Arboriculturist Matthew Paul has been selected by local party members to be National’s candidate in Port Waikato for the 2026 general election.
Mr Paul is a community-focused leader and current managing director of an arboricultural and environmental consulting firm based in Auckland. He is currently the chair of the Valley School board in Pukekohe and previously coached and managed youth football at Pukekohe AFC.
“I want to thank local party members for selecting me as their candidate. The hard work starts now to re-elect a National Government that is fixing the basics and building the future,” Mr Paul says.
“When National came to government three years ago the country was in deep economic trouble. Labour increased our debt to over $100b while pushing up inflation to its highest level in 32 years. That left Kiwis worse off.
“National is fixing the basics by ending wasteful spending and cutting taxes for low to middle income Kiwis which has reduced inflation and brought down interest rates saving Kiwis as much as $10,000 on their mortgage.
“With the war in Iran pushing up costs again, New Zealand needs National’s strong economic management. The alternative is a Labour, Greens, Te Pati Māori Government that will spend more, borrow more, and tax more - increasing prices for Kiwis at time when they need relief.
“Port Waikato is my home. I will be working hard every day in the run up to November 7 to re-elect a National Government and represent Port Waikato as its next National MP.”
