“We need a centre-right Government re-elected in New Zealand, but Act shares the frustrations that voters have with the pace of change.
“Act has demonstrated over the last two years the essential role it plays keeping a National-led coalition government on-track and accountable, saving taxpayer money and cutting red tape to secure New Zealand’s prosperity.”
James Christmas will be a candidate for Act at this election. Photo / Supplied
Speaking exclusively to the Herald earlier this month, Christmas acknowledged some in National might be “disappointed” by his decision to switch parties, but he insisted it was not prompted by any ill will towards his former party.
“I’ve looked at where I can make the biggest contribution, and I made a positive decision to [join Act],” he said.
“It’s no more complicated than that, there’s no hidden story there.”
Act leader David Seymour welcomed his newest candidate and did not rule out Christmas holding a leadership role in the party in the future.
“There’s always the possibility, but let’s just see if we can get him elected to Parliament first.”
Christmas, 40, worked for Finlayson during the last National Government’s tenure from 2008-2017 when the latter was Attorney-General, Treaty Negotiations Minister and in charge of the spy agencies.
Christmas went on to work as an adviser to Key and English when each was Prime Minister, before going out on his own as a lawyer in Auckland.
In 2023, Christmas was ranked 28th on National’s party list before the general election.