AUCKLAND The three parties overtly seeking the support of Christian voters have been sent a resounding message from the electorate: Thanks, but no thanks. The Kiwi Party, the Family Party and the New Zealand Pacific Party gained a combined 1.22 per cent of the party vote, or a total of 25,623 votes. The Kiwi Party received 11,659 party votes, compared with 6991 for the New Zealand Pacific Party and 6973 for the Family Party.
Each of the three parties had targeted certain electorates in the hope that they might win that seat, eliminating the need to reach the 5 per cent threshold to enter Parliament. Parties must win an electorate seat or 5 per cent of the party vote to qualify for representation.
Taito Phillip Field, the leader of the New Zealand Pacific Party, was considered a chance to retain his seat in Mangere, which he won as a member of the Labour Party in 2005 and earlier elections. He was soundly defeated by Labours candidate, though, finishing a distant second.
The Family Party saw Mangere, with Jerry Filipaina, and East Coast Bays, with Paul Adams, as seats to contest. Mr Filipaina was fourth in Mangere, with less than 4 per cent of the electorate vote, while Mr Adams was third, more than 15,000 votes behind the winner.
Larry Baldock was considered the best chance among the Kiwi Party candidates, but he was fourth in the important seat of Tauranga, with Nationals Simon Bridges receiving 57 per cent of the electorate vote as locals seemingly sought to end the career of New Zealand First leader Winston Peters. Mr Baldock received more than 1700 votes.
Kiwi Party candidate Gordon Copeland has said the party will contest the 2011 general election, while Family Party leader Richard Lewis, in a letter to supporters, said the party would meet soon after the election to consider the pathway forward, being confident in the knowledge that we have laid a true foundation upon which success can be achieved.
The future of the New Zealand Pacific Party looks set to hang in the balance ahead of Mr Fields trial on bribery and corruption charges.
