Auckland central's women MPs face off in debate

Nikki Kaye, National member for Auckland Central, left, and Jacinda Adern, Labour list MP. Photo / File

Election divas Nikki Kaye and Jacinda Ardern spent yesterday morning going head-to-head in their last public battle before the big election.

The two Auckland Central candidates were joined by about 60 guests at a special debate breakfast at the Westpac Building in downtown Auckland, which was jointly organised by Sky City, Westpac and Telecom.

Both women turned up in somewhat similar outfits - short black skirts with tights - save for Ms Kaye's multi-coloured jacket and the sliver of red showing on Ms Ardern's.

They happily mingled, chatted, laughed and answered questions from various people while enjoying croissants and coffee on the outside deck of the 9th floor, looking over Britomart.

Labour Party candidate Ms Ardern was later heard commenting to a group: "This is the first meeting I've had to get up at 7am for. You don't have to get up then for residents' meetings," she laughed.

After breakfast came crunch time, when both she and National MP Ms Kaye, took to the stand to pledge their case to the masses.

Ms Ardern was first to take to the stage and was quick to make it clear in her speech that this election was "absolutely about the people, the people, the people."

She wasn't scared to make the odd joke or two either, a couple of which went down well with the audience.

Youth was one of the major issues she put forward, talking about how important it was for policy makers to think about the future of the country.

"What are we doing to support our young people who are coming up in this [Auckland] city?"

One answer was to raise the minimum wage, not only to support those working in low-paid jobs but also in a bid to keep young people from moving overseas - particularly to Australia.

Ms Kaye was confident and firm about her policies, talking about everything from housing affordability, beneficiaries and the fight to keep small businesses alive.

Taxes was also a key factor in her speech.

"[A new tax system] will lead to many of the small businesses in this country taxed twice...it is effectively a death tax."

Another big issue was to make sure that beneficiaries did not learn to depend, but to work if possible.

"We believe that that is the most compassionate thing we can do."