Five candidates with Indian roots among 55 contestants
Venkat Raman
Auckland, July 16, 2023
ACT has become the first political party to announce its list of candidates contesting in the general election due to be held on October 14, 2023, along with their ranking.
The list features five persons of Indian origin, tracing their roots to India and Malaysia.
Among them are Dr Parmjeet Parmar (Pakuranga, Auckland), Ash Parmar (Hamilton East), Rahul Chopra (Mt Roskill, Auckland), Elaine Naidu-Franz (Rangitata) and Pothen Joseph (Mangere, Auckland),
Farmers, legal experts, business executives, traders, mothers and fathers, army lieutenants, policy experts, small business owners, teachers, engineers and licensed firearms owners are among the candidates on the ACT Party list announced by Leader David Seymour in Auckland a short time ago.
The Rising Star
He said that the List, comprising 55 names, represents almost all sectors of the economy and that all of them share a common vision for real change.
“New Zealanders from all walks of life are demanding real change. Today, ACT has announced a talented and diverse team of Kiwis equipped to deliver it,” he said.
ACT is the rising star over New Zealand’s horizon, registering the fastest growth over the past three years, increasing its rating on opinion polls. The mood in the Party’s inner circles is one of positivity and optimism. The expectation is that it will out-perform itself in the ensuing election and emerge as the largest Third Party.
Mr Seymour said that ten ACT MPs were elected in 2020 against all odds and every political commentator’s prediction.
“This term, they have defied expectations in the best way, being far and away the most disciplined and high-performing caucus in Parliament and growing the Party to the point where we will add more MPs in 2023,” he said.
Party President Henry Lynch said that ACT has been the fastest-growing political movement in New Zealand for the past six years and that its membership grew by 155% since 2021.
“Today’s list shows that ACT is attracting successful New Zealanders from all different backgrounds who know that ACT is the party of real change. If you share ACT’s vision for a multi-ethnic liberal democracy where working Kiwis aren’t punished, but get ahead, and where families are proud to live and raise their children, then this is the team you want representing you in Parliament in 90 days’ time,” he said.
Changing course
Mr Seymour claimed that ACT’s candidates are a true representation of New Zealand society.
“Kiwis reading the news today see a country in terminal decline. Almost every part of life is becoming more expensive, less productive, and less safe. This year’s election cannot be about just changing the government, it needs to be about changing the direction of the country.
“ACT has put forward policies that address the cost-of-living crisis, restore law and order, get rid of divisive race-based policy, and make it easier to build affordable homes. ACT’s economic policies will restore the productivity and prosperity that New Zealand needs to move forward as a first-world nation with the sort of health and education services that people expect and deserve,” he said.
Mr Seymour, the new team will usher in ‘real change on the agenda.’
“New Zealand cannot afford to go through another term of Labour running down every aspect of society followed by National slowing the decline but ultimately keeping things the same. History tells us the courage to reverse Labour’s policies and have real change will not exist unless ACT is a big part of the next government,” he said.
The Candidates
Following is ACT’s List of Candidates with their ranking: 1. David Seymour (Epsom) 2. Brooke van Velden (Tāmaki) 3. Nicole McKee (Rongotai) 4. Todd Stephenson (Southland) 5. Andrew Hoggard (Rangitikei) 6. Karen Chhour (Upper Harbour) 7. Mark Cameron (Northland) 8. Simon Court (Te Atatū) 9. Parmjeet Parmar (Pakuranga) 10. Laura Trask (Banks Peninsula) 11. Cameron Luxton (Bay of Plenty) 12. Antonia Modkova (Panmure-Ōtāhuhu) 13. Ash Parmar (Hamilton East) 14. Toni Severin (Christchurch East) 15. Ben Harvey (Selwyn) 16. Rob Douglas (Tukituki) 17. Chris Baillie (Nelson) 18. Christine Young (Tauranga) 19. Zane Cozens (Taupō) 20. Leo Foley (Northcote) 21. Anna Yallop (North Shore) 22. Lily Brown (Mana) 23. Mike McCormick (Papakura) 24. Andy Parkins (Hutt South) 25. Felix Poole (Maungakiekie) 26. Rahul Chopra (Mt Roskill) 26. Michael Howe (East Coast) 28. Ollie Murphy (Mt Albert) 29. Elaine Naidu Franz (Rangitata) 30. Keith Griffiths (Kaikōura) 31. Rae Ah Chee (Takanini) 32. Susan Stevenson (Hamilton West) 33. Anto Coates (Kaipara Ki Mahurangi) 34. Michael McCook (East Coast Bays) 35. Juan Alvarez de Lugo (New Lynn) 36. Pawel Milewski (Napier) 37. Neil Christensen (Port Waikato) 38. Dion Anderson (List) 39. Simon Angelo (Whangaparāoa) 40. Sean Beamish (Waitaki) 41. Scott Boness (Auckland Central) 42. Susy Bretherton (Whangarei) 43. Ross Campbell (Waimakariri) 44. Simon Casey (Wairarapa) 45. Jake Curran (Kelston) 46. Scott Donaldson (Invercargill) 47. Matthew Fisken (Christchurch Central) 48. Darren Gilchrist (Waikato) 49. Mike Harnett (Palmerston North) 50. Pothen Joseph (Mangere) 50. Kelly Lilly (West Coast Tasman) 51. Kevin Matthews (List) 52. Burty Meffan (Taieri) 53. Marten Rozeboom (Rotorua) 55. Sean Rush (Ōtaki).
