Rangitikei and Te Tai Hauauru candidates have been challenged as to how they will get central government help to the regions.
The question was raised several times at Thursday's candidates forum in Marton where about 70 people turned up to hear the candidates vision for the area.
Candidates were also quizzed on areas such as water quality and climate change after they made party pitches.
"I came for the education policy but I stayed for the other policies which are great," Labour's Rangitikei candidate Heather Warren said.
"The regions know what's best for the regions and often central government tries to enforce one size fits all and the one size often doesn't fit the various needs of regions."
Te Tai Hauauru MP, Labour's Adrian Rurawhe, pointed out that on Thursday there was only one rental property in the Rangitikei District available on TradeMe.
"We have to do something about our housing issue."
He said central government had put too much responsibility on ratepayers.
"We need to have a real relationship and a real partnership between local and central Government."
Rangitikei MP, National's Ian McKelvie countered housing concerns by saying six years ago people were worried because house prices had dipped below the value of people's mortgages. That had changed.
He said regional development was a significant challenge but there were positive signs such as tourism coming to the north of the region.
"National stands for enabling people to get on with their own lives and better their own lives."
Robin McCandless said while the Greens supported high standards, government could not keeping writing cheques that local government had to pay for like he'd seen when he was working in Wellington.
"A lot of that was very frustrating trying to get central government bureaucrats to cut through the paperwork and get to the bit where they help people," he said.
"The Greens aren't about tinkering and managerial politics. We want big change."
Act candidate for Rangitikei Neil Wilson was unavailable and Whanganui's Alan Davidson stood in for him.
He said regional development was tough but he stood for smaller government.
"I'm not sure there are easy answers."
Maori Party challenger in Te Tai Hauauru Howie Tamati said he was new to the issues of the region but brought 15 years of local government experience with him.
"I don't know enough about the region and I have to be honest with you on that. This is part of someone who is new in the campaign. All I can do its take on board and listen."
NZ First's Rangitikei candidate Rob Stevenson said he had been living in Northland and working with party leader Winston Peters in his electorate.
He said since Mr Peters had become MP for Northland, the region had seen an increase in government spending.
"I think more regions around New Zealand could do with that influence. I understand the frustration."