Scott determined to pursue bid

SEEKING NOMINATION: Matahiwi Winery owner Alastair Scott, 48, will attempt to wrestle the National Party nomination from MP John Hayes.

Incumbent Wairarapa MP John Hayes is facing a challenge - from within his own party.

Businessman Alastair Scott, 48, who owns Matahiwi Winery on the outskirts of Masterton will attempt to wrestle the National Party nomination from Mr Hayes and contest the 2014 election as the party's nominee.

He confirmed yesterday he was seeking to be National's Wairarapa candidate and said while he was aware some National supporters were disappointed with Mr Hayes's performance as MP he would have put his name forward regardless of that.

Mr Scott said he did not know whether Mr Hayes intended to stand again anyway as he would have completed three parliamentary terms by next election, and Mr Hayes could not be contacted to confirm his future plans.

By completing three terms Mr Hayes qualifies for some retirement privileges, including travel allowances.

Mr Scott said he viewed his challenge as being similar to what an All Black selector would do in that the top team is refreshed from time to time and players are therefore "kept on their toes".

He went public three years ago saying he would seek the party's nomination for the 2011 election but later changed his mind and unsuccessfully sought to be become National's candidate for the Rimutaka seat.

Yesterday Mr Scott said he had been talked into taking that action but on reflection should have stuck to his original plan and was this time determined to pursue his bid for Wairarapa.

Mr Hayes holds Wairarapa with a huge majority.

He first won the seat in 2005 with a majority of 2752, increased that to 6758 in 2008 and again to 7135 in 2011.

The timetable for candidate selection has not yet been made public.

Mr Scott has belonged to the National Party since January, 2009 and has held several offices within the party.

He said Wairarapa needs a strong voice to promote new ideas, and an advocate to support its community and the "good people already doing great work in the region."

There were many wonderful things about Wairarapa "but with fresh leadership and new vision Wairarapa can do even better."

"We deserve stronger representation in Parliament and around the country.

"I want to see the region grow while also keeping intact the spirit of Wairarapa that makes us unique," Mr Scott said.

Apart from his ownership of the winery - which he bought as a dairy farm in 1998 and converted it into its present use - he is chairman of Henergy Cage Free Eggs, a trustee on the Wairarapa Regional Irrigation Trust and is a member of Wairarapa Development Group.

He sits on the board of directors for Transpower, is a trustee of the Scout Youth Foundation and a Massey University councillor.

Mr Scott was formerly managing-director for Credit Suisse First Boston as well as being a member of its senior executive and was a foundation senior executive of Meridian Energy when that company was formed in 1999.

He is a Bachelor of Business Studies and has a Graduate Diploma in Business Studies (Dispute Resolution) from Massey.

Mr Scott is also an associate member of the Arbitrators and Mediators Institute.

He and his partner Robyn Noble-Campbell have a blended family of six children aged from 11 to 20 years.