Labour's Ben Sandford, Maori Party's Wendy Biddle, National's Todd McClay, Independent's Rachel Clark, NZ First's Fletcher Tabuteau, and Green's Richard Gillies.
What has been your proudest achievement to date - in politics or in life?
Working well with a great bunch of general seat and list candidates of Rotorua. Loved our comradeship and how we are all dedicated to our kaupapa and parties.
What do you
think is the one biggest issue facing Rotorua - and what would you do about it?
Homelessness. Encourage, entice, demand the government of the day commits to its eradication and implements a national and local strategy moving forward to eradicate it.
Why should Rotorua voters vote for you?
Rotorua general seat constituents should vote for Wendy Biddle because I am a strong advocate for the people of Rotorua and will work hard to ensure that the people are served well. Maori Party is also the only kaupapa driven party. What does that mean? We are not governed by the party line. Our principles are driven by the flagship of manaakitanga, rangatiratanga, tiakitanga, etc ... and we take care of the people, environment, nga mea katoa to ensure our mokopuna (future generations) are well looked after and our environment and water, etc, are there for their enjoyment.
What has been your proudest achievement to date - in politics or in life?
My proudest achievement, in my short career, so far, is feeling the aroha and support from those I have engaged in. I am encouraged with the absolute need for change. I'm not a "big noter", and definitely not anyone's puppet! Thank you, Rotorua and Te Puke for listening. Currently I'm in my third term, seventh year standing in local government, at Community Board level, improving local transport and housing issues.
What do you think is the one biggest issue facing Rotorua - and what would you do about it?
Rotorua, like many cities in New Zealand, has a few issues, but to pick one, eroding quality of life. People and families are under stress, many are one "pay-pack" away from losing the roof over their head. People feeling alone and abandoned by social services. I want to turn this around and give people hope.
Why should Rotorua voters vote for you?
Rotorua! You beautiful people with heart. Let me help you. The current government has had nine years to represent our great province, and have fallen short! Nationally, we have the highest homelessness, suicide rates, and longer hospital waiting lists. Shameful!
Rotorua! I am here for you! I care about people, and want people feeling refreshed and supported, encouraged that they can reach their goals and full potential, and just feel happy and not scared for their future.
Rotorua! I am up for this challenge! Learn more about me on my Facebook Candidate Page.
What has been your proudest achievement to date - in politics or in life?
Raising a family with my wife Jenny. Nothing else comes close, and the neat thing is it's a work in progress. And irrespective of the result on the 23rd, I'm proud to have stood for the Green Party. The more people involved in democracy, the better the outcome. In 1993 New Zealanders fed up with two-party politics voted in droves for MMP. Let's not turn back the clock.
What do you think is the one biggest issue facing Rotorua - and what would you do about it?
The most urgent issue in Rotorua is homelessness. The next government must use all available tools to fix it. But the biggest underlying issue is, how do we make Rotorua a truly world-class city and district that retains its youth and high achievers, while welcoming visitors and new residents? We need more homes, affordable, all types and in the right places.
The CBD will only become truly vibrant once many more people are living there in townhouses and apartments. Our communities, workplaces and schools must be better connected by public transport and cycleways, so everyone can participate fully in society.
We need more forests and better farming to protect our water, soil, and ecology. We must transition to a clean, zero-waste economy where innovative businesses use our abundant renewable energy and wood resources to replace fossil fuels, plastic and our unsustainable throw-away culture. Healthy homes, a smart, green economy, clean water, healthy people.
Why should Rotorua voters vote for you?
Over the past few months the Green Party has led on the big issues, and the other parties have followed. A party vote for the Greens is a vote for clean water and better farming, renewable energy not coal mines and off-shore oil and gas, marine protection not seabed mining, rail not motorways, more forests with fewer pests, and a better, fairer New Zealand that gives our kids, and their kids, a shot at a decent future.
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What has been your proudest achievement to date - in politics or in life?
What do you think is the one biggest issue facing Rotorua - and what would you do about it?
Why should Rotorua voters vote for you?
I'm proud of many things - my family is at the top of the list. Since becoming your MP nine years ago our children have grown up quickly. Nadene has done a fantastic job - they are confident young New Zealanders who are proud to call Rotorua home.
I'm also proud to have delivered for Rotorua. Six hundred local people have bought a first home because of Homestart grants - we're boosting this by up to $30,000 per couple. A Housing Accord will deliver 900 homes and 1050 sections over the next four years, and 117 additional social homes to help those in need.
One of the bigger challenges we face is also an opportunity. Our town is growing, people are choosing to live here with their families. We need to continue to provide opportunities by investing in Rotorua. I remain committed to achieving this and continuing to deliver for Rotorua.
Twenty-seven thousand local homes and businesses can now connect to ultra-fast broadband. We've secured $47.3 million to make our roads safer. We're also investing to support tourism, provide sewerage reticulation at Lake Tarawera and we're opening two new schools next year to improve outcomes for students.
You have a very clear choice at this election.
You can vote for a strong Bill English-led National government and his positive economic leadership or the confusing and vague policies of the opposition - that will slow the economy, destroy jobs and tax Kiwis out of business.
National will invest in the things that matter and our Families Income package will also see 1.3 million families $26 per week better off. A Rotorua family with two children earning $55,000 per annum will get an extra $41 weekly.
This year I need your support to continue to work hard for Rotorua. I ask you to vote for me - Todd McClay and for National on September 23. We are "Delivering for Rotorua".
What has been your proudest achievement to date - in politics or in life?
The first time I made it on to the podium at a World Cup skeleton race was an unbelievable moment. As a Rotorua kid who took on the world, it was the proud result of nine years of training, more injuries than I care to remember, and a lot of struggling and fighting - just to get to the start line. Being able to repay the amazing support of my friends and family by standing on that podium was incredible.
What do you think is the one biggest issue facing Rotorua - and what would you do about it?
Housing is the biggest issue by a landslide. People of all ages and incomes are saying to me that our ability to ensure all Kiwis have the basic right of a warm, dry, healthy home is failing under this government. In our first 100 days, Labour will stop all state house sales and ban foreign speculators from driving home prices out of the reach of middle income New Zealand. We will build 100,000 affordable homes around New Zealand, increase emergency housing options and ensure all rentals are healthy and warm. I don't accept that Rotorua has the nation's second highest rate of homelessness. We can vote for a better, fairer New Zealand and we can do better.
Why should Rotorua voters vote for you?
I care. Labour and I have a vision for Rotorua that embraces our potential to be even better and the policies to make it happen. By ensuring we all have a home and access to healthcare and free education, by returning rail to our region, by making Rotorua the official home of New Zealand's forestry industry and by protecting our environment, we will make our community and economy stronger. We will create jobs, create opportunity and ensure that our community is safer and fairer. Vote for me and for Labour if you believe in a better future.
What has been your proudest achievement to date - in politics or in life?
Being able to open an office in Rotorua as an MP and support individuals and my home town is a literal dream come true.
I have had the luck and privilege of having two of my members' bills drawn in this 51st term. The first was called 'Fighting Foreign Corporate Control'. This bill sought to remove the ISDS (Investor State Dispute Settlement) clause from our international trade agreements.
The second was the International Transparent Treaties Bill which sought to ensure that trade deals were signed with the approval of Parliament and not just the Executive. As we saw with the TPP, it didn't matter what the people of New Zealand wanted, the people were ignored and it was signed without any kind of consensus.
What do you think is the one biggest issue facing Rotorua - and what would you do about it?
Homelessness and income inequality are the biggest issue facing Rotorua. A New Zealand First government would build more homes, we would cut back the huge and unsustainable immigration numbers and stop foreign speculation, freeing up homes for locals.
We would bring the Ministry of Forestry to Rotorua perhaps even the Inland Revenue Department. It used to be based here and we still have a small division operating out of Rotorua. Both could successfully run from here.
New Zealand First would provide resources, and the drive, to work with the council to bring Auckland business and jobs here to Rotorua. Freeing up Auckland a bit and growing our base with high income earners wanting to call Rotorua home.
Why should Rotorua voters vote for you?
I implore people to give me their party vote. That is what will make the difference for the people of Rotorua. I have been and will continue to be another voice for Rotorua in Parliament. Any electorate MP who takes the job for granted will have me on their case in no time flat.
Conservative candidate Owen Patterson could not be contacted.
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