Waimakariri MP seeking a fourth term

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

From local democracy reporter David Hill:

Matt Doocey admits there were some ‘‘dark days’’ where he considered retiring from parliament.

The Waimakariri MP has announced he will be putting his name forward for the National Party’s selection process to seek a fourth term in the 2023 general election.

He was first elected as Waimakariri MP in 2014.

But Doocey said there were moments after National’s disappointing result in the 2020 general election where he wondered if

Parliament was where he wanted to be.

‘‘I was very close to throwing in the towel,’’ he said.

‘‘When I look back over the last few years, since the devastating loss in 2020, where I saw so many of my colleagues leave Parliament, there were a lot things that weren’t right at the time.

‘‘Clearly we weren’t united and people don’t like to see disunity and there were concerns around behaviour of MPs.’’

He said being an MP had ‘‘an element of loneliness’’, being away from family for days on end when Parliament was in session.

‘‘There were definitely some dark days in Opposition when I did some soul-searching.

He sought advice from then leader Judith Collins, which led to him re-focusing on what he wanted to achieve as an MP.

Soon after that election defeat, Doocey was promoted to senior whip, which gave him a degree of authority and saw him working closely with the party leadership.

Following the election of Christopher Luxon as party leader last year, Doocey was promoted to the front bench at number eight.

He said he was now focused on representing the Waimakariri electorate ‘‘to the best of my ability’’ and becoming New Zealand’s first mental health minister.

‘‘I’m really fortunate to be able to represent Waimakariri, which is a fantastic place to live and work.

‘‘I love the ability to be in the outdoors with my young family, whether it’s enjoying the coastline or the rivers, and the ability to engage with locals on the ground.

‘‘When I pick up the groceries or drop the kids off at school, people want to stop and chat and it’s lovely to be part of the community.’’

Doocey said he would continue to advocate for 24 hour healthcare in Rangiora and for the Woodend Bypass.

‘‘For me, my focus has always been to serve everyone in the Waimakariri electorate, regardless of how they vote. In 2020, 9500 people split their vote, but voted for me to be their voice in Parliament which is humbling, so it’s important that I stay committed and focused and make sure that voice is heard.’’