Politics Blog
Labour's Vietnam-based candidate drops out
Warrick Cleine is the chief executive of consulting firm KPMG’s Vietnam and Cambodia division.
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Labour's Vietnam-based candidate, Warrick Cleine, has dropped out of the race and is no longer standing for the party.
Cleine, who is the chief executive of consulting firm KPMG’s Vietnam and Cambodia division, has lived in Southeast Asia for decades but was seeking election through Labour's list at this election. He was ranked 30 on the list and was planning to move to New Zealand to campaign, and remain here if elected.
But Labour leader Chris Hipkins confirmed this morning that Cleine was no longer standing for the party.
"He sent me a message directly that he's no longer able to commit to the campaign, so he's withdrawn his nomination. I understand that. Sometimes people's circumstances change," Hipkins said.
Hipkins said he'd understood Cleine did intend to campaign in New Zealand.
"When he put his name forward, he was intending to come back to New Zealand to campaign. He's no longer in a position to do that, and so he's withdrawn his candidacy. I respect that decision," Hipkins said.
Cleine previously said he would be in Auckland for Labour’s campaign launch, set for this weekend.
Cleine, who is the chief executive of consulting firm KPMG’s Vietnam and Cambodia division, has lived in Southeast Asia for decades but was seeking election through Labour's list at this election. He was ranked 30 on the list and was planning to move to New Zealand to campaign, and remain here if elected.
But Labour leader Chris Hipkins confirmed this morning that Cleine was no longer standing for the party.
"He sent me a message directly that he's no longer able to commit to the campaign, so he's withdrawn his nomination. I understand that. Sometimes people's circumstances change," Hipkins said.
Hipkins said he'd understood Cleine did intend to campaign in New Zealand.
"When he put his name forward, he was intending to come back to New Zealand to campaign. He's no longer in a position to do that, and so he's withdrawn his candidacy. I respect that decision," Hipkins said.
Cleine previously said he would be in Auckland for Labour’s campaign launch, set for this weekend.