ACT and Vision NZ select candidates for East Coast

Whakatāne chartered accountant Michael Howe, ACT candidate for East Coast, says living in the United States has left him disillusioned with New Zealand.

“After returning to New Zealand with my wife and two beautiful daughters from the US, I quickly became disillusioned with the direction New Zealand was going in.

“It is broken, with out-of-control crime, a cost-of-living crisis, and a divided nation.

“This is not the island paradise that I had once known.

“My vast overseas experience lends itself to helping fix the serious issues the country faces.”

Mr Howe said he was not a career politician, but a person with “real-world practical multicultural business experience running companies and making real change happen”.

Mr Howe grew up in Whakatāne  and describes himself as being passionate  about the East Coast area.

He worked in the courthouse for five years before going overseas.

“I am a chartered accountant and successful business owner within the hospitality technology space.

“My family and I returned to New Zealand in 2021.

“In my free time, I enjoy hiking, SUP boarding and mountain biking.

“I regularly volunteer to restore the dunes into natives along the Eastern Bay of Plenty coast, and I give my time to mentor and develop other chartered accountants and small business owners in strategic planning.”

Leighton Packer, who stood in the last Gisborne District Council election, will represent Vision New Zealand in the East Coast electorate.

Ms Packer says her party prioritises strong family values.

“We believe in building a better future for our families and the community of East Coast.”