National announces Nelson candidate for general election

National has selected Blair Cameron to be the party’s candidate for Nelson in the 2023 general election.

“It’s a massive honour to be selected,” he said.

Canterbury-born, Cameron gained a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Brown University in the United States before working as a senior research specialist at Princeton University.

More recently, he has held concurrent roles in research, consulting, and teaching for the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank with a focus on improving public sector performance.

“Like a lot of New Zealanders, I came back to New Zealand in March of 2020 and decided to stay.”

Cameron’s mother moved from Canterbury to Nelson while he was overseas and so the region became his home base.

“It was a little bit weird for me when I arrived back and mum was cheering for the Mako when they played Canterbury, but I’ve very much come around to the idea.”

Currently working remotely as part of the teaching faculty at the Leadership Academy for Development at Stanford University, Cameron said Nelson is one of the best places to live in the country.

A self-described “big outdoors person,” he enjoys having access to the “incredible” national parks around the region. His favourite hut is the one at Lake Angelus, but he also enjoys popping over to the Abel Tasman Coast Track, “even for just a day walk.”

He also likes rugby, though a knee injury a couple of years ago has stopped him from playing, and harness racing.

But since returning from overseas, Cameron said that he’s wanted to do something about the direction of the country.

“I’m aspirational for Nelson and will fight for the opportunity to make it even better by electing a National government that will deliver for people.”

He said rising costs, fuelled by “wasteful” government spending, are hitting families hard, and with interest rates being hiked to keep a lid on inflation, he added that those with mortgages are facing increased repayments in the hundreds of dollars a week.

“It’s clear Labour’s approach isn’t working and is just making things harder for people.”

He said that under National, the country would have a strengthened economy that would reduce the cost of living, lift incomes, build the infrastructure needed for the future, restore law and order, and deliver better education and health services.

“The hard work starts right now,” Cameron said. “I’ll be meeting as many people as I can and campaigning hard to earn Nelson’s support so I can advocate for them as part of Chris Luxon’s National team.”

Cameron’s selection comes three months after Nelson MP Rachel Boyack announced she had been re-selected by Labour to be the party’s candidate for the region again in 2023.