Election 2017: Whanganui candidates talk youth issues

Whanganui candidates. from left, Harete Hipango, Alan Davidson, Steph Lewis, Nicola Patrick and Reg Skipworth answer questions of moderator Jonathan de Jongh. Photo/ Zaryd Wilson

As the election campaign enters its final fortnight Whanganui candidates moved on from wooing Grey Power to getting down with the kids.

Whanganui District Council's youth committee hosted the most recent candidates meeting at Article on Monday.

On the agenda: education, the environment and drugs and alcohol.

Labour's Steph Lewis, the youngest of the five candidates at 29, told the 30 youth in attendance that Parliament should reflect the population it represents.

She said there was only one MP under 30 at the moment "and he's has to resign because he got himself in a wee bit of hot water".

"We need more young people in Parliament. It's absolutely essential we have a voice at the table," she said.

The Green's Nicola Patrick pointed to the party's youthful list which included 23-year-old Chloe Swarbrick.

"The Green Party is the party that is looking at progressive issues. It is looking to the future about how we can do things differently."

Act's Alan Davidson was not to be outdone.

"I believe it's time that we boomers let go an let younger people take over. And Act's list is loaded with younger people."

National's Harete Hipango said her party aligned with her idea of personal responsibility aligned with her party.

"I don't come from wealth or richness or privilege other than the values I grew up with," she said.

Ms Hipango said she had spent 30 years working with a range of people in the community and represented diversity.

On other's call for more free tertiary education Ms Hipango argued students already only pay 27 per cent of tertiary fees.

In response to Mr Davidson's suggestion that Government had no obligation to provide jobs New Zealand First's Reg Skipworth begged to differ.

"I don't believe that the Government hasn't got a responsibility in working with youth and getting employment.

Mr Skipworth said NZ First was not just a part for superannuitants.

"We are here for everyone."

On drugs and alcohol Mr Davidson said the focus needed to be on controlling demand rather than supply.

"Act tends to be more liberal and say 'if you want to smoke it, smoke it. But I personally would advise people against alcohol, drinking too much and doing drugs.

Ms Lewis backed banning alcohol advertising.

"I think that's something we can do without."

Mr Skipworth supported binding referendum on all drug and alcohol issues.

Ms Patrick said the war on drugs had failed and there should be a controlled marijuana industry in New Zealand.

"This week Bill English said on the radio he didn't want a marijuana industry in New Zealand. Well guess what? We've got one, it's just below the radar."

Ms Hipango disagreed that the war on drugs has not been successful.

"If something's worthwhile pursing you continue to do it."

But some things needed to change, she said.

"There are many people who are remanded in custody, they simply don't have access to the access to the treatment they require."