Current Environment Canterbury councillor Megan Hands has been selected by National to contest the Rangitata electorate in the 2020 General Election.

The party was forced to select a new candidate after former Rangitata MP Andrew Falloon resigned amid allegations he sent indecent images to several woman.

Ms Hands says “I’m very excited and humbled to be selected as National’s candidate in Rangitata and I would like to thank local Party members for their support.”

 “We only have a short time until the election, so I’ll be working extremely hard to make sure Rangitata has strong National representation in Wellington and gives National the all-important Party Vote.”

 “Rangitata is a large electorate, from Rakaia down to Timaru, and I’ll be getting out trying to meet as many people as possible before September 19. I care about this community and this part of the country, I want to see it continue to grow and thrive.”

“The people of Rangitata are extremely hard working and right now they are worried about the future, whether they will have a job and how they will support their family.”

Megan Hands was born in the Waikato and grew up on dairy farms throughout the North Island. She attended high school in Palmerston North before moving to the South Island to attend Lincoln University.

 A Lincoln University Graduate, Megan has a Bachelor of Environmental Management and Planning and qualifications in Sustainable Nutrient Management in New Zealand Agriculture from Massey University.

Megan has had long standing involvement in New Zealand Young Farmers, and is a two time regional finalist in the FMG Young Farmer of the Year Contest.