Concerns aired at Patutahi meeting

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

The National Party represents the values of the East Coast and can lead New Zealand to economic recovery, says the party's candidate for the East Coast seat Tania Tapsell.

She met Patutahi constituents earlier this week to listen to their concerns, and visited several primary producers in her campaign to retain the East Coast seat for National that has been held by the retiring Anne Tolley since 2005.

Ms Tapsell said major concerns included government debt, uncertainty for the rural sector and business confidence, which had been declining since before the onset of the Covid-19 epidemic. There was no appetite to invest in promoting economic growth.

Constituents were also concerned about insufficient migration of skilled labour to fill skilled-job vacancies in manufacturing, driving and the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme that boosts the horticulture and viticulture industries.

There were major infrastructural issues in water storage in preparation for drought and in wastewater and stormwater. The country had big problems that would get bigger “if we don't get it right now”.

Ms Tapsell was accompanied by Katie Nimon — the National Party candidate for the Labour-held seat of Napier. That electorate extends almost to the outskirts of Gisborne, then roughly follows State Highway 2 inland as far as Matawai.

Ms Nimon is the general manager of her family's long-established bus company.

East Coast campaign manager Pat Seymour told party supporters at the meeting in the Ngatapa clubrooms that Ms Tapsell would win East Coast. But supporters had to ensure their friends realised the party vote was more important than the electorate vote.

The September 19 General Election would largely be determined by the party vote.