What does your political party believe in? What would your priorities be for Nelson if you became MP? What is your least favourite policy from your own party?
These are some of the questions that five locals vying to be Nelson’s next MP were asked during a Nelson College-run ‘meet the candidates’ event on Friday.
Current Nelson MP Rachael Boyack (Labour), Chris Baillie (ACT), Blair Cameron (National), Jodie Kuntzsch (TOP) and Rohan O’Neill Stevens (Green) spoke to Year 12 and 13 students from Nelson College, alongside students from Nelson College for Girls and Nayland College.
The student-run event was organised and moderated by head boy Max Stanton, along with Aedan Bruce and Arturo Neale.
Max says that the aim was to help young people feel engaged and get to know the candidates as people, as well as understand their policies.
“We wanted to try and get an idea of who the candidates actually are as people… but we tried to put a lot of policy questions in, to have that balance.
“A lot of younger people, they don’t really engage with it as much, and I think the real purpose of this event is to make sure they do engage with it – knowing what the parties are standing for, so they can actually have an informed vote.”
When students were asked to raise their hands if they expected to still be living in Nelson in five years’ time, not one hand went up – leading to a discussion about how Nelson could become a more attractive place for young people to settle.
Blair said that he wanted Nelson to be known as a great place to start a career, not just retire, with more high-paying job opportunities for young people. Rohan said affordable housing, good jobs and improved public transport were key to encouraging young people to return after studying or travelling.
Transport was another major topic, with candidates offering differing ideas on how to tackle congestion.
Rachel advocated for more frequent bus services and investment in walking and cycling infrastructure, while Jodie supported free public transport and more incentives for cycling.
Chris said that he had long supported the Southern Link, arguing that if it had been built when first proposed in the 1960’s, Nelson might not be having the same congestion discussion today.
Blair backed the Hope Bypass to ease congestion around Richmond, while Rohan argued for better bus services, walking and cycling routes, and housing closer to where people work and play.
Healthcare also prompted debate. Asked what could improve the health system without increasing the budget, Chris suggested making better use of existing resources, including allowing pharmacies to treat minor ailments and extending prescription periods.
Rachel argued that more funding was essential to employ doctors and nurses, while Blair highlighted prevention, vaccination rates and health targets.
Candidates were also asked some tougher party-specific questions, including the Greens’ recent visit to the Mongrel Mob.
Rohan described the visit as a matter of “poor political judgment and poor political timing”, but said politicians needed to engage with all parts of the community to better understand and address issues such as crime.
The lighter questions provided some entertaining answers, with candidates asked what they would build in Nelson if they had an unlimited budget.
Chris opted for a music venue, while Blair wanted a new stadium for the Tasman Mako, with the hope of attracting the Foo Fighters to perform there.
Rachel suggested a new hospital as a serious priority, but said a gondola would be her dream project.
Rohan had an ambitious wish list, including a performing arts centre, hospital, library, Rocks Rd cycleway and, for fun, a Formula One track.
Jodie said she would build the largest circular economy the region had seen, connecting the mountains to the sea while reducing emissions and removing plastics.
In a quickfire round, candidates were asked everything from whether they supported lowering the voting age to 16 to whether New Zealand should ban bottom trawling.
There was one question they all agreed on: which bird should have won Bird of the Year? The unanimous answer was the kākā – which happens to be the bird Nelson College backs for the competition.
The New Zealand general election will be held on 7 November, with those aged 18 required to be enrolled to vote by 25 October.
