List Candidates – Top 5 Ranking

Candidates seeking a top five place on the list were invited to provide some brief biographical details including 150 words on who they are and why they are standing.

Members will be invited to vote to rank these members in the coming weeks which will help determine the ranking of the candidates.

Bale Nadakuitavuki

Age: 26

Profession: Collections Associate and Social Media Ambassador

Electorate: Ohariu

Hello my name is Bale and I work for ANZ bank. I have been working for ANZ for over 7 years and have held different roles and varying levels of responsibility with both NZ, Australia and the social media team within ANZ.

I am a community volunteer, and an active volunteer in the volunteer Wellington group with various volunteering experience in Porirua, Newtown and Wellington central.

My approach when it comes to leadership is level headedness and balance. I have a warm personality that can bring people of all backgrounds and cultures together to see one vision. That vision is ‘United Future’ and what we as a party stand for. I believe a leader is someone that has the spirit of ‘firstness’ meaning they are the first to sacrifice, first to commit and first to put in the work.
This is what I bring to the table as a candidate.

Ben Rickard

Age: 39

Profession: Marketing Manager

Electorate: Bay of Plenty

I’m a passionate Kiwi who loves living here after a 10 year stint working in Europe. I strongly believe that a centrist, liberal party like ours can play an influential long-term moderating role on the major parties in government, red or blue.

There are a number of significant issues we face as a society, both locally and as a whole planet that UnitedFuture recognises and has common-sense, evidence-based solutions for: addressing wealth inequality (including housing affordability and a living wage for families); planning ahead for the effect of technology on our children’s future work prospects; environmental sustainability and climate change; and dealing with the way an increasingly connected world will affect our communities and our way of life.

I have two young kids and I’m in politics to ensure their future is full of opportunities and they’re given the same chance to thrive as previous generations of New Zealanders had. I first volunteered with the party in 1999 and joined the board in 2014 to help develop a long-term winning strategy.

Damian Light

Age: 33

Profession: Continuous Improvement Analyst

Electorate: Botany

I am a confident public speaker with a good understanding of our policies and vision. I’ve proudly represented UnitedFuture in four elections and recently as party president.

My job involves working with people from a broad range of backgrounds to address challenges and embrace opportunities. From leading teams to influencing reluctant individuals, I believe that this experience will translate well into government, working with other parties to achieve the best outcome for future generations. This means a fairer economy (with choice through income sharing and FlexiSuper), future proofing our environment against climate change and embracing the modern, multicultural NZ.

UnitedFuture brings fresh ideas to the challenges and opportunities of the modern NZ and we’ve proven we can deliver. I’m standing for election to ensure that the government is creating an environment where everyone can thrive, no matter who they are or where they are from.

John Foster

Age: 72

Electorate: Kaikōura

Educated at Canterbury University I have had an adventurous career as mostly a field exploration geologist but also of earthquake geo engineering analysis, hydro project and mine feasibility
planning, a environmental analyst and for 2 years a financial analyst working for a stockbroker and corporate division of a bank, working across all of New Zealand, Australia, SW Pacific Islands,
PNG and for a short time, Indonesia.

1999-02 I was a regional councillor serving on the West Coast Regional Council and last year 2016 stood for election to Environment Canterbury for the UnitedFuture Party with a plan of action to
solve the fresh water management problems of Canterbury.

These days I am capable of analysis of anything, everything, in application of a new theory of Everything, new Unity Theory Unity Physics, which fits neatly into a centrist social liberal UnitedFuture Party, its principles, themes and policy.

John Hubscher

Profession: Retired Sales and Marketing

Electorate: New Lynn

John Hubscher is a retired Sales and Marketing person has lived most his of life in Waitakere .He was a foundation Pupil of Kaurilands Primary School and Kelston Boys High School.

I believe United Future policies are in the best interest of New Zealand. They were the first political party to recognise the needs of new migrants and refugees families They recognised the needs of families especially when one party is working part time. United Future has worked successfully with both Labour and National in Coalition Govt .We look for common ground in Parliament.

NZ needs varies across the country but Housing, Transport and Employment training needs drastic attention as does the integration of our Multicultural community throughout the country. NZ is a fair minded country and may it so remain.

Kelleigh Sheffield-Cranstoun

Age: 39

Profession: Lead Maternity Care Midwife (contracted by Ministry of Health to be responsible for care of low-risk pregnant clients through pregnancy, birth, and the immediate postnatal period). 8 years tertiary education including a Bachelor of Arts (Auckland Uni), Bachelor of Midwifery, and post-graduate Diploma of Teaching.

Electorate: Mana
Please describe yourself and why you’re standing for election (in 150 words or less):

As a working mother I know that the critical core to any society is the wellbeing of people and their families. I work with women and families from across the income spectrum, from a fascinating diversity of cultures, who are in a variety of life stages. What is most compelling is that everyone, regardless of their background, seeks dignity, fairness, and opportunity. They seek just reward for a hard day’s work, they seek to be valued for their contribution to society, they seek recognition of special circumstances, they seek value in the services that their taxes pay for. Through my work, and my own struggles providing for my family, I bring an ability to listen to people and think about how to best give them opportunities to help them to help themselves. If we can promote the health, happiness and wellbeing of people and their families, the flow on effect to society as a whole is immeasurable.

Quentin Todd

Age: 57

Profession: Foreign Affairs Analyst

Electorate: Hamilton West

I have lived in a quiet tree lined street in Frankton (Hamilton West) for over 16 years. I have two cats, enjoy poetry, walking, history, and talking to my neighbours. I want to represent this electorate because I know the electorate has much greater potential than it currently has.

I believe in helping future proof new ways to live, work, and enjoy our beautiful landscapes. Therefore, my goal is to assist with three core issues facing us: Climate Change, Communities, and Commerce. Flexibility in ensuring our communities are served, protected, and enhanced, are my primary concerns. For example, flexibility in zoning Frankton could see a much greater use of land for residential use.

I have a Post Graduate Diploma in Political Science, a Bachelors Degree in Communication (Journalism). I am always seeking to understand complex events worldwide, as it will always complicate domestic strategies. I read, and write to communicate balance.

List Candidates – Ranking Outside Top 5

These candidates will be campaigning for list votes but wish to be ranked outside the top 5.