Maggie Barry makes National's by-election shortlist
Former broadcaster Maggie Barry has made it onto National's shortlist for the March 5 Botany by-election and is considered a strong contender for the safe seat.
Former broadcaster Maggie Barry has made it onto National's shortlist for the March 5 Botany by-election and is considered a strong contender for the safe seat.
Party president Peter Goodfellow said today 13 people stood for selection and the field had been narrowed down to five.
The final choice will be made on January 27 and Mr Goodfellow said it was a strong field.
However, Ms Barry is the only one with a high profile and her extensive radio, television and magazine experience is expected to give her the edge over Aaron Bhatnagar, Darron Gedge, Jami-lee Ross and Edward Saafi.
Under party rules, none of them can comment until the final selection is made.
Ms Barry needed dispensation to put her name up because those who want to run for Parliament usually have to have been party members for at least a year.
Ms Barry said before the selection process began she hadn't joined National earlier because she felt it would interfere with her role as a news broadcaster.
She resigned as a radio talkshow host late last year.
The by-election is being held because Pansy Wong resigned from Parliament over the travel expenses scandal.
She won the seat in the 2008 election with a majority of more than 10,000 and Labour, which is still to choose a candidate, isn't expected to put much effort or resources into trying to take it.
NZPA
Fri, 21 Jan 2011
Fri, 21 Jan 2011
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Maggie Barry makes National's by-election shortlist
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