Mana News editor Joe Trinder

Yesterday I had the privilege of watching Rueben Taipari Porter at a meet the candidates in Kaiwaka Northland. First I noticed the audience were elderly conservative farmers  and I said to Rueben walking in “It looks like a tough crowd you’ve got some balls going in there to speak to that lot”.

I was wrong, very wrong the Kaiwaka community loved Rueben and many of the community came up and introduced themselves. Then I noticed something bizarre crowds started to gather around Rueben to get the opportunity to meet their friendly candidate. Mark Osborne wasn’t given the same reception or the other nine candidates.

This campaign is about dogs and here are the different dogs

Winston Peters -Attack Dog

Mark Osborne -Lap Dog

Willow-Jean Prime -Prime Dog

Rueben Taipari Porter –Under Dog

Rueben’s campaign is going extraordinary well on a shoe string budget he is punching above his weight. His speeches have been well received with applause even more so than Winston’s. Rueben comes across as a humble man connected with the land.

His opponents have access to parliamentary BMW’s and can fly in and out of the electorate using parliamentary privilege. Mark Osborne can call on a number of decision makers to influence the by-elections with new bridges.

I take my hat off to Rueben Taipari Porter he has exceeded many people’s expectations and impressed other political parties campaign teams.