James Paterson

I was there. It was interesting. I submitted a remit (policy idea) which made it through my local electorate vote to head off to the NZF Team, who put it in the remit selection to be presented at the conference. I was kinda stunned it made it through so I thought I’d better go up and present it to the conference in person, rather than have it presented by someone else. Plus, I’m sick of just observing and commenting from the sidelines with my “feels”. I wanted to go and experience the vibe myself. Eyeball them so-to-speak. What I heard and saw (for the most part) cemented my decision to back NZF at this election. Do I agree with all their policies? Not necessarily. And that’s ok. What I saw were a bunch of everyday Kiwis who’ve come together because they’re sick of the status quo. I saw some fellow travellers @pennymarienz @rosey_nz @LeeSmithNZ @aniobrien but was too shy to introduce myself. ☺️ I did say Hi to Alistair Boyce (owner of The Backbencher in Wgtn) - stoked to discover he’s running as a Candidate in Hutt South. I sat as a a few hundred Kiwis debated (at times fiercely) policy remit proposals. It was democracy in action. I saw multiple generations, but mostly Gen X. I saw genuine engagement, interest and passion from candidates and the Leadership. Was I jumping up and down and waving my NZ flag at every opportunity? Absolutely not. I’m not there. But being there reminded me of why I voted for NZF last election. No other party was remotely interested in re-examining the Covid response via a Phase Two enquiry. No other party gives a shit about the vaccine injured. No other party wants NZ to withdraw from the WHO, or stands up against trans-extremists intent on pushing and promoting their so-called rights at the expense of the rights of women and girls. Or fights for our choice to choose whether we want fluoride in our water. Or stands up against GE food tech. Or questions why the Indian FTA has such a large immigration component, mentions UNDRIP, the Paris Agreement or requires us to commit to $33Bil of business investment in India. I know many of you dislike and mistrust Winston and I’m sure I’ll cop the standard flack and be labelled a “Firstie”. All good. I haven’t posted this to sway or convince anybody. I just thought I’d report back on the experience as someone who has tentatively dipped her toe into the political realm ☺️