When questions about the Papakura selection were put to Stanford, Chatterton turned and left. Haslam, who was a member of the Papakura electorate committee, described Chatterton and Lu as the “most experienced” candidates. However, she explained her role as a “co-opted member” and had been approved by the National Party board to be a delegate, alongside two others who were co-opted. When contacted by the Herald, National’s Papakura electorate committee chairwoman Adrienne O’Connor said, “I’m not commenting on anything. She later referred the Herald to National Party secretary Jo de Joux.

Source: New Zealand Herald April 01, 2026 19:32 UTC