In this Local Focus video, we asked three candidates in the East Coast electorate what gives their party credibility to lead New Zealand out of a recession.
"When we had the global financial crisis, it was the National Party that got us out of that and I believe that once again, with the leadership of Judith Collins and Gerry Brownlee, we have a strong team to lead us out of this economic recession," said National candidate Tania Tapsell.
Green Party candidate Meredith Akuhata-Brown said the Greens bring a mix of "intelligent minds and scientific heads".
"We've also got everyday people from the grassroots who have lived experience. All those capabilities are in the mix."
Labour candidate Kiri Allan says right now New Zealand needs a proven leadership team, and drew attention to the "exceptionally competent" Minister of Finance, Grant Robertson.
"His target when we came into government was to bring debt under 20 per cent," she said. "When we came in it was sitting at 26 per cent of GDP. At the end of 2019, he'd lowered it to 19 per cent."
She goes on to explain how that stands NZ in good stead for the recession.
Also standing in the East Coast electorate:
• Jennie Brown for Advance NZ
• Veronica King for ONE
• Helena Nickerson for New Conservative
• Blake Webb for Act
Made with funding from