Pakuranga

Once an area of young families and first-home owners, Pakuranga has become increasingly wealthy, stable and conservative in the past 30 years.

Last year's Census showed it was one of six electorates with more than 10,000 people of Asian background. In 1998, 33 per cent of the electorate were born overseas compared with the national average of 17.5 per cent.

The number without qualifications (24.2 per cent) compares favourably with the national average (33.9 per cent), as does the number on benefits.

National's Maurice Williamson has held the seat since 1987 and is unlikely to lose it. His majority last time was 5314 ( 44.4 per cent of the vote).

Former track star Dick Quax stood for Act in 1999 and gained 12.5 per cent of the vote. He is on the list this time and this year's Act candidate, Andrew Jollands, will not have the recognition factor Quax had, meaning those Act voters may return to National.

Newcomer Michael Wood is standing for Labour and, at 22, is one of the party's youngest candidates.

Waitangi Day organising committee chairman Pita Paraone returns for New Zealand First, as does David Rose for the Greens.

Also contesting Pakuranga are Jonathan Ko (Christian Heritage Party), Meng Ly (Progressive Coalition), Ian McInnes (United Future) and Paul Protheroe (Alliance).

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