Rusty Kane. Born December 2, 1953.
Rusty Kane is a New Zealand advocate for local democracy. Kane has campaigned for the advantages of independent political representation instead of MPs affiliated with major political parties.
His tenacity for this cause, including standing (more than ten times) for election for central government, regional and district councils, and the district health board earned Kane the epithets: Mr tenacious and a stickler for democratic transparency.
Kane with Doug Wilson collected 52,000 signatures as part of Wilson’s 1998 protest walk to Parliament, seeking the removal of the Government. This instigated the forming of The People’s Choice Party in 1999 (Taranaki’s first-ever registered political party and NZ’s 21st political party).
Under the People’s Choice banner from 1999 until 2022 Rusty stood unsuccessfully in ten elections. The People’s Choice Party was also the first political party to oppose the MMP system of Government. Again in the 2009 Mt Albert by-election, Kane campaigned that Citizens-initiated Referendums should be binding on the government.
In the 2002 elections, Kane stood as an independent in the Taranaki-King Country seat and was one of six candidates in the Te Tai Hauauru by-election in 2004.
Mr Kane said: “It’s not about winning. Campaigning is a cost-effective way of raising awareness for the efficacy of having an independent Member of Parliament who is not affiliated with a major political party. An independent MP provides better political leverage. An independent MP is not controlled or beholden to any of the major political parties.”
“Independent candidates don’t have to tow the party line.”
The People’s Choice Party (which de-registered in 2003) was the first political party to field a Pakeha candidate in a Maori Ward (Te Tai Hauauru seat). In 2005 Kane stood in the New Plymouth electorate against Labour incumbent Harry Dyunhoven despite him having the biggest majority in the country. And in the 2008 election, he helped National Party candidate Jonathan Young defeat Harry Dyunhoven.
Rusty Kane has strong community ties, particularly in Taranaki. He was part of the Waitara Lease Holders Association from 2004-10. A founding member of C.E.P.R.A (Chemically Exposed Paritutu Residents Association) who helped former power station employees and harbour board workers get free medical health care. He was also part of the Taranaki Dioxin Advisory Group.
Rusty is also an artist and has had several exhibitions including his controversial exhibition “Hands On” in 2006 at the Pune Ariki library foyer, and “Seven Beds and Fourteen Heads.” These exhibitions courted controversy as they were politically referencing dioxin contamination.
Birthplace and working history
Born, December 2, Bethlehem Hospital (Wellington).
Childhood, Seatoun.
Schools: Seatoun School, Evan Bay Intermediate,
Wellington High School (Wellington College)
Victoria University (Science and Biology) 1970-72
Work history:
Jewellery apprenticeship 1972-75. Worked in his Father’s jewellery shop N.Blackswel Ltd, Willis St, Wellington. Left in 1976 aged 21.
1975-80 Overseas in Europe in Germany (unskilled builders labourer)
1981-91 New Plymouth Power Station, stores and purchasing.
1992-98 Big Think Projects at Motouni and Waitara (working in electrical supplies)
2000-2020 Bio Soil Consultant (Taranaki/Waikato)
Political campaigns
Mt Albert Electorate 1999
Tauranga Electorate 2002
Tauranga Electorate 2005
Tauranga Electorate 2008
Te Tai Hauauru Electorates 2011
Mayoralty for the Stratford District Council 2013
Taranaki Regional Council 2016
Taranaki Regional Council 2022
References:
Scoop, 1 Nov, 2001 “Mt Albert Campaign”
Scoop, 20 Oct, 2006 “Hands On”
Scoop, 6 Nov, 2011 “New Plymouth Independent Seat-
Rusty Kane”
Scoop, 26 May, 2009 “Full Interview-Rusty Kane”
Scoop, 28 April, 2017 “Rusty Kane to Contest Tauranga Seat”
Sunlive, 15 April, 2017 “No Vote is a Vote for Rusty Kane”
Sunlive, 13 May, 2014 “Rusty Refutes Fake Site”
Stratford Press, June 24, 2020 “This Time It’s Different”
Access Radio Taranaki 104.4FM, “Going Independent with Rusty Kane”
Official letter of acknowledgment from Government House (signed Hugo Judd , secretary for the Governor General) for the 52,000 signatures (petition to remove the Government. Dated 18 Nov, 1997
Waitako Times, Sept 14, 1999 “Putting the horse before the cart in political race” Journalist Phil Hamilton (proof Rusty Kane was Doug Wilson campaign manager)
Taranaki Daily News, March 13, 1999, “Pram man ready for mass protest in bid to get Govt sacked” Journalist Rochelle West
Wanganui Chronicle, Feb 22, 2000 “Vote PC (People’s Choice Party) to MP numbers”
Journalist Dave Laurence
Taranaki Daily News, July 7, 2003 “Call to settle old land issue (Waitara Lease Holders, Rusty Kane is mentioned in the article), Journalist Juliet Smith
Taranaki Daily News, Nov 1, 2008 “Rusty drives tractor throughout Taranak-King Country” (photo caption piece, photographer Mark Taylor)
Taranaki Daily News, June 15, 2004, “Kane faces uphill battle for by-election battle’ (Te Tau Hauauru electorate) Journalist Gordon Brown
Taranaki Daily News, Aug 31, 2004 “Squabble over election names” (Rusty Kane complains about Mayor and CEO nominating candidates for the NPDC election) Journalist Rochelle West
Midweek, Sept 15, 2004, “Tests urged for Paritutu staff” (Rusty Kane advocates for testing).
