Candidate flush after fundraiser

BIG NIGHT: Wairarapa's Labour candidate Kieran McAnulty (right) and Wellington Central MP Grant Robertson share the podium during the Saturday night dinner and auction. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Money is no longer an object for the Labour Party hierarchy in Wairarapa, at least as far as paying campaign expenses for its candidate Kieran McAnulty.

A hugely successful campaign dinner and auction held last Saturday has taken care of the finances and allows Wairarapa Labour to get on with the business of looking after the people on the ground who are canvassing the electorate, Mr McAnulty said yesterday.

He said with 100 people attending the dinner at $70 a head and the success of the auction a "huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders".

Most auction items sold for far more than anticipated with all art work reaching or exceeding expectations.

Among the collectors items a genuine campaign badge from the 1935 election which saw Labour elected to office for the first time sold for $500 and a rare set of Federation of Labour cufflinks fetched $400.

Highest price on the night was $1200 paid to secure a house concert by Barry Saunders of the Warratahs.

Mr McAnulty said the panel discussion involving MPs Damien O'Connor and Grant Robertson with Council of Trade Unions president Helen Kelly and former Masterton mayor Bob Francis had been well received.

Mr O'Connor had given Labour's vision for primary industry, Mr Robertson spoke on the need for greater regional development, Mrs Kelly had talked about the need for employers to pay staff a fair wage and thereby encourage greater productivity and Mr Francis had spoken about projects that could enhance Wairarapa.

The greatest applause was for musician Stefan Brown with his rendition of Big Norm.