Jami-Lee Ross (25) takes National nomination for Botany
It's back to the garden for Maggie Barry as youthful Super City councilor clinches nomination.
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Jami-Lee Ross (25), a member of the conservative Citizens & Ratepayers block on the Auckland Council, will represent National in the Botany by-election.
Mr Ross won a fifth-round ballot against broadcaster Maggie Barry after other contenders, including businessman and former Auckland City councilor Aaron Bhatnagar, were knocked out in previous rounds.
Cabinet minister Steven Joyce was on hand as sixty party delegates cast their votes in the selection process. A majority of 31 was required to clinch the nomination.
The Botany by-election, to be held on March 5, was called after cabinet minister Pansy Wong resigned in the wake of a travel expenses scandal.
Ms Wong won the south-east Auckland seat - notable for new developments that sit McMansions on mini sections, and its sizable Asian and South African communities - with a majority of more than 10,000 at the 2008 general election.
If Mr Ross wins the by-election, he will become parliament's youngest MP.
He currently represents the Howick ward on the Auckland Council, which includes the suburbs of Botany Downs, Howick and Pakuranga, and serves as C&R's co-leader.
Union organiser Michael Wood will stand for Labour in Botany.
NBR staff
Thu, 27 Jan 2011
Thu, 27 Jan 2011
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Jami-Lee Ross (25) takes National nomination for Botany
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