Only suicide prevention unites

It was a lively gathering in Wanganui's Majestic Square that listened to candidates' views on drugs, gambling and suicide in a forum put on by Maori organisation Nga Tai o te Awa.

Master of ceremonies Jay Rerekura said the forum was held at the request of kaumatua (elders), who wanted those issues on candidates' radar.

There was a wide spectrum of views across the candidates, from Whanganui MP Chester Borrows' defence of the Sky City convention centre deal to others condemning it. But there was agreement as well, with Green Party Te Tai Hauauru candidate Jack McDonald supporting the Maori Party's Whanau Ora policy.

Whanganui Labour candidate Hamish McDouall began by emphasising child poverty.

"There are 260,000 children growing up in poverty, and 100,000 of them growing up in working families. That isn't good enough. New Zealand is a better place than that."

Mr Borrows was firm in his views on cannabis.

"I have seen untold damage through use and abuse of cannabis. My party will not be letting up on it," he said.

Mr McDonald said the Greens were committed to a sinking lid policy on pokie machines, and would work with any other party to achieve that.

Maori Party candidate for Whanganui Nancy Tuaine said gambling was an addiction, should be treated as a health problem and Whanau Ora had a lot to offer. "We've had the last three years to embed it, but no opportunity to let it grow."

The Democrats for Social Credit candidate for Whanganui, Heather Marion Smith, said Prime Minister John Key was the biggest gambler of all.

"He's gambling not only with our currency but with other currencies as well."

Jordan Winiata said Internet/Mana was all for abolishing pokie machines and the corner bottle stores that were having a negative impact on communities.

Suicide prevention was surely an issue all the parties could agree to work together on, Mr McKenzie said.

"I agree with all the candidates up here. Vote for us, because we will work with everybody."