National has finished selecting its candidates for the 2017 General Election with the list ranking process now underway, Party President Peter Goodfellow says.

National’s candidate for Mana at the 2017 General Election will be Euon Murrell.

Bala Beeram has been selected to contest the Kelston electorate for National at the 2017 General Election.

Adrienne Pierce has been selected as National’s Palmerston North candidate for the 2017 General Election.

Ms Pierce is a successful businesswoman, community advocate, former nurse, and proud mum.

“I’m thrilled to have this opportunity and grateful to the National Party for its support,” Mrs Pierce says.

“I’ll be working hard to earn Palmerston North’s backing to be a strong advocate for the city in a National-led Government that gets results.

“Issues important to Palmerston North and the Manawatu are the issues that are important to Bill English and his united team.

“This National-led Government is delivering sustained economic growth, building for future growth, and looking after those families who struggle the most with change.

“Palmerston North is benefiting from this, with an increasingly diversified local economy. Our city plays a huge role in New Zealand’s primary industries and education exports, and I’ll be advocating loudly for more growth in these areas.

“This National-led Government is also investing heavily in modernising the Defence Force, keeping those vital jobs in our region.

“This growth gives National real choices so it can continue to invest in the areas that matter to Palmerston North, like improving schools, more healthcare access, and building vital transport infrastructure.

“I’ll be running a dedicated local campaign and I can’t wait to get out in the electorate and talk with locals about how Bill English and the National team are helping regional New Zealand achieve its full potential.”

The 2014 General Election saw National win the Party Vote in Palmerston North with a 4,200 vote majority.

“I’d like to thank Jono Naylor for his service as a Palmerston North-based List MP for the last three years and, like Jono, I’ll be working hard to ensure our city has a strong local voice in a National Government that gets results,” Mrs Pierce says. 

Matt Gregory has been selected as National’s Dunedin South candidate for the 2017 General Election.

Mr Gregory currently works as a Business Manager and Site Leader for ANZ Bank in Mosgiel. He has extensive experience in the banking sector, and has also served in the New Zealand Defense Force as a soldier and medic. Mr Gregory lives in Mosgiel with his wife Kylie and their young son Edwin.

“I’m proud to live in Dunedin South – it’s made up of some truly fantastic communities, so I’m excited about standing for National here,” Mr Gregory says.

“New Zealand and the Dunedin area is growing strongly, and we’re benefiting from the leadership National has shown in Government.

“As local MP, I would be a tireless voice for the Dunedin South electorate in a Government that is working to sustain that growth, build for growth, and act for the people most pressured by change.

“Dunedin South deserves a strong local voice in a Bill English-led National Government with a strong plan to make Kiwis better off at work and at home, with the means to achieve it.

“I’ll be running a vigorous campaign focused on the issues that matter to local families and businesses, like ensuring we continue to invest in health, housing, education, and vital transport infrastructure.”

The Dunedin South Electorate covers South Dunedin, Mosgiel, Outram and stretches inland to Middlemarch and the Longburn Reservoir. National won the party vote at the 2014 General Election with a close to 2,500 vote majority.

National has chosen Andrew Falloon to contest the Rangitata electorate at the 2017 General Election. 

Originally from Ashburton, Mr Falloon was born and raised in the electorate. He has extensive experience in government and government relations in New Zealand and currently works as an Associate Director at the New Zealand Bankers Association.

“It’s a great honour being chosen by local National members to run for Parliament in my home electorate,” Mr Falloon says.

“Rangitata, or Mid and South Canterbury, is deeply a part of who I am and my family’s history. I know our communities well – their aspirations, and the challenges they face.

“National has backed regions like ours through economic and natural crises, helping people to get back on their feet, get into jobs, all while getting New Zealand back into surplus.

“The Rangitata electorate benefits from National’s responsible financial management because it gives us real choices so we can invest in the areas that matter to local families.

“National is focused on sustaining growth, building for future growth, and helping those people most pressured by change.

“Bill English and his united team understand the needs of the Rangitata electorate, and I will be working hard to earn the trust of our local communities to represent them in a National team that will build on the successes of the last few years.

“I’d also like to acknowledge retiring MP Hon Jo Goodhew. Jo has been a fierce advocate for our area and regional New Zealand, and I wish her and her family the best for the future.”

Rangitata covers Mid and South Canterbury from Ashburton down to Timaru, and across inland to the base of the Southern Alps at the northern tip of the Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. National has held the seat since its creation in 2008, and at the last election won the Party Vote with an over 12,000 vote majority.

Biographical Notes: Andrew Falloon

A fourth generation Ashburtonian, Andrew Falloon was born and raised in the electorate.He graduated from the University of Canterbury with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.

After University, Andrew worked in several roles in Parliament, including as a researcher and advisor for Hon Rodney Hide both in Opposition and Government, Hon Phil Heatley, and as a Senior Advisor for five years for Hon Steven Joyce.

Outside of work, Andrew has volunteered for the New Zealand Community Patrols and been a member of the Asia New Zealand Foundation – Leadership Network. He is married to the very loving and supportive Rose.

National has selected two new Auckland candidates, with Agnes Loheni in Mangere and Katrina Bungard in Manurewa.

Ms Loheni, of Samoan descent, runs a successful Pacific clothing brand. Mrs Bungard is a teacher and Head of Department at Elim College, and serves on the Counties Manukau District Health Board.

“Mangere is a vibrant and positive place, with hard-working families and businesses succeeding not locally but around the world,” Ms Loheni says.

“National believes in Mangere, which is why it is investing in vital infrastructure like roading and new schools, improving housing, and improving social services.

“I have extensive ties to Mangere so I am really excited to be running here to give our communities the strong National voice they deserve.”

Mrs Bungard says she is honoured to be selected and is looking forward to getting out on the campaign trail for National in Manurewa.

“Bill English and his united National team are working hard to grow the local Manurewa and Auckland economy, build for future growth, and support people most pressured by change.

“Manurewa is getting ahead under National, and it deserves an MP that is aspirational for the area, understands local issues, and knows what it takes to get ahead.”

Biographical Notes: Agnes Loheni

Agnes Loheni, 45 years old of Samoan descent was born and educated in Auckland. She lives in Auckland with her husband and their five children.

Agnes is an accomplished business woman in the manufacturing, export and retail sector as an owner of the Pacific fashion brand called MENA. Established fifteen years ago as a home business in Samoa, the business expanded its operation to Auckland 10 years ago to expand its wholesale and export channels. In 2010, the business was awarded the MIT Pacific Business Trust ‘Pacific Exporter’ Award.

Passionate about growing Pacific success and enterprise, Agnes provides her time freely to mentor small business owners and is regularly asked to share her business journey at community, school or business networks events.

In between raising her family and building a business, Agnes completed her Bachelor of Engineering (Chemical & Materials) degree from the University of Auckland and will be graduating this May.

Biographical Notes: Katrina Bungard

Katrina Bungard was born and raised in Auckland. She and her husband Mark have been married for 13 years and have two sons, Nathan and Samuel.

After completing a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Fine Arts at The University of Auckland (2005), Katrina studied at The University of Otago where she completed a Bachelor of Teaching degree (2007). Katrina has since completed a number of other tertiary qualifications, including most recently two post graduate qualifications in Educational Leadership.

Katrina has been employed in educational leadership since 2009 as a Head of Department at Elim Christian College. She is also currently the Deputy Chair of the Howick Local Board, and an elected member of the Counties Manukau District Health Board.

Katrina is a child cancer survivor, having lost her left leg to bone cancer (Osteosarcoma) at age 11. She attributes her passion to serving her community to her experiences as a child and to her involvement with a range of cancer support charities over the years, including Canteen and Camp Quality. In 2013 Katrina also started her own local cancer support network Can-Care East.

Outside her teaching, local government and community roles, Katrina enjoys spending time with her family and their two small dogs

Carolyn O’Fallon has been selected as National’s Rimutaka candidate for the 2017 General Election.

Ms O’Fallon is currently a principle advisor for a central government department, and formerly the Director of Pinnacle Research & Policy where she led projects for several government agencies for nearly 20 years.

“I’m really excited to have this opportunity and grateful to the local National members for their encouragement and support,” Ms O’Fallon says.

“The Rimutaka electorate is getting ahead under National, and it deserves an MP that is aspirational for the hardworking local families and businesses.

“I’ll be running a strong campaign for Rimutaka and National to earn the right to join a united Bill English-led team that is focused on getting results for Rimutaka and New Zealand.

“Only National knows what it takes to grow the economy, get Kiwis into work, lift incomes and tackle devastating natural disasters.”

Rimutaka is a mixed rural and urban electorate centered on Upper Hutt, stretching from Avalon and Naenae in the south, to Te Marua, Kaitoke, and Cloustonville in the north.

The 2014 General Election saw National win the Party Vote in Rimutaka with a majority of 3,000.

Paulo Garcia has been selected by local party members as National’s New Lynn candidate for the 2017 General Election.

Mr Garcia is a lawyer with over 20 years’ experience. Originally from the Philippines, Mr Garcia has lived in New Zealand for over a decade and considers himself a proud Kiwi Pinoy. He co-founded the New Zealand Philippines Business Council and in 2012 was appointed an Honorary Consul-General for the Philippines.

“It’s a great honour to be chosen by National and especially our local membership here in New Lynn,” Mr Garcia says.

“One of the things that drew me to New Zealand was its reputation as a place where anyone who worked hard and cared about their community could get ahead.

“New Lynn is full of people who live this attitude. It’s a community I’ve come to know well, a really positive mix of born-and-bred New Zealanders through to brand new Aucklanders.

“I’ll be working hard to earn their trust to serve as a strong local voice in a National Government that knows how to deliver.

“I’m standing for National because it’s a party that welcomes diversity and understands the needs of New Zealanders of all backgrounds no matter where you live or where you’re from.

“Bill English and his team understand the needs of Auckland and New Lynn well. Because of their leadership, people here are getting ahead, with incomes rising and businesses growing.

“I’ll be running a strong campaign to join a Government that is growing the city’s economy, building the infrastructure we need for growth, and supporting those most in need.”

Biographical Notes: Paulo Garcia

Paulo is a lawyer with over 20 years’ experience. Originally from the Philippines, he moved here over a decade ago, requalifying and working for various firms before establishing his own practice – GarciaLaw.

Paulo has been a solicitor volunteer for the Eden Albert CAB since 2007 – a role that has expanded to the service of four other CABs.

In 2008, with a handful of friends in business, Paulo founded the New Zealand Philippines Business Council. Subsequently, he was appointed an Honorary Consul General for the Philippines in 2012.

Paulo has been married and in his own words “in love” with Malu for 26 years. They have 4 daughters and together they enjoy the outdoors, long drives and fishing. He is a keen cook and understands the immense value of diplomacy over the dinner table.

Harete Hipango has been selected by local party members as National’s new Whanganui candidate for the 2017 General Election.

Ms Hipango was raised and lives in Whanganui, and is mana whenua of the area (Te Atihaunui a Paparangi, Ngati Apa and Nga Rauru). Currently working as a lawyer, she has worked extensively in general practice (both public and private) in areas including family, mental health, youth justice, child welfare, criminal, Maori land and mediation. She is a proud mum of three adult children. 

“I’m really excited to have this opportunity and grateful to the local National members for their support,” Ms Hipango says.

“The people and places that make up the Whanganui electorate are getting ahead under this National-led Government.

“Bill English and his team understand the needs and concerns of regional New Zealand, and I’ll be working hard over the next few months to ensure Whanganui retains a strong voice in a National-led Government that is delivering results.

“I’d also like to take this opportunity to thank Chester Borrows for his service. He has been an outstanding and dedicated local representative for our area and I wish him and Ella well for the future.

"I can’t wait to hit the campaign trail to talk with locals about how Bill English and the National Government is growing the economy, building for growth, and supporting those most in need.”

The Whanganui electorate covers the Southern section of Taranaki, stretching from the outskirts of Opunake in the west across to Whanganui City in the east, and includes Hawera and Stratford. It has been held by National and Chester Borrows since 2005, and at the last election saw a Party Vote majority of close to 8,000.

Biographical Notes: Harete Hipango

Harete Hipango is a lawyer and proud Whanganui local. Both her and her husband Dean MacFater are mana whenua of the area, with Harete having affiliations with Te Atihaunui a Paparangi, Ngati Apa and Nga Rauru.

Currently working as a lawyer, Harete graduated from the University of Auckland with an LLB in 1991, and has worked extensively in general practice (both public and private) in family, mental health, youth justice, child welfare, criminal, Maori land and mediation. Since 2013, she has served on the Whanganui District Health Board. 

Harete considers her greatest achievement her three adult children – Paparangi, Keepa, and Roimata.