West Coast-Tasman must stop regional decline, election candidates say
By local democracy reporter Brendon McMahon:
Putting a stop to regional decline was a prevailing theme delivered by West Coast-Tasman’s hopeful candidates during an election debate.
Six candidates voiced their policies for a small crowd in Motueka on Friday, with the focus often turning to national issues.
The first question posed to the candidates by Grey Power Motueka, who hosted the meeting, asked what the main challenge was for the region over the next three years.
Labour’s Damien O’Connor, the current MP for West Coast-Tasman, said the region needed further investment in housing, while also addressing inequality and healthcare issues and improving resilient infrastructure.
“If we don’t have that, then people feel very exposed and feel insecure, and that undermines the value of collectivity within our community. Generally, in small communities like this, we work really well, but we’re stretched for resources.”
He also asked voters to consider Labour’s performance in the region over the last six years rather than the messages coming from opposition parties.
“Please judge us and judge me on my record, not on the rhetoric that we have heard.”
Maureen Pugh, National’s challenger and a current list MP in parliament, said an exodus of young people was a driving factor for regional decline and without a strong economy, they would keep leaving.
“We need to focus on our young people, break that dependence on welfare support, get them into work training, upskilling, and get them into paid employment. There is ample opportunity in this area for young people to be working.”
Patrick Phelps, an independent candidate and current Westland District councillor, also highlighted the region’s decline as a critical issue but said that he could truly deliver as he wasn’t also beholden to a party.
“We’re in the fortunate position as an electorate where we’ve got two outstanding MPs in Damien O’Connor and Maureen Pugh who’ll both be in parliament after the election anyway because of the party list system,” he said.
“[West Coast-Tasman] needs independent representation in parliament where the person representing you, their loyalties lie only with you – the people living in the region.”
Inequality was Green Party candidate Steve Richard’s main concern for not only the region, but the country, and reiterated the Greens’ proposed wealth tax which he said would have flow-on effects to help address other issues like crime and homelessness.
“It all comes back to money, there’s plenty of it, if we can just share it more evenly.”
Outdoors and Freedom Party co-leader Sue Grey said the region needed to overcome divisive rhetoric and return to grassroots and local approaches to dealing with issues.
“We have to find ourselves again, and we can, we just need a change in leadership that gives us that inspiration.”
Richard Osmaston, leader of the Money Free Party, used the meeting to reiterate his position that money was the root of all troubles plaguing the country.
“We are never going to fix the multiple problems that we have today for all the time we have a monetary system.”
ACT’s Kelly Lilley, New Zealand First’s Jackie Farrelly, and New Zealand Loyal’s Sebastian Marinkovich were not able to attend.
* Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air
Poll: Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?
Buses can be a relaxing way to get home if you have a seat and enough space. However, it can be off-putting when someone is taking a phone call next to you.
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Paddy Gower seeks ‘bloody great Cantab’
The Kiwi journalist drilling deep into the country’s biggest issues is on a mission to find the local greats.
Paddy Gower is looking for the Good Kiwi in every region to feature in his show, The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour.
To nominate a Good Kiwi, email reporters@press.co.nz with the name and a description of why your nominee should win. You an also share the local issues you think Paddy needs to tackle in the comments below.
It could be the woman whose knitting circle has made 3800 items for victims of domestic violence, the guy running the length of Aotearoa for mental health, or the woman with terminal cancer who spends her time campaigning to raise awareness and save lives.
“Basically I am looking for ... a bloody great Cantab who just gets on and gets things done. The criteria is somebody who has a positive attitude and makes the community a better place," Gower said.
“I will give this person the 'Big Ups' they deserve, and the community can celebrate them with me.”
A Good Kiwi will feature in each of Gower’s live shows in 14 centres through November and December. He will name the Cantabrian Good Kiwi at his Christchurch show on the evening of Friday, November 22, at St Margaret’s College.
The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour is a sort of book tour, sort of stand-up comedy, some journalistic yarns and memoir, and some motivational speaking - with a fair bit of local in each show.
Gower also wants to know about topics of interest in the region.
“I’m ... going to be taking on a big issue facing Canterbury and offering up solutions.”
A stinky suburb, a neighbourhood needing a round-about or a cathedral in disrepair - “I will make your views count”, he said.
“I'm touring the nation to spread positivity, optimism and good vibes.”
*For tickets to the The F@#$ing News - Paddy Gower Live on Tour visit paddygower.co.nz
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