Progressive Party selects Te Tai Tonga candidate
20 May 2005
Progressive Party selects Te Tai Tonga candidate
The Progressive Party has selected Russell Caldwell as its candidate in Te Tai Tonga where he will be campaigning for party votes in this year's general election.
"I am very proud to announce that Russell will be flying Progressive's colours in Te Tai Tonga in this election. Russell is a first class candidate for our party and will do well raising the party vote tally for Progressive this year," says Progressive deputy leader, Hon. Matt Robson MP.
"Russell has a very strong commitment to Maori development, especially education and employment" Matt Robson said. "He is a family man, ex-service man, published author, and a manager and advisor," he said.
"Progressive candidates are campaigning for the party vote this year as your pro-business and anti-drugs insurance policy. If you support the removal of student debt and measures to assist families to buy their first home, then our candidates' message is: Party Vote Progressive".
See also:
RUSSELL
CALDWELL PROFILE Russell Caldwell is the Progressive
Candidate for Te Tai Tonga. His iwi affiliations are Ngai
Tahu and Te Arawa. His Ngai Tahu connections stem from
Tuturau near Mataura in Southland. His Te Arawa side is
Ngati Whakaue of Maketu. Russell knows and understands
the needs of the electorate. He has lived and worked within
both the Northern and Southern boundaries of Te Tai Tonga.
Currently he works in Christchurch and lives in Tuahiwi
North Canterbury. Russell has previously worked in
Wellington and lived in Wainuomata, Waiwhetu, Naenae and
Stokes Valley.
Russell grew up in the central north island
town of Turangi. When he left school he worked for the Post
Office, served in the Army, and completed an OE in Europe.
In 1991 Russell moved to Christchurch to study part time at
University. He also began working for the Ngai Tahu Maori
Trust Board. Russell completed his studies and gained a
Bachelor of Arts majoring in History and an MBA (Master of
Business Administration). At University Russell met his wife
Ruiha Dawson. Russell and Ruiha have been married for eleven
years and they have two children Wiremu and
Katarina. After completing his studies Russell began a
career in Maori development. He has held a range of
managerial and senior advisory positions. His past
experience includes having worked for Te Puni Kokiri and Te
Wananga o Aotearoa. He was the inaugural chief executive
officer of Paerangi Limited, a company that advocates for
the Maori Boarding Schools. Russell returned to work for
Ngai Tahu for a second time in 2003. Russell believes in
a proactive no nonsense approach to development. "All too
often it is a case of too much hui and not enough dooy". He
is aware that the top concerns of Maori-by far-are not
grievances, but education and jobs. Most Maori more than
other New Zealanders-are focused on the future, on the
potential of young Maori and what we as a nation can become.
Russell joined Progressive because it is the only party that
has practical solutions for regional development, which is
central to Maori development as a whole.
ENDS