Email: democrats@democrats.org.nz   Website: www.democrats.org.nz

Media Release

22 September 2013

DSC conference elects leaders

The Democrats for Social Credit elected a new Deputy Leader and new President at their annual conference held in Christchurch this weekend.

The new Deputy Leader is Chris Leitch a Whangarei businessman.

Mr Leitch stood as a candidate in the by-election in Tamaki following Rob Muldoon’s resignation in 1992 coming second in the safe National seat, reducing the former 8500 vote majority to just 1200.

He is a former elected member of the Auckland Regional Services Trust that managed key infrastructure assets and millions in downtown properties in the mid 90’s.

He is also a former trustee of the Waitamata Electricity Trust.

Mr Leitch was also the Party’s President from 1988 to 1993.

The new President is John Pemberton from Matamata.

Mr Pemberton is a food safety and biosecurity officer for State-Owned Enterprise AsureQuality and is part of the crisis response team for biosecurity outbreaks such as struck the kiwifruit industry a few years ago.

John has had a long time involvement in the Credit Union movement, with many years as a director and treasurer for CU Waikato and CU North. He was a trustee of Trust Waikato and co-responsible for over $100 million of investment and donations of $7-10 million to community and sports groups.

He has a website – www.johnpemberton.co.nz - that not only promotes economic reform, but also provides a range of calculators and news feeds.

Stephnie de Ruyter retained her position as Party leader.

Vice-president Katherine Ransom was re-elected unopposed.

ENDS

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