EAGERLY AWAITING: Wellington Central candidates line up to address the public. IMAGE: Ashleigh Manning
A CROWD of 50 people were appropriately quiet in the surrounds of the Central Baptist Church for last night’s election meeting.
NATIONAL: Paul Foster-Bell. IMAGE: Ashleigh Manning.
Wellington Central candidates from the NZ First, National, Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis, Democrats for Social Justice, Labour, Greens and Conservative parties attended to plead their case for votes and answer questions.
At the start of the meeting chaired by Peter Glensor, each candidate outlined their party’s policies and made their plea for votes.
DEMOCRATS FOR SOCIAL CREDIT: James Knuckey. IMAGE: Ashleigh Manning.
National candidate Paul Foster-Bell (right) said National had an ‘exceptional time’ in office over the past six years in power.
Grant Robertson (Labour candidate) outlined Labour plans to improve jobs and wages for New Zealand and he asked for the party vote.
Democrats for Social Credit (DSC) candidate James Knuckey (left) explained DSC plans to improve social credit and to have loans that either have low or no interest.
“NZ First does what National used to do before 1984,” NZ First candidate Dr Hugh Barr said, as he outlined policy of closing the gap between rich and poor.
CONSERVATIVE PARTY: Brian Hooper. IMAGE: Ashleigh Manning.
James Shaw (Green Party candidate) outlined the three key points the party is targeting, including ending child poverty, creating warm and healthy homes, and extending the early childhood policy to up to 2 year olds.
Brian Hooper (right) of the Conservative party said one of their main policies was to make doctor’s visits free to the over 65’s.
LABOUR: Grant Robertson. IMAGE: Ashleigh Manning.
During the question and answer section of the meeting, issues raised by the public included climate change, housing, transport, sexual violence against women and gender equality.
The Labour, Conservative, National and NZ First candidates all said that they support improving mental health, if elected.
“National wants to give first home buyers better access to their Kiwisavers,” Mr Foster-Bell said when he was queried about the party’s housing policies.
Mr Robertson (left) talked about Labour’s plans for new houses.
GREENS: James Shaw. IMAGE: Ashleigh Manning.
“We plan to have 100,000 new homes in 10 years and we plan to provide emergency accommodation for homelessness.”
Mr Shaw said the Greens would focus on rental homes.
“A third of the population of New Zealand live in rental homes.”
Mr Shaw (right) talked about the Greens policy of a warrant of fitness on rental properties to ensure warm and healthy homes.”
Transport and climate change questions drew a range of responses.
LEGALISE CANNABIS PARTY: Alistair Gregory. IMAGE: Ashleigh Manning.
The Labour, NZ First, Democratic and Greens candidates all said the Emissions Trading Scheme needs to go.
“We are a firm believer of light rail, even though we don’t actually have specific transport policies.” Alistair Gregory (left), the Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis party candidate said.
Labour, Greens and NZ First all have the goal of reducing carbon admission.
When asked about gender equality, all of the party candidates agreed that more woman politicians are needed in Parliament.
All of the candidates mentioned that they are working together on a policy to improve the amount of support given to women affected by sexual violence.