Barry sows seeds of new political career

Former broadcaster and gardening guru Maggie Barry. Photo / Supplied

Former broadcaster and gardening guru Maggie Barry is putting her name forward to contest the National party's nomination for the byelection in the Botany seat vacated by the resignation of former Cabinet Minister Pansy Wong.

When asked if people might be surprised by the move, she said: "Probably, I don't know.

"A lot of people have said to me, 'Which party are you standing for?' which is interesting because I've never stood for a political party before, or been a member."

So why now, and why National?

"Because I think the party has the credentials to lead the country out of the recession, and I feel I have a contribution to make as a member of parliament."

"I resigned from my journalism activities late last year. I was working for Radio Live. I resigned and at that point I felt free to do what I've never done before, which is to join a party and, in this case, stand for a byelection.

"I don't feel that it's tainting as such. I feel I've made a decision and that's the way it is and I guess if people don't like the idea of me standing for the National Party, they're entitled to that view.

"I'm also entitled to pursue the things I believe in and that's what I'm doing."

Ms Barry, 51, said she was not asked to stand by anyone and it was entirely her own decision.

She was optimistic about her chances, but "it's up to the party at electorate level and I'll just have to see how this very competitive race pans out".

She would move to Botany if she won the selection.

The party is expected to announce the winner of the nomination at the end of the month.

Ms Barry joins a dozen others contesting the seat, including former Labour Party member Daniel Newman, former Auckland City Councillor Aaron Bhatnagar, Auckland councillor Jami-Lee Ross, and regional policy chairman Darron Gedge. Botany is a strong National seat and whoever wins the nomination will be highly likely to win the byelection on March 5 and enter Parliament.

In 2008, Pansy Wong won 56 per cent of the total 30,919 votes, giving her a majority of 10,872 votes.

However that was below the proportion of total votes that went to the National Party (61 per cent).

It has the highest proportion of people born overseas (49 per cent). One-third in the electorate are of Asian ethnicity.

Nominations for National close at noon today.

There will be a pre-selection round where a nine-person committee whittles the field down to a maximum of five, who then hold meet-the-candidates meetings.

MEDIA MOVERS

Former broadcasters/journalists in parliament:

Pam Corkery
Fronted interview shows and documentaries on television and was a talk-back host on Radio Pacific. Entered Parliament as a list MP for the Alliance Party in 1996, serving one term.

Kris Faafoi
Former TVNZ political journalist. Entered Parliament last year for the Labour Party after winning the Mana byelection.

Brendon Burns
Former Press Gallery reporter mainly for the Press, and former editor of the Marlborough Express. Stood in Kaikoura in 2002 and 2005. Won Christchurch Central seat for the Labour Party in 2008.

Maggie Barry
Former Radio Live and Radio NZ host, presented several TV shows, documentaries and her own garden show. Running for the National nomination for the Botany byelection.