National's Scott Simpson Scores Big Majority For Newbie

Posted by Gold FM on 28/11/2011

Brand new National MP Scott Simpson is back on the road again saying 'thank you' for the vote of confidence given to him on Saturday with his resounding success at the ballot box.

He's worked hard throughout the election campaign travelling around to listen to the feedback from his electorate. He popped into our studios bright an early this morning with his van painted up with a big 'thankyou' sign and by this evening he'll be down in Wellington getting on with the job of being our local MP.

He took over as the National candidate after incumbent Sandra Goudie decided to call it a day this year. She'd held the seat since 2002.

Scott Simpson scored 53.9% of the Coromandel vote receiving 17, 225 votes, a majority of 11,800 with Labour's Hugh Kininmonth coming in second with 5425 votes. Green Party MP Catherine Delahunty received 5092 votes and Kevin Stone from New Zealand First was the next highest with 1983 votes.

The current Coromandel seat covers the Coromandel towns Whangamata, Whitianga and Thames. The Hauraki towns of Waihi, Paeroa and Ngatea. And Katikati sits on it's southern most boundary.

Here's what Scott Simpson had to say to Brian Gentil on the Gold FM Breakfast Show this morning.