Wife's illness no bar to Gosche's run

Transport Minister Mark Gosche has confirmed he will run again for his Maungakiekie seat again even though his wife, Carol, remains seriously ill.

She has been in Wellington Hospital for the past month after suffering a brain haemorrhage.

"I need to spend as much time as possible with Carol in Wellington until she can be brought home to Auckland," Mr Gosche said yesterday.

"However, I will be campaigning to win Maungakiekie for Labour once again.

"While I will not be in the electorate as much as I would like during the election campaign, the people of Maungakiekie know that I have worked hard for them over the years. I am sure they will understand my decision to be with Carol at this time."

Mr Gosche is on leave from his ministerial portfolios. Fellow Labour MPs have been running electorate clinics on his behalf, and his electorate office is operating as usual.

Full coverage:
nzherald.co.nz/election

Election links