Waipawa will host big debate

Hawke's Bay Today editor Andrew Austin.

Hawke's Bay Today will hold a mayoral debate in Central Hawke's Bay tomorrow following on from the successful debate in Hastings on Thursday night.

It is being held in conjunction with community newspaper The CHB Mail,
Hawke's Bay Today editor Andrew Austin said he was pleased with the attendance at the Hastings debate and was hoping that voters in Central Hawke's Bay would come out in numbers to hear the candidates for the mayoralty speak.

The debate will be be held at CHB Municipal Theatre in Waipawa. Doors open at 5.45pm, with the event at 6pm. The debate will be between current Central Hawke's Bay District councillor Sally Butler, Hinerua resident Gerard Pain and Waipukurau businesswoman Alex Walker.

"We had such a successful evening in Hastings and now it is CHB's turn.

"This is a critical election for the district because whoever wins will be a first-time mayor.

"Debates are an important way in which voters can find out what the candidates are made of.

"We will certainly be putting the tough questions to the three contenders," Mr Austin said.
Each candidate will have five minutes to make an opening statement, after which Mr Austin will ask pre-selected questions from Hawke's Bay Today readers.

After that, each candidate will have five minutes to give a closing statement.

A gold-coin entry will be collected at the door with proceeds going to the CHB branch of Red Cross.

- Readers are invited to email their questions to editor@hbtoday.co.nz. Please put CHB mayoral debate in the subject line.