4 minute read
Get to Know the Selwyn Party Candidates
Labour | Reuben Davidson
Kia ora. My name is Reuben Davidson and I am the Labour candidate for Selwyn.
I care deeply about people. Born and bred in Canterbury surrounded by a large loving family, I received an excellent education enabling me to work in a job I love.
I’ve worked my way up the ranks of television production in New Zealand, starting with making coffee, I’ve production managed lifestyle and magazine shows for Television New Zealand and worked as a Creator and Series Producer for New Zealand’s largest children’s production company. Always with an eye to increasing opportunities for business and jobs in Canterbury.
I know first-hand how hard it can be to balance study and work commitments to get by. That’s one of the reasons I’m so proud of the fees free policy Labour rolled out in our first term. There is more to do.
As an elected Community Board member for Banks Peninsula which until recently overlapped Selwyn, I have seen and value how much our local rural communities contribute to the national economy and how they can be best served and supported.
Students are the future of our workforce, and Lincoln is a world centre of excellence for study across our key primary industries. I look forward to the opportunity to meet and talk with you to hear your issues and how we can help as we recover and rebuild together. Please get in touch anytime.
National | Nicola Grigg
I’ve been asked a lot lately why I want to be the MP for Selwyn—it’s simple—I love this region. I was born and raised on our family farm in Mt Somers—I grew up here and am proud to call it home.
My whole family still farm in this district - from the Rakaia Gorge, down to the foothills, and out across the Canterbury plains.
My first job was in a shearing shed – but since then I’ve worked in the private sector as a journalist, a communications manager in big tourism businesses and also as a Parliamentary press secretary to Simon Bridges and Sir Bill English for almost four years under the last National-led government.
In my most recent role as a trade specialist at New Zealand Trade & Enterprise I’ve been given some real insights into how business owners in this electorate are coping in the current economic environment.
I work with small to medium exporters every day and I’m constantly amazed at how innovative and ambitious we Cantabrians are – I see our local business owners putting everything on the line to take products and services to the world – even now, in such uncertain times.
That is why I so firmly believe we absolutely must return to National’s proven formula of economic management to recover from the economic devastation caused by the Covid- 19 pandemic. Now, more than ever, we need to deliver a message of hope and ambition to New Zealanders by offering practical, solutions-driven policy and ideas - as only the New Zealand National Party can.
ACT | Stuart Armstrong
Hi, I’m the ACT Party’s Selwyn candidate Stuart Armstrong. I’m a New Zealand table tennis representative (Jnr, Snr, & Veteran) and until cancer forced a career change, a healthcare sales manager. I believe in the importance of free speech and the inherent dignity of the individual.
In the last 2 years I’ve campaigned relentlessly for David Seymour’s End of Life Choice Act. This was underpinned by an in-depth interview with Newstalk ZB’s Chris Lynch which I’m proud to say created an explosion of interest in this important issue. Chris picked up 55,000+ Facebook views in the three days after the show aired.
I have two adult children and live near Lincoln with my wife Rebecca and our 7 horses, dog, 2 cats and a couple of Kune Kune pigs.
I’m campaigning for the “party vote” for ACT because ACT offers a constructive and principled voice in New Zealand.
Parliament needs voices that can be calm, intelligent, and fearless when it comes to tackling the big issues of public health, the economy, and jobs. I’ve had strong and consistent support for fair firearm arms laws after the govt’s rushed, undemocratic and ultimately failed gun buy back scheme. ACT’s selection of COLFO spokesperson Nicole McKee at number 3 on our party list will ensure a strong and knowledgeable advocate for new laws that don’t penalise lawful and responsible firearms licence holders.
Students at Lincoln University can look to ACT for a practical solution to the costs of tertiary education. ACT’s 5-point economic plan (act.org.nz) will reduce the high burden of debt facing today’s students.
Party vote ACT to give yourself the chance to let us change your future.
