“I’m excited to represent the Taupō electorate and bring Labour’s focus on jobs, health, homes, and real action on the cost of living to this amazing South Waikato electorate.

“Working people are the beating heart of the Taupō and South Waikato electorate – in factories, in processing plants, in local towns, and on farms – these workers drive our rural economy.

“But Taupō and the South Waikato region have been hurt by the escalating cost of living under the Luxon coalition government. Our communities have seen large job cuts and removal of essential public services under this government and the current MP.

“As your electorate MP, I’ll ensure that government decisions work for local people and their communities. I’ll use my 20 years of union leadership and primary industry experience to focus on looking after local jobs and our local workforce. That’s fundamental to economic recovery and rebuilding our local communities.

“Taupō and the South Waikato region is a popular destination for national and international travellers, but it also needs to be a fantastic place to live and work for the diverse communities who call it home.

Chris Flatt is the National Secretary of the NZ Dairy Workers Union Te Runanga Waiū (DWU), a position he has held since 2012.

He is also the current Deputy Chair of Trust Waikato and was formerly a director of Muka Tangata - People, Food, & Fibre Workforce Development Council, director of the Primary Industry Training Organisation, and director of the NZ Industry Training Organisation.

Chris was the General Secretary of the NZ Labour Party from 2009-2012. He is the Affiliates Vice-President on the NZ Council of the Labour Party and the DWU National Affiliates Council Representative for the NZ Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi.

Chris lives in the South Waikato with his three children.