Key electorate: Clevedon

By HELEN TUNNAH

If Judith Collins holds Clevedon with a respectable majority in three weeks, she might consider sending a quick "thank you" note to the man she ousted, Warren Kyd.

The Remuera lawyer has been campaigning fulltime since she controversially won her party's nomination in April, and is expected to keep the National-leaning south Auckland seat.

To avoid the carpetbagger label, she is selling her Remuera home and moving her family to Clevedon.

But her task has also been made considerably easier by Mr Kyd's reaction to defeat.

Unlike his deselected West Auckland colleague Brian Neeson, the 15-year veteran MP has remained loyal to the party which dumped him, shunning any public show of discontent and calling for National voters to unite behind Ms Collins, a Waikato farmer's daughter.

"Warren has been extremely gentlemanly and gracious about it," says Ms Collins, who says she feels no added pressure to win after toppling Mr Kyd.

"I always feel pressure to prove myself. I do not countenance failure in myself because I would let down too many people."

The electorate is based on the former seat of Hunua, and stretches from Drury and Papakura, east to Orere and north into south Howick.

Although Mr Kyd had a 5000-plus majority in Hunua, boundary changes have sliced about 3000 National votes from the seat.

It has a complex, and at times conflicting, mix of city and rural values, and is ethnically diverse, with strong Maori (17 per cent) and Asian (11 per cent) populations.

Ms Collins and her only serious challenger, Labour candidate Dave Hereora, a union official, agree that the major concern for locals is law and order - particularly increasing youth crime and the security fears held by the elderly.

Ms Collins is unconcerned her voice might be lost as an opposition MP if National's poll ratings do not improve.

"If we are in opposition, it'll be easier for me to make my mark. I won't have to bow and kowtow to some cabinet minister.

"I never sit on the fence. I do actually take a stand on issues and I will fight for people because I've had years of doing it and that's what they need."

The Pakeha mother of one is up against a Maori father of six.

When Mr Hereora asks the Herald to meet him at Manukau City's Burger King, he reckons he will be easy to spot. He'll be the only one wearing a suit.

He is easily found, but mainly because he's a tall, towering figure in a food hall crowded with children on their school holidays.

Mr Hereora is a serious family man. He and his wife, Faith, have six children - he has the youngest two with him - and he admits he would like another, a second daughter to balance the five boys.

Dorian, 9, and Jane, 7, whisper they're not sure Mum's too keen.

A Catholic and former altar boy, his children are his priority.

"We decided we wouldn't have a two-income family. We've always made sure someone has been home for them."

One of 10 children, he was raised by his grandparents in Tauranga before starting work at the local Affco meatworks, and becoming active in the union. After his grandparents died, he moved nearer to his parents in Manurewa, getting a job with the Service and Food Workers' Union.

"That's my passion, it always has been. I see a political journey as very similar, representing my people.

"I've always believed in supporting the struggle for workers and have always found that Labour is consistent with that struggle."

He stepped up his political activity after New Zealand First cleaned out Labour in the Maori seats in 1996, tying Maori policy input with more inclusion in decision-making, and a year later became Labour's Maori senior vice-president.

Mr Hereora's mana has been reflected in Labour's list.

He is ranked 38, the top candidate behind the incumbent MPs, meaning under Labour's present poll ratings, he is assured of a seat in Parliament no matter what happens in Clevedon.

"I am high on the list, but we are genuinely looking at opening an office here and taking the seat.

"The area needs some Labour representation."

He believes Ms Collins will suffer for upsetting Mr Kyd.

"I do not think it makes good sense to carpetbag a good constituent MP and I think that will be reflected in their core support.

"It's offering an opportunity for me."

Labour president Mike Williams said Mr Hereora had a rare ability to bring people together, both within Maoridom and across the races.

"He's a highly intelligent man, he's a very good organiser, he's a peacemaker. On a good day, he could win Clevedon."

Candidates

Glenn Archibald - Independent

David Arvidson - Christian Heritage

Brent Catchpole - NZ First

Judith Collins - National

Nick Corlett - Alliance

Sue Cowie - Greens

Dave Hereora - Labour

John Thompson - Act

Arthur Toms - Jim Anderton's Progressive Coalition

Electorate was previously called Hunua

1999 Result: National (majority 5195)

1996 Result: National (majority 5098)

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