Water debate on MP’s list

Lawrence farmer Mark Patterson will be pushing for a more balanced debate on the quality  of  rural water when he enters Parliament as a New Zealand First MP.

Yesterday it was business as usual on his farm but today he will fly  to Wellington as a new MP.

Mr Patterson will enter Parliament as a list MP after being placed seventh on the party list, ahead of high-profile former Labour MP Shane Jones and broadcaster Jenny Marcroft.

It was a bittersweet moment for Mr Patterson when he realised the number of NZ First MPs had been reduced from the 2014 election.Invercargill MP Ria Bond did not make it back through the list.

Asked about his priorities, Mr Patterson said he would be the rural voice for the party and was under no illusions about what his task involved.

The water debate needed to be held.

"The farming community were too defensive and we faced a backlash. I will play a role in having a better understanding and dialogue on the important issue of clean water."

Another  of his goals was to have more value added to products exported from New Zealand. Good work was being done by some exporters but more could be achieved, he said.

Mr Patterson’s interest in becoming an MP evolved through his work opposing the Silver Fern  Farms merger with Chinese company Shanghai Maling.

He started working with NZ First leader Winston Peters and his involvement with the party had evolved into becoming a candidate and an MP.

Mr Patterson had previously been involved with the National Party.