Caygill confirms candidacy for Chch East

The Press reports:

Labour is eyeing up four potential party candidates to replace long-serving Christchurch East MP Lianne Dalziel now in the running to be mayor.

The Press understands Ngai Tahu manager James Caygill, son of former Labour finance minister David Caygill, is emerging as a favourite among party members.

Nominations as Labour’s Christchurch East by-election candidate opened last week.

Caygill said last night he would put his name forward this week.

Labour was doing its “due diligence” and the party’s candidate needed to able to stand up “in front of the party and the public and advocate for Christchurch East in Wellington”.

Caygill was made redundant from the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra in January 2012 and is now acting general manager of tribal interests for Ngai Tahu.

He owns a house in Richmond that has been zoned Technical Category 3 and lives in Mairehau with his partner Serenity Thurlow, the orchestra’s principal viola player.

Can I just say that Serenity is a cool and somewhat apt name for a viola  player!

List MP Clayton Cosgrove, who was recently given the EQC portfolio, is also understood to be considering a bid, but said he had not given it “any serious thought”.

I doubt Cosgrove will seek the nomination unless he thinks he will clearly win. If he seeks it and loses, it will undermine his chances in Waimakariri. He also could struggle with a winnable list place, so the decision will be a critical one for him.

Will also be interesting to see if Tony Milne stands.