Editorial: Women lead the way in fight for Whanganui electorate

Mark Dawson, Editor of Wanganui Chronicle

Congratulations must go to Harete Hipango on gaining the National Party candidacy for the Whanganui seat at Sunday's selection meeting.

It was a surprise result for some - including members of the local National Party - with dentist and district councillor Hadleigh Reid the early favourite on the back of his strong showing in the local body elections.

It might also be considered a brave move by National to choose a Maori woman to defend a seat they have held for the past 12 years; then again, perhaps a calculated decision to broaden the party's appeal.

It means the three declared candidates so far are all women - Ms Hipango, Steph Lewis standing for Labour and Nicola Patrick for the Greens. The old days of the prizefights between Chester Borrows and Hamish McDouall are now history.

Of course, the men may get a look in if Rod Bannister is chosen by New Zealand First; there is always the prospect of Act fielding a candidate and it's anyone's guess if the Conservative Party will repeat their 2014 fiasco of putting up a man who had never been to Whanganui ... and still hasn't.

Women leading the way here reflects a worldwide political trend - Angela Merkel in Germany; Theresa May in Britain; Jacinda Ardern as Labour's most preferred prime minister; and Trump in the White House (Ivanka, that is).

However, neither gender nor ethnicity are likely to be what counts in September's General Election.

The national mood will, as always, be a key factor but what the candidates and their parties can offer the Whanganui region should be at the forefront of voters' minds when they cast their ballot.

Economic development and its potential for increased prosperity across the board, and the desire to tackle health and social issues, particularly with an ageing population, should be the focus when we decide who will step into Mr Borrows' shoes.

No doubt the candidates will have plenty to say on those subjects.