Tukituki Conservative Party candidate Stephen Jenkinson stood in for his Napier running mate Garth McVicar yesterday.
The former Sensible Sentencing Trust chief executive could not make Napier Grey Power's meet the candidates event due to a death in the family.
Maori Party Ikaroa Rawhiti candidate Marama Fox, New Zealand Democrats for Social Credit Napier candidate Barry Pulford, Alliance Napier candidate Mary O'Neill and Mr Jenkinson introduced themselves before each answering questions provided in advance. To applause all candidates said Napier City should not have to amalgamate with other Hawke's Bay councils if it did not want to.
When asked what their party's stance was on protecting the environment from intensive farming Mr Pulford made no comment because he couldn't find one.
Ms O'Neill said raising awareness was paramount and dairy farming would be closely scrutinised. Mr Jenkinson said fewer than 1 per cent of dairy farmers transgressed and the industry had moved a long way from the routine disposal of effluent into waterways decades ago.
Ms Fox said collaboration was needed to protect the "sacrosanct" environment. On raising the age of eligibility for superannuation she said it should not rise - the average life expectancy for Maori men in Wairarapa was 48 years: "... half our people don't make it to retirement anyway."
Mr Jenkinson said there was no support to raise the age of eligibility but "it is a problem for the future" and there would be issues with KiwiSaver maturation and the retirement age if it was to change, requiring legislation.
Ms O'Neill said superannuation should be available to under 65s who were no longer capable of working due to health deterioration near retirement age.
Mr Pulford said the Democrats had no plans to raise the age of eligibility.
Ms Fox and Mr Jenkinson said they supported the recommendations of the 2009 Law Commission report to increase the price of alcohol, reduce accessibility, phase out advertising/sponsorship and increase the age it can be bought.
Ms O'Neill said Alliance did not support raising the age and there should be more effective enforcement of existing restrictions and more education, but did support advertising restrictions and price controls.
Mr Pulford said attitudes towards alcohol needed to change and personal responsibility developed.
Several Grey Power members spoken to by Hawke's Bay Today all spoke highest of Ms Fox.
The Napier Green, National and Labour party candidates will speak to Napier Grey Power next month.