Rotorua swings to National

Published: 8:01PM Saturday November 08, 2008 Source: ONE News

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National has taken the swing seat of Rotorua with a large majority over Conservation Minister Steve Chadwick.

National candidate Todd McClay has won 16,477 votes, nearly five thousand ahead of Chadwick.

Chadwick, who has been MP for Rotorua for the past nine years, saw her majority slashed to 662 in the 2005 election and National won the party vote then.

Chadwick was elevated to Cabinet as Minister of Conservation, Women's Affairs and Associate Health Minister in Helen Clark's last re-shuffle and is now 30 on the party list.

Todd McClay, the son of former National minister Roger McClay, owns an international communications and lobbying company and has been a property developer.

Crime has been the biggest issue for Rotorua voters, according to a poll conducted by The Daily Post a week before the election.

Of 500 people the newspaper questioned on the streets of Rotorua, 205 or 41% said crime, in particular gangs, was the major issue facing Rotorua. However 25% - 125 people - said they didn't know what the main issues were. The two main parties' candidates both told the paper they were not surprised crime was the biggest concern.

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