Bolger is PM

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 7, Issue 360, 30 October 1990, Page 1

Bolger is PM

King Country MP Jim Bolger's victory on Saturday is a reward for democracy and a reward for rural areas such as Ruapehu where the economic pain first started in 1984.

That is the view of the Prime Minister elect's electorate chairman Alastair Collier of Turakina, near Waiouru. He said it has taken six years for reality to come home to the voting public and National's victory shows that the rural suffering of the past six years was unnecessary. He said had the decisions of 1984 been taken on a business like fashion New

Zealand would now be much better off. Jim Bolger won the King Country seat, a National stronghold, with a huge majority of 6820, up from a 5954 majority at the last election. He becomes the first King Country prime minister, but not the first cabinet minister, having himself been in cabinet in the last National govemment.

Mr Collier said with Mr Bolger's nation-wide party responsibilities it was largely up to the Turnpage2

Bolger is Prime Minister

From page 1 party organisation to look after the King Country electorate. He said the result was from "a terrific effort of a lot of party workers". He said the RaetihiOhakune branch of the party, under Alastair MacGregor, has shown itself to be very loyal and he expressed thanks to Mr MacGregor and his workers for their campaign efforts. Other candidates polled: C Gordon (Labour) 2802, L Cadman (Green) 1233, K McDonald (Imperial British Conservative) 46, D Martin (NewLabour) 468, C Simmons (McGillicudy Serious) 96, M Williamson (Social Credit) 466, S Wilton (Democrat) 67. (Bolger took 9622 votes)

In Rangitikei, which includes Waiouru, Dennis Marshall held his seat with an increased majority. He polled 8827, with P Barton (L) on 3238, B Beetham (SC) 1668, N Burgess (CH) 683, D Husbands (363), D Jowett (1043),

R Shaw (McG S) 126. Koro Wetere held onto his Western Maori seat for Labour with a substantially reduced majority of 3386 (4837 total). S Gray (McG S) polled 155, W Katene (N) 722, T E Rickard (Mana Motuhake) 1451.