National's Joseph Mooney is the new electorate MP for Southland
New National Party MP Joseph Mooney will serve his first term in Parliament in an electorate that showed some dissatisfaction with his party on Saturday night.
Mooney is the new electorate MP for Southland, but Labour won the party vote.
The new Southland electorate encompasses much of the former Clutha-Southland area, which has traditionally been a National stronghold and was home to former Prime Minister Bill English for more than 20 years.
“The very first thing I’ll do is try to get [fruit] pickers on the ground and Recognised Seasonal Employers workers, because we have a crisis on our doorstep in Central Otago. Queenstown and Te Anau are also heavily reliant on migrant workers and Kiwis aren’t doing that work, so we need to get people on the ground in there," Mooney says.
“Also our rural contractors and farmers are heavily reliant on migrant workers because Kiwis either aren’t doing that work or they’re not trained to do it.’’
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What's your favourite recipe for gooseberry?
Love gooseberries? Share your favourite way to enjoy them. We're looking for our readers' favourite family recipes for this delicious crop. Send yours to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the magazine, you will receive a free copy of our December 2024 issue.
Poll: How should Guy Fawkes be celebrated?
While it is a fun occasion, fireworks on Guy Fawkes Night has caused much conflict over the years, upsetting our pets and disrupting the sleep of neighbours.
How should we celebrate Guy Fawkes Night? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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28.9% With a city-wide public fireworks display
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19.9% Small fireworks displays in each community
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7.3% Keep it as is
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33.5% We shouldn't celebrate it!
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9.9% Anything but fireworks
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0.5% Other - I'll share below