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Auckland, Sunday, July 9, 2017
ACT announced its Party List for the 2017 election today in Auckland.
The following is a statement issued by ACT Party President Ruwan Premathilaka.
ACT’s Party List displays the renewal of the party that has occurred over the last three years.
Our candidates showcase talent, youth, and diversity. They are committed to ACT’s values of freedom and personal responsibility.
ACT’s candidates will campaign across the country for the Party Vote.
As ACT MPs, they will fight to cut tax and red tape. They will expand choice in education and restore affordability to housing by reforming the Resource Management Act. They will welcome immigrants who embrace our values and positively contribute to New Zealand. They will provide both stability and spine to a centre-right government.
ACT’s top ten
David Seymour (Epsom)
David Seymour, Leader of ACT and Member of Parliament for Epsom, is the only millennial party leader in Parliament. Since 2014, Seymour has served as Parliamentary Under Secretary for the Ministry of Education in the National-led Government. His End of Life Choice Bill was drawn for debate this past June.
Beth Houlbrooke (Rodney)
Beth, ACT’s candidate for Rodney, is currently elected as Chair of the Rodney Local Board (Auckland Council). She has twice been elected into local government in 2013 and 2016. Beth has stood for ACT in two previous elections as well as serving on the Board for ACT New Zealand for the past four years and member since the Party’s conception.
Brooke van Velden (Auckland Central)
Brooke Van Velden, ACT’s candidate for Auckland Central, is a public relations and corporate affairs consultant with Exceltium, an Auckland based PR firm. She holds a joint Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Commerce degrees, majoring in economics, international trade, politics, and international relations from the University of Auckland. Brooke is an avid singer and currently resides in the city.
Bhupinder Singh (Manukau East)
Bhupinder Singh, ACT’s candidate for Manukau East, played professional cricket for the Auckland Aces from 2008-2013 and represented New Zealand A on their 2010 tour in Zimbabwe. He is currently head coach of the Papatoetoe Cricket Club. Bhupinder is also an executive at Ray White Real Estate
Stephen Berry (East Coast Bays)
Stephen Berry, ACT’s East Coast Bays candidate, has worked in the retail industry for 20 years and is currently employed in senior management for Countdown Supermarkets. Stephen has previously run as an ACT candidate in 2014 and as the Affordable Auckland candidate in the 2013 Mayoral race, finishing in third place. Stephen lives with his partner of nine years, John in Forest Hill.
Stuart Pederson (Tauranga)
Stuart Pedersen, ACT’s candidate for Tauranga, is a private investor with a background in economics and investment field. He is passionate about sailing and is an active volunteer with the Bay of Plenty Sailing Academy Trust. Stuart and his wife, Pamela, currently reside in Mt Maunganui.
Anneka Carlson (New Plymouth)
Anneka Carlson, ACT’s candidate for New Plymouth, a small health and fitness business owner and is currently studying for her business law degree. She also holds a diploma from AUT in health and fitness. Previously, Anneka spent two years as a Police Officer in west Auckland. Anneka is a passionate advocate for animal welfare, serving on the board of the North Taranaki SPCA. Along with the Cancer Society, Anneka runs a support group for men suffering with cancer.
Shan Ng (Mana)
Shan Ng, ACT’s candidate for Mana, is a commercial lawyer with a background in the ICT and telecommunication procurement and commercial sector. She holds a law degree from Cardiff University and has been admitted to the bar as barrister and solicitor in three jurisdictions, Malaysia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. Shan is fluent in four languages, including Cantonese, Malay, and Mandarin.
Sam Purchas (Dunedin North)
Sam Purchas, ACT’s candidate for Dunedin North, is a student at Otago University, studying a double major in microbiology and chemistry. Sam is the President of ACT on Campus and is heavily involved in the performing arts.
Toni Severin (Christchurch East)
Toni Severin, ACT’s candidate for Christchurch East, is a small business owner. She previously spent fourteen years working for the Canterbury Health Laboratories and holds a QTA in Immunology. Toni previously ran as an ACT candidate in 2008, 2011, and 2014 in Christchurch and currently serves on the Board of ACT New Zealand.
Note: Please read our print edition of July 15, 2017 issue for an analytical version.
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Photo Caption: ACT Leader David Seymour
