Challenge to Papakura M.P.

Press, 11 September 1986, Page 2

Challenge to Papakura M.P.

PA Auckland National’s member of Parliament for Papakura, Mr Merv Wellington, is being challenged for the party’s nomination by his electorate chairman. Mr Peter O’Brien said yesterday he was seeking the nomination because soundings in the electorate had convinced him Papakura could fall to Labour if Mr Wellington remained the National candidate. Mr O’Brien said some electorate officials had resigned and members had become slow to pay subscriptions after Mr Wellington reversed his previous decision not to stand again. Nominations for the party’s Papakura candidate will close next week. The selection meeting is expected a fortnight or so later. Mr Wellington says he is not concerned about the challenge. He said he had no evidence that some electorate officials had resigned and that members had been slow to pay subscriptions after he reversed an earlier decision not to stand, as had been said by Mr O’Brien. Asked if he was worried about Mr O’Brien’s challenge, Mr Wellington said, “No, heavens no.” Mr Wellington has held the seat since it was introduced in 1978 and was previously the member for Manurewa. He said last year he would stand as an Independent, and subsequently that he would retire altogether, after being demoted by the then party leader, Mr Jim McLay.