The implosion of National is just too amazing for words – they are now turning on their own Auckland Central Candidate!

What on earth are they doing?

Just when you couldn’t believe the National Party could implode any more than it has over the last month of vicious self-mutilation, they are now turning on their own Auckland central candidate???

Fitness photo of National Party candidate for Auckland Central circulating among party members

The National Party selection process in Auckland Central has taken a new twist, with a photo of one of the female candidates being circulated among party members.

The fitness photo of Nuwanthie Samarakone posing in a leotard was posted by the candidate on her Facebook page but removed when she sought the North Shore nomination in March.

A National Party member said “I must have received it at least eight times”, saying it had been circulating to members since the North Shore candidate selection.

In an overnight email to Auckland Central delegates, Samarakone hit out at the personal attacks.

“I understand that some delegates have been sent a photo of me while I was competing in the fitness realm a few years ago, making utterly false and defamatory claims about what that photo represents.

“I am always up front and transparent. Yes, I am committed to being fit and healthy, and am proud of the discipline I bring to my work and my personal life.

“I was a ballet dancer for 17 years under the Royal Academy of Dancing (UK) and retired hurt. Fitness, dance, hiking across our beautiful New Zealand walks and general well-being is a huge part of my life.

“I am disciplined, fit, resilient and train hard for the events in which I have participated. I proudly own all those experiences which have given me the strength, the resilience and the tough mindset to withstand the pressures of politics.

“However I have no tolerance for people who seek to bring down others through personal attacks, and who damage the integrity of the National Party in the process,” Samarakone said.

She pointed the finger at National Party members “from other electorates who are unhappy with the Auckland Central selection process and have decided to attack the reputation of successful nominees through misrepresentation and untruths”.

When contacted about the photo today, Samarakone said she was not allowed to comment to the media.

The pettiness and mean spiritedness that drive alphas whose focus is brutal success at any cost is the very DNA of the National Party. A toxic aspiration that blinds all else other than the win.

National bond out of mutual ambition, not the common good.

After a month of homicidal self harm, this is the cherry on top of a shit cake for National.

This candidate fiasco only destabilises National even further in the electorate and makes a Chloe Swarbrick upset a possibility.

Unbelievable!

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