Prime Minister Chris Luxon will announce an election date this week.
Louise Upston, Tim van de Molen and Barbara Kuriger want to serve another term as MPs in a National led government.
Louise Upston
Taupō MP Upston – one of the busiest members in the House with five portfolios – told The News this week she is standing.
The 54-year-old, who married long term partner Hamish Craig last month in Cambridge, has been an MP since 2008 and is into her sixth term.
She was returned in 2023 with almost 25,000 of the 43,500 votes cast for six candidates.
Van de Molen is aiming for his fourth term as Waikato MP – an electorate described as the country’s richest dairying region covering parts of Hamilton and Cambridge and including Morrinsville, Huntly and Matamata.
Tim van de Molen
The 42-year-old, who lives in Tamahere with wife Hilary and their two children, grew up in Matamata and has a degree in psychology from Waikato University. He worked as a dairy, sheep and beef farmer and then as a banking agribusiness manager before entering Parliament.
Kuriger, MP for Taranaki-King Country, also confirmed she intends to seek re-election for a fifth term.
Speaking ahead of the party’s caucus meeting in Christchurch this week, Kuriger dismissed speculation about her future, saying she remains committed to serving her constituents.
“My selection’s not yet confirmed, but I’m planning on staying around.”
Barbara Kuriger
Kuriger, 65, who entered Parliament in 2014, holds one of the largest electorates in the country – a sprawling rural seat that includes Raglan to the north and will soon expand south to include Taumarunui.
It covers three regional councils and seven district councils. At the 2023 election she secured 24,760 votes to beat Labour’s Angela Roberts by 14,000. Since then, she has been deputy speaker of the House, a job she relishes.
She acknowledges the challenges of covering such a vast area.
“Yes, it’s big and you can’t be everywhere every day, but I love it. I wouldn’t swap it for some tiny little place, that’s for sure.”
Kuriger, who collected her gold card last year, is upbeat about continuing in politics suggesting that 65 is the new 45.
“When we were growing up, men retired at 60 and many passed away soon after. Life just isn’t like that anymore – there’s so much you can do at 65.”
VIPs: Waipā’s three MPs joined then mayor Susan O’Regan at the opening of Fieldays. From left, Louise Upston, Tim van de Molen and Barbara Kuriger. Photo: Mary Anne Gill
Kuriger also reflected on her enjoyment of parliamentary duties, particularly her role as assistant speaker.
“I love it. I haven’t had to chuck anyone out yet because I build respect. If I have to tell someone off, it’s because I’m operating from the rule book, not because I don’t like people.”
While the formal selection process is still underway, Kuriger says she has not been approached by anyone intending to challenge her for the seat.
“Last time we had an inkling there was a contest, but at the moment I’m not aware of anything specific.”
Because of the size of the electorate, Kuriger spends considerable time on the road, often splitting her time between her Taranaki farm and a base in Te Awamutu.
“Seventy per cent of the people I represent are within an hour of Te Awamutu,” she says. “It makes the job achievable.”
Kuriger’s commitment comes as Prime Minister Christopher Luxon prepares to announce the election date later this week, amid speculation that several long-serving MPs may retire.
For now, Kuriger says she is “pretty keen to stay around” and continue representing her rural community.
In the coming weeks she and husband Louis intend travelling to the south of the electorate – heading down the Whanganui River to the Bridge to Nowhere and Blue Duck Station on the banks of the Whanganui and Retaruke rivers.
“Every year we tend to do a great walk somewhere and this year we’ve decided the walk will be this epic tour of the Whanganui River.”
“I love the electorate, and I’m up for it to give it another go.”
National Party leader Chris Luxon visits Giltrap Agri-Zone Hautapu accompanied by National MPs Louise Upston and Tim van der Molen.
