The first one in our local area allowed all the candidates to speak for 5 minutes followed by questions from the audience
The format was that a question was asked by a member of the audience and each candidate had the opportunity to answer the question.
The questions covered a whole range of topics including
-Small bussiness issues (too many regulations and Government interference)
-The Health system and it failings (under staffed, and bearly coping)
-The threat to NZ’s sovereignty from the UN,WEF, etc
-Covid mandates, etc
-Sex idealogy and education (gender thoery been to kids)
-Crime
-Abortions laws (you can legally kill a newborn baby in NZ)
-The Wellington anti-mandate protest.
-Immigration, and concern about the ‘brain drain’ (people leaving NZ for a better life)
It had some frank honest discussions, and a heathy debate ensued.
One of issues it highlighted is how NZ has become a very divided nation.
At times, the main political parties were on the back foot, particarly regarding the Wellington protest and the Mandates. The sitting Mp for this area actually lied and claimed he spoke to the protesters.
(no members of parliament came out speak to them, and there was an agreement not to)
In all it was a good night.
The second candidate meeting was a rather different affair and was run by the Rotary club (one of those old boys networks).
It was notable for several things..
The MC was a bit of a control freak, who was directing the event to favour the incumbent MP.
This had a bit of a chilling effect, and possibly controversial subjects weren’t mentioned, least the MC shut them down.
It was also notable that ‘patsy’ tame questions were asked, as if on que.
The candidate for Vision NZ wasn’t invited, even though he lives in this very town!. It appears the Rotary club decided to snub him because his party is associated with Brian Tamaki and the anti-mandate protests.
On the other hand, a Green party representative arrived unannounced and was invited to speak along with the other candidates.
The MC actually mentioned that the Police may or may not drop in case of any ‘trouble’, such was their paranoia.
The present MP was given preferential treatment. Question time was setup so that you could only ask a question to one candidate only. The first 5 questions were directed towards this MP, who took this opportunity to talk about lots of other stuff not relevent to the question.
Overall, the event felt rather contrived.
Uncoffined 
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