Candidates meet nature lovers

Tukituki Act candidate Duncan Lennox introduces himself to Forest and Bird members at a Meet the Candidates evening last night. Photo / Glenn Taylor

A mixed bag of sweeteners was offered to the Tukituki electorate's nature lovers at a Meet the Candidates evening, hosted by Forest and Bird last night.

Forest and Bird Hastings and Havelock North branch chairman Vaughan Cooper gave each candidate five minutes to introduce themselves to the society, gathered at Wesley Church Hall, Hastings.

Tukituki National MP and candidate Craig Foss said he was proud of the Government's environmental policy.

"Just recently, we announced three tiers of national freshwater standards across New Zealand for the first time ever," he said.

But Tukituki Green candidate Chris Perley threw cold water on the National Party's standards.

"The standards they're suggesting are secondary contact recreation.

"That means you can paddle but you can't put your head under water," he said.

"A cleaner, greener environment is the economy's friend."

Tukituki Conservative candidate Stephen Jenkinson said he wanted to see the country's biosecurity "strengthened and integrated with Customs".

"There have been a number of biosecurity breaches in recent years because, we believe, the job isn't being done properly," he said.

Tukituki Democrats for Social Credit candidate Dick Ryan was the only candidate to mention climate change.

"Climate change is the greatest crisis people are about to deal with," Mr Ryan said.

He also described oil drilling and fracking as "a dangerous waste of time and money".

Tukituki Act candidate Duncan Lennox began by paying his respects to the first candidate chosen by the Act Party, Central Hawke's Bay farmer John Ormond, who died this month.

The Hastings Christian School founder and former principal went on to commend the society.

"I just thank you people for the wonderful job you do.

"It's just wonderful, the increase in tui and things like that," he said.

Mr Lennox was not the only candidate to broach the subject of birds.

Tukituki Labour candidate Anna Lorck said she used to ride a pony around her childhood Waipukurau farm, trying to save ducks that had fallen victim to hunters.

"I used to get so stressed about duck shooting," she said.

"I've always had a real passion for birds."

Tukituki Legalise Cannabis candidate Romana Manning was absent.