New MPs: Blumsky worried at attack on reputation

Mark Blumsky wants your understanding.

The new National list MP, whose reputation has taken a hammering after he was apparently assaulted on the way home from a central Wellington bar, says he is concerned perceptions of him may have changed based on one incident.

Blumsky says he wasn't drunk but there were witnesses who told television they helped National's under-the-weather candidate home that morning.

"If people are going to judge me on one incident, given the track record of what I've done for Wellington, then I'm sorry about that," he said.

Although Blumsky didn't have the numbers to win Wellington Central from Labour's Marian Hobbs, at 36 on National's list, he was always guaranteed a spot in the new National caucus.

Blumsky says one aim for his first term in Parliament is encouraging young entrepreneurs to stay in New Zealand.

The mayor of Wellington from 1995 to 2001, Blumsky is also looking to push for the capital's seven local authorities to be amalgamated into one council.

In the meantime, he is still playing down the controversy surrounding the July 23 assault and says he has fresh evidence about what may have happened that night.

Blumsky said the girlfriend of his alleged assailant had been "very talkative" and he planned to take the matter further.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY