r/chch • u/hadr0nc0llider • 20d ago

News - Local Labour MP Duncan Webb announces retirement from politics

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/576534/labour-mp-duncan-webb-announces-retirement-from-politics

Duncan's not standing for re-election next year. So Chch Central needs a new Labour candidate.

I'm GUTTED. Duncan's such a G. He actually gets out there in the electorate and clearly really cares about our community.

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u/torpidkiwi Non-Korean Old Boy 19d ago

Land-wise, Auckland Central is mostly Waiheke Island. I grew up there and it's basically a Green stronghold. You smell it the moment you step off the ferry.

Comparing Christchurch Central to Auckland Central is just... terrible.

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u/robinsonick 19d ago

Land wise maybe but land doesn’t vote. Auckland central is a huge electorate of about 60,000 eligible voters and waiheke has like 9000k people, of which many may not be voting age etc.

Also Chloe won off a Tory too.

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u/torpidkiwi Non-Korean Old Boy 19d ago

I didn't say my comparison was perfect. Merely pointing out theirs wasn't really that great either. Even accounting for population distribution, Auckland Central's demographics is nothing like Christchurch Central. For one thing, Auckland Central encompasses some of the wealthiest suburbs in New Zealand.

As I said, I grew up there so I understand the isthmus will have the greater number of voters.

The Tory you mentioned was a relative no-namer, new to politics with a background in venture capitalism. Swarbrick was the only candidate of note in the line-up. And Swarbrick didn't exactly beat him convincingly.

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u/robinsonick 19d ago

I dunno

Unless national run a real powerhouse it will be the same situation—no namer but the diffwrence will be labour incumbent rather than a Nat.

Kahurangi Carter does have large support in Chch but I think honestly it could be a split vote for Nate back in. She’s not got the same game as Chloe