Port Waikato

The rural farming electorate has voted in National for the past 30 years, so there should not be too many surprises this time.

That - along with boundary changes that remove Labour-supporting towns Huntly and Ngaruawahia, and add National-supporting towns such as Karaka, Patumahoe, Clarks Beach and Drury - has incumbent MP Paul Hutchinson feeling confident.

But Labour candidate Lesley Harry may win some support on healthcare issues - dear to the heart of gynaecologist Dr Hutchison.

Harry lives in Manukau City and works as an official for the New Zealand Nurses Organisation.

She has experience in representing nurses, midwives and others in the health sector.





The electorate has 60,000 residents and unemployment stands at 5.5 per cent.

Most people oppose the prison and dump that are planned for northern Waikato.

There are also concerns about roading, with the upgrading of State Highway 1 an important issue.

Hutchinson won the seat with a majority of nearly 4000 last election.

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