A young Taranaki farmer has joined three Whanganui people in the fight to be the National Party's Whanganui candidate at September's election.
The four are dentist Hadleigh Reid, lawyer Harete Hipango, former Wanganui Chronicle general manager Andy Jarden and now 26-year-old Te Kiri farmer Warwick Fleming.
They got through the party's pre-selection process on March 11. Another Whanganui nominee, Derek McInnes, was unable to take part. He had not been a party member for the required six months and was not granted a waiver from that requirement.
In the pre-selection process the four had separate one-hour interviews, followed by difficult questions. They can expect more of the same in the next 12 days.
The party's long and detailed selection process is no cakewalk, acting electorate chairman Neil Walker said.