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Ex-National MP Michael Laws Announces NZ First Waitaki Bid

7/2/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Michael Laws will announce his NZ First candidacy Friday morning on Sean Plunket’s The Platform broadcast.
Laws, an Otago regional councillor, will contest the Waitaki electorate for NZ First against incumbent National MP Miles Anderson.
He served as a National MP (1990-1996), defected to NZ First, and was Whanganui mayor.
Winston Peters declined comment, with Labour list MP Damien O’Connor also standing in Waitaki.

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Story summary

Michael Laws will announce his NZ First candidacy Friday morning on Sean Plunket’s The Platform broadcast.
Laws, an Otago regional councillor, will contest the Waitaki electorate for NZ First against incumbent National MP Miles Anderson.
He served as a National MP (1990-1996), defected to NZ First, and was Whanganui mayor.
Winston Peters declined comment, with Labour list MP Damien O’Connor also standing in Waitaki.