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Northcote’s new MP Shanan Halbert lost his father on Election Day
Halbert said he had lost his “greatest champion,” but his father, Winston, had kept his promise to be there until Election Day.
His father was diagnosed with terminal cancer in October of last year.
Halbert described the cancer as a “rare form” of lung cancer, believed to have been caused by his father’s exposure to asbestos on his cold work days.
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* Election 2020: Northcote Candidates for Local Representatives
* Coleman vote intact in Northcote, says victorious Dan Bidois after by-elections.
Shanan Halbert / Supplied
Northcote’s new MP Shanan Halbert with her father, Winston, and fellow Labor MP Meka Whaitiri at a Ratana celebration earlier this year.
Halbert said Stuff his mother called him early on Election Day with the news of his father’s death.
“Election day was special, as well as being incredibly sad for everyone,” he said.
“He was with us all day in spirit.
“It was good to finish with the result we did. He would have been incredibly proud.
“Dad, although he was 80 years old, he was a very fit and healthy man. He looked much younger than he was, ”said Halbert.
Halbert said he had dedicated his victory to his father, part of the deal he had made with his father to celebrate Election Day.
He described his father as part of his campaign from the beginning.
“This was absolutely the campaign for him.”
His family was gathering at the Omahu Marae in Hastings on Sunday.
Halbert said that he would spend the day with his whānau and his father to “see him off.”
On Tuesday a funeral was held in Moawhango Marae.
Halbert de Labor took the Northcote seat from Dan Bidois of National. With 98.8 percent of the booths counted, Halbert received 15,832 votes to Bidois’ 14,474.
Halbert said his team had done “incredibly well” and described his victory as a “real victory” for North Shore, as it had been “a long time” since a Labor MP won there.
“The positive result really speaks to the work we have done. Now the team can continue working to represent Northcote, ”he said.
“As my dad says, humility is wonderful. I will not take anything for granted and will represent the community. “
Northcote’s electorate comprises the communities of Northcote, Birkenhead, Chatswood, Birkdale, Beach Haven, Windy Ridge, Hillcrest, and the southern portion of Glenfield.
