Lawyer Rob Moodie to stand for United Future

Lawyer Rob Moodie, who featured in the "Berryman bridge" case, is standing for the United Future Party in Rangitikei.

Party leader Peter Dunne said Dr Moodie was a fine candidate with a high profile, and a "true champion of justice and the rights of individuals to achieve justice".

Dr Moodie, who stood for United Future in Wellington Central at the last election, said the party provided a voice and a force for families that was otherwise completely missing in Parliament.

"United Future is the family party and it's proven its credentials in the past three years, also notably with its zero tolerance for drugs -- an issue I am passionate about," he said.

"It is crucial for New Zealand going forward that either Labour or National has a support partner that offers stability, but also knocks off their rough edges and extremes."

Dr Moodie represented former King Country farmers Keith and Margaret Berryman in a long legal battle after they were found partly responsible when a bridge on their property collapsed in 1994 killing a beekeeper who was crossing it.

He is not on United Future's party list of MPs, and whether he gets into Parliament depends entirely on winning the Rangitikei seat.

It is held by National's Simon Power who had a 5315 majority at the last election.

- NZPA