Labour picks McCann for Otaki

RED TEAM: Labour's Otaki electorate candidate Rob McCann, with sons Oliver, 8, front, and Robbie, 12, give his sign written car a spring clean.

Rob McCann is again Labour's Otaki electorate candidate.

He was given the nod over the other candidate, Penny Gaylor, by some senior party and local branch members at a selection meeting at the Waikanae Baptist Church on August 28.

Mr McCann, from Otaihanga, paid tribute to Ms Gaylor, who is a district councillor and who wants to become the next Kapiti representative on the Wellington Regional Council, saying she put up a sterling fight.

He was excited to be the candidate and receive the party's support.

"And it's an acknowledgement as well that we ran a good campaign in very difficult circumstances, in the last election.

"The phone wasn't really on the hook with voters last election and Labour didn't do well across New Zealand."

Mr McCann mustered 13,198 votes in the 2014 general election compared to National's Nathan Guy who clocked up 20,980 votes and retained the seat.

"Already things have changed significantly," Mr McCann said.

"Labour's decision to work with the Greens prior to the election already means the media are adding up the Labour and Greens totals in the polls, which changes the narrative.

"Suddenly the media are saying yes the election is there for the taking, and there could be a change of government.

"I don't think media were saying that in the last election, so it's a great position for us to be in.

"People are interested in the policies and what you've got to say, which is exciting."

Mr McCann hoped people would start looking at the policy differences between the two potential different governments.

"National's policies are very backwards for the regions and they don't seem to believe in investing in the regions.

"And all we need to do is for people to start looking at the issues, like housing, like water, they'll realise that if we want a sustainable future for ourselves and our kids, then there's going to be a change in government."