bringing democracy back to this city."
He states the most important issue overall is transport. He would like to see better investment into roading and rail that could withstand the heavy vehicles constantly on Bay of Plenty roads due to the Port of Tauranga.
He has spent time campaigning for transport in the past, outside of his time as a city councillor, and believes this shows his ability to get the job done.
Hollis is the first candidate for the New Nation Party, established for those "who feel they aren't being listened to".
Its policies include immediate resumption of the exploration of oil and gas, leaving the United Nations and reducing the power of central government.
"This by-election has just been a fantastic opportunity to test out our marketing and test the electorate.
"So win, lose or draw we are aiming for a big year next year."
Sue Grey
Prominent anti-mandate campaigner Sue Grey is standing for the New Zealand Outdoors and Freedom Party.
She said her move from Nelson to Tauranga more or less coincidentally coincided with the opportunity to stand in the by-election.
Grey's background of law, notably against the Covid-19 vaccine rollout, has pushed her into politics, she said.
"As a lawyer you can only take issues so far.
"It's a really good opportunity to get into politics to have a say on what those laws are rather than just challenging the implementation of those laws."
Like Andrew Hollis, at the top of Grey's wish list if elected is Tauranga democracy.
Early voting is under way and election day is Saturday with the result that evening.
Other candidates include One Party's Allan Cawood, Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party's Christopher Coker, independent Tony Corbett, Independent Gordon Dickson, New Conservative Party's Helen Houghton and independent candidate Yvette Lamare.
