By Talia Blewitt
Senior National Party MP and Earthquake Minister Gerry Brownlee says the people of Christchurch have voted with a clear majority in favour of National.
It appears to be an endorsement of National’s handling of earthquake matters.
“The earthquakes and aftermath have dominated people’s lives for the past 14 odd months, so you can’t see it any other way.
“This indicates while you have had some dissent around a few decisions, what people appreciate is decisions and that the government will stand by Christchurch and we will continue to do so in the rebuild.”
Labour’s Clayton Cosgrove lost his long-standing hold on the Waimakariri seat to National’s Kate Wilkinson.
“Kate has done a tremendous job out there. She has been quietly going about the work out there, assisting people as necessary.
“You can’t, in a dismal situation, keep giving negative messages and expect that people are going to pat you on the back for it. It’s one of those human nature things, you want optimism. You want that backed up by action and we have provided that.”
Last night NZ First leader Winston Peters, who has made a comeback from this election, said he wants to work constructively with the Government and support good initiatives. This is despite his stance prior to the election, saying he would neither lend support to National or Labour.
“He’s a guy who enjoys the theatre of Parliament,” says Mr Brownlee. “But in the end the theatre is just a thin veil for real substance, which is a political process we should be delivering.”
He says with the way the Labour support collapsed with and the National vote growing, something had to fill the gap and that was NZ First.
“It’s a simple analysis but an obvious one.”
Mr Brownlee says Christchurch Central will continue to recover well. Nicky Wagner may have taken what was a Labour stronghold, “ever since its inception from what I can remember” - the result is tied.
“Nicky is a very empathetic person, and the vote shows people in that seat are wanting a National Government.
“It has been hard on all MPs, it’s not a slight to them.”
With a National cabinet reshuffle set for before Christmas, Mr Brownlee says his responsibilities with Christchurch are left in the Prime Minister’s hands but he is not backing away from the opportunity.
He says he wants to stick around to see decisions made on 3000 houses on the Port Hills and 700 on flat land. After that he trusts systems put in place will allow him to wind back his role, as well as leaving the job in the hands of Cera’s Roger Sutton.
3 News