Paved with good intentions

• By Casey Costello, NZ First MP

Politics is, unavoidably, consuming an increasing portion of public dialogue as we head to the election.

With approximately three months until the election the good intentions for our future are being espoused from every political corner.

Having had the privilege of being an MP since November 2023, I know that intention must be accompanied by practical common sense and a commitment to working hard.

In other words, you’ll hear a lot of promises, and some may sound pretty good.

But as we’ve seen too many times, some ideas that sound good simply don’t work. One of NZ First’s great strengths is that we care about how things work in practice.

Our policies, and the way we work in government, are about getting results for New
Zealand and New Zealanders.

My path to politics was different to many, as a first term MP straight to being a cabinet minister.

This has been an honour and I cannot adequately express my gratitude.

I have been given the opportunity to travel this country to listen, engage, and thankfully deliver in many areas.

I know there is so much more that needs doing so I was very grateful to be announced, at New Zealand First’s annual conference, as the candidate for our electorate, Port Waikato.

It was great to host the conference in South Auckland; this is where I have lived and worked most of my life.

I am excited about the opportunity to represent our community as an electorate MP.

As a former police officer, working most of my career in Counties-Manukau, what I
learned was how to connect with people, how to listen and how to solve problems.

I understand the frustration of many in our community trying to advocate for common
sense but hitting unnecessary barriers.

That is why being an MP for New Zealand First, the party of common sense, is
important.

I look forward to the campaign trail, answering questions, and finding solution.

There are many big things still to be delivered in this term of government and I am continuing to work on aged care reform, response to organized crime, medicines reform, improving the later life for seniors, maternity care, ambulance services, police frontline and border security.

But, as I have seen, sometimes it is the small shifts to make the lives of hardworking Kiwi battlers a bit easier.

That is what I believe is the role of the electorate MP, delivering common sense where it counts, not just having good intentions.