Local Focus: Which Waiariki candidates and their parties have credibility?

The economic response to Covid-19 is, unsurprisingly, the big talking point for this election.

In this Local Focus video, we asked the main candidates in the Waiariki electorate what gives their party credibility to lead New Zealand out of a recession.

Labour's Tamati Coffey was quick to point out that New Zealand is in the enviable position it's in because of Labour leadership.

"That leadership and the way that we did it, the overarching message of being kind and looking after one another, I think that's the kind of leadership New Zealanders want to see," Coffey said.

Māori Party candidate Rawiri Waititi says as the only party representing Māori in New Zealand, it's vital that they engage in government.

"Māori are in a recession all the time," he said. "We're constantly in that space because if you look at the statistics we're at the bottom of everything."

Vision NZ party leader Hannah Tamaki says governing is about working together with "all people".

"This is where coalitions come together where you can actually talk around a table."

Also standing in the Waiariki electorate:
• Rawiri Te Kowhai for the Outdoors Party
• Riki Broughton for the New Conservatives
• Ema Williams for Advance NZ.

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