A record 21 candidates for Kāpiti council turned out to face their most daunting audience yet, a room full of young people.
Kāpiti Youth Service (KYS) held their Pizza, Pals & Politics with a full crowd and a great atmosphere.
Organiser Jess Smith says she was very pleased with the number of candidates who came to the meeting and their willingness to engage with many of the issues facing the youth of Kāpiti.
All speakers had three minutes to wow the young voters. Then followed ‘quickfire’ questions (which left a few candidates stumped at having to give very brief answers), then the floor was opened to general questions from the audience.
Several themes shone through – Housing, employment, health care, education and climate change as well as the provision of facilities for the youth of Kāpiti, particularly indoor activities during the autumn/winter months. There was also an opportunity for many of the candidates, for whom the first bloom of youth has passed, to reflect on their own youthful experiences and relate them to issues facing young people today.
What the meeting did very successfully was sharpen the focus of all candidates on the importance of hearing the voice of the young.
In such an environment it was fitting that candidates to shine were Sophie Handford, Jordon Wansbrough, and Asher Wilson-Goldman, the three youngest candidates.
Ms Handford, current Raumati-Paekākāriki councillor says the feedback has been very good. “We answered some extremely important pātai around housing, climate action, education and work opportunities, valuing and supporting organisations like KYS and Zeal, public transport, vibrant public spaces and more.”
Jordon Wansbrough is a council candidate in the Waikanae Ward and is standing on a strong platform of representing mana whenua, youth, and those with disabilities.
Asher Wilson-Goldman, a candidate for Greater Wellington Regional Council, has been very impressive with his energy and knowledge at every candidates’ meeting.
It was also acknowledged among the candidates that MC Tegan Harris had done an outstanding job of chairing the meeting and along with timekeeper Jess Smith kept candidates in line throughout.
Candidates who attended were:
Mayors: Murray Lobb, Martin Halliday, Michelle Lewis, Janet Holborow, and Rob McCann.
Districtwide: Maria McMillan, Ian Powell, Mark Benton, Rob Kofoed, and Lawrence Kirby.
Paraparaumu Ward: Kathy Spiers, Martin Frauenstein, David Ogden.
Waikanae Ward: Jordon Wansbrough, Gerald Ponsford, Jocelyn Prvanov, and Nigel Wilson.
Raumati-Paekākāriki Ward: Sophie Handford, and Richard Young.
Greater Wellington: Penny Gaylor, and Asher Wilson-Goldman.
