Dannevirke: National urges rural voters to get out on big day

National Party faithful were out on the streets of Dannevirke on Tuesday. Photo / Christine McKay

Door knocking and pressing the flesh on High St was all part of the National Party's drive to reassure local voters Dannevirke matters, Wairarapa candidate Alastair Scott said last week.

With support from two former MPs, Napier's Chris Tremain and Waimakariri's Kate Wilkinson and a dozen others, Mr Scott said the visit was all about showing support for rural communities.

"National continues to support the rural sector," he said.

For Mr Tremain retirement from Parliament means campaigning without the worry of defending an electorate seat.

"I'm enjoying this," he said. "It's great to be able to support good candidates, especially without the face-to-face campaigning which came with standing myself."

Mr Tremain was also pushing the message that rural and provincial New Zealand was at National's core.

"The issues for voters here are the same as elsewhere," he said. "They want to see the economy continue to grow, wages rise and unemployment fall. The strengthening of our economy is pivotal and work still needs to be done."

Mr Scott also visited the Infracon worker's hub in Woodville and said he was pleased it had received good support from the Tararua District Council.

Tim Delaney, the local National Party organiser told the Dannevirke News Mr Scott had "hit the ground running."

"The key to this election is getting the party voters out," he said. "In this part of the electorate in 2011, 1000 people who normally vote National just didn't vote because they thought we were home and hosed. But under MMP every vote counts.

"Complacency is a big worry and without all those National voters making the effort we could end up with a five-party hodge podge and a disaster for the country. We either have one team leading the country or a five-horse team all driving in different directions."

Mr Delaney and his team is focusing on ringing voters, but he said he could use more volunteers to help: "There are quite a few calls to make."