December 03, 2019
Hayes walks away after electorate snub
National MP Jo Hayes says Palmerston North delegates will have to live with their decision to pick a 17-year schoolboy to contest the seat in next year's election.
The Christchurch-based list MP, who has whakapapa links to the Whanganui-Rangitikei area, sought the nomination after the party board refused to drop its ban on contesting Māori seats to allow her to run in Te Tai Hauāuru.
She says it will be an interesting contest between William Wood and incumbent Iain Lees Galloway, who has increased his margin each election since 2008.
"Will I be available to help them out? I don't think so. You don't interfere in other people's patches when it comes to things like that during a campaign. So all I have to say is I wish them well and watch this space from here on out," Ms Hayes says.
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