Whanganui candidates woo Grey Power voters

Whanganui's five election candidates debated the issues at a Grey Power meeting on Thursday. Photo/ Stuart Munro

The five in the running to be Whanganui's next MP have made their pitch to Grey Power voters.

About 150 turned out to a Grey Power candidates meeting at the Central Baptist Church on Thursday afternoon.

Perhaps feeling his home match, New Zealand First candidate Reg Skipworth pushed his party's ideas to strengthen the SuperGold card.

It would add three free doctors visits each year and a 10 per cent discount to winter power bills to entitlements as well as keeping the retirement age at 65.

"NZ First has not forgotten seniors. The others might have by chucking money at everyone else."

National's candidate Harete Hipango touted her deep Whanganui links having spent most of her life "living and being immersed in our community, and knowing our community".

She gave a teasing answer when quizzed from the audience about any Government contribution to roofing the velodrome.

"What I will share is watch this space," she said.

The questioner replied: "But how long do we watch this space?"

"It may be before the election, it may be after. All good things come in time."

Ms Hipango said National had built a strong economy which would allow it to invest in people's needs.

"We have the plan, we have the detail, we have the leadership... we are not hearing that from opposition."

In talking about the regions, Green Party candidate Nicola Patrick wondered "if [National] purposely left out the delivering for all New Zealanders".

She pitched her party's pledge to establish an aged-care commissioner, to keep the superannuation entitlement at 65 and her support to legalise euthanasia.

"We believe that dignity in death is a human right."

Labour Steph Lewis said regional development needed to be supported and spoke of her struggle to find a graduate job in her hometown Whanganui.

She said she helped get Labour to commit $3 million towards the Whanganui Port redevelopment.

"We must do more to attract high-skilled employers here. We can shift public sector jobs back to the regions like they used to be."

Questioned over her party's proposed water royalty in what a member of the audience said was an infinite resource, she replied: "Quality, pristine drinking water is a finite resource.

Act's Alan Davidson drew an unintentional giggle when talking benefits.

There were too many able-bodied people on benefits, he said, but "If you're old or disabled, if you're insane, vote for Act because we'll look after you."

He pushed a hands-off Government: "It's not the Government's job to provide employment and run the economy".

"After the election cows may well be an endangered species and farmers not far behind. The opposition parties want to kill the goose."