Election 2020: Christchurch gelato store encourages voting with political party flavours

Each political party has its own flavour of gelato sold at Rollickin' in Christchurch. Photo / Supplied

A Christchurch gelato store is using political party-inspired flavours to encourage young people to vote.

The store, Rollickin', is selling flavours based on five New Zealand political parties.

Rollickin' director Jed Joyce said the political party-inspired flavours came about in the previous election.

All five flavours will be available at the Christchurch store right up until election day. Photo / Supplied

There were only two flavours: a Bill English "Billy boy"-inspired flavour and a Jacinda Ardern flavour.

This then led to a Winston Peter's flavour called "One in a Winston".

With the 2020 election looming, Joyce said the team at Rollickin' created the flavours again and added some.

"It came from the team but we have tried to have fun with it."

As well as creative and delicious-looking flavours, Joyce said it created an opportunity to get young people talking about election and voting.

With a team of 45 people aged between 18-25, he said it was important for young people to vote, especially after the year the country has been through with the Covid-19 pandemic.

Joyce said the flavours and scoop poll had created opportunities and "encouraged young people to vote and have conversation around voting".

On its launch day, the Electoral Commission set up a stand, and enrolment forms can be found at the shop.

Each day a "scoop poll" is created, where customers and staff can see which was the most popular flavour of the day.

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The store has caught the eyes of two politicians, including the Prime Minister.

Earlier in the week, while in Christchurch, Ardern made a stop at the store and tried "Jacinda Fever" for herself.

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A whole hour of free scoops of "Jacinda Fever" was then given away because of her visit.

Joyce encouraged any other politicians to visit the store so customers can get a free scoop which will boost their chances on the "scoop poll".

Joyce told the Herald customers were really enjoying the flavours and their concepts - and some were even creating a "double scoop coalition" - pairing two flavours.

He told the Herald he and his staff were "having a lot of fun with it".

The "scoop poll" runs up until election day.

What flavours are on offer

• "David S'more" - a marshmallow and chocolate flavour for Act Party Leader David Seymour.

"Choose Davo's dreamy choccy gelato loaded with heavenly clouds of marshmallow & a killer choccy shot. Rest me in butter bikkie peace.⁠"

'David S'more' is made up of marshmallow and chocolate. Photo / Supplied

• "Jacinda Fever" - Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has a red velvet and cheesecake-inspired flavour.

"Level one, two or three Ash? And creamy cheesecake gelato subsidy & lippy-red velvet cake subsidy & cheesecake sauciness subsidy."

'Jacinda Fever' is a red velvet and cheesecake flavour. Photo / Supplied

• "A Shaw High" - made with pistachio and hemp brownies for the Green Party co-leaders.

"We'll pack ya a phat cone. Mixing it up with 'The Bro's Green'."

The Green Party's flavour is made up of pistachio and hemp brownies. Photo / Supplied

• "Naughty Ol' Winston" - for New Zealand First Leader Winston Peters made with liquorice and chocolate lumps.

"Stirrin the media & schmmoshin our Grans with creamy liquorice gelato & chocolate lumps. Forget the polls ladies, put your feet up & lick this baby!⁠"

Liquorice and chocolate lumps makes up Winston Peters' flavour of gelato. Photo / Supplied

• "Cookie Crusher Collins" - National Party Leader Judith Collins has a cookies and cream-inspired flavour.

"Brave, brave Judy threw down her gauntlet. Will she whip her arch-enemy with the creamiest organic milk gelato, crushin choccy cookies & an extra strong cookie cream economy?"

A cookies and cream-inspired flavour was created for Judith Collins. Photo / Supplied