Lawyer working in Abu Dhabi selected as national candidate for Wellington Center

A lawyer working for the United Arab Emirates government in Abu Dhabi is to move to New Zealand to campaign for the National Party in Wellington Central.

Dr Scott Sheeran was today elected by local party members to run in the seat, which has been held by Labour’s Grant Robertson since 2008.

In the past two elections, Robertson has had to fend off challenges from National Party current deputy leader Nicola Willis and Green Party co-leader James Shaw.

Willis has since been confirmed as her party’s candidate for the nearby seat of Ōhāriu, while Shaw has “somewhat regretted” opting out of the Wellington Central seat, leaving it to a second Wellington councilor tamatha paul.

Labor recently selected current MP Ibrahim Omer as its candidate for Wellington Centre.

Newsroom reported yesterday that Backbencher publicist Alastair Boyce had also sought to run for National.

Sheeran is currently based in Abu Dhabi as senior legal adviser to the Government of the United Arab Emirates, but will return to Wellington with his family in July.

“I’ve lived and worked all over the world for many years, but I’ve always considered Wellington my home. It’s where my home is, it’s where my wife and I want our children to grow up, and it’s where A place where everyone has the opportunity to thrive,” he said.

“If I had the chance to be an MP, I would focus on the issues that matter most to the people here, especially lowering the cost of living.”

Sheeran was raised by his mother in Hautap, Waikato, and attended Hamilton Boys’ High School.

He later earned a Bachelor of Laws and Commerce from the University of Otago, a Master of Laws from the University of Cambridge, UK, and a PhD in International Law from the University of Essex.

He is also a barrister at Wellington Solicitors, a Reserve Officer in the New Zealand Defense Force and has held various positions with the United Nations.

“With interest rates rising to fight inflation and Labor’s mismanagement of the economy, Wellington homeowners are being forced to find hundreds of extra dollars a week to cover rising mortgage repayments,” he said.

“Wellingtonians rightfully celebrate our innovative, creative and vibrant city, but if we don’t act on the cost of living crisis we will lose out on the talent and opportunities that make this incredible city.”