Election 2017: Flaxmere crowd pleased with all three electorate candidates

The crowd at the Ikaroa-Rawhiti election debate held at Irongate School hall in Flaxmere last night. Photo/ Paul Taylor.

A strong crowd filled the Irongate School hall last night to hear the three Ikaroa-Rawhiti candidates show their intentions for the electorate.

Maori Party co-leader Marama Fox came out firing, pleasing the audience of about 80, with her "passion" and "drive" and for just "clearly knowing her stuff".

Flaxmere resident Larry Jessup said Ms Fox's presentation and the way she answered the questions stood out for him.

"She understands us and the complexities and she has been in parliament for a while so knows what is going on."

Lou Hutchinson was another keen supporter of Ms Fox and said to loose her in this year's election would be "insanity".

She said people didn't understand what Ms Fox had done in the last few years, as she "revived the party and built connections across the whole house".

"To me, Marama performed the best tonight and three years ago I was with Labour and Anna Lorck but when I heard Marama and what she spoke of I was amazed by her so swapped parties."

However, both Mr Jessup and Ms Hutchinson were also pleased with Labour candidate and incumbent Meka Whaitiri and Greens candidate Elizabeth Kerekere.

"All three understand the social issues and they actually walk the talk, they live it and breathe it every day instead of just being a group of bankers," Ms Hutchinson said.

Mr Jessup said it was a real shame not all three could represent the electorate as they were a group of "articulate and educated" women, who had been in touch with everyone.

"They have been going up and down the iwi in the electorate making sure they understand our issues."

Another man thought Ms Kerekere performed exceptionally well given this was her first time campaigning.

"I think she is awesome and she will definitely be around for a lot longer yet."