Residents query mayoral hopefuls

Napier mayoral candidates, from left, Bill Dalton, Rob Lutter, Michelle Pyke, John Cocking and David Trim will be at the Napier Sailing Club tonight for a debate.

Napier residents will have the opportunity to decide who should be their mayor at a Meet Your Mayor debate tonight.

The debate, organised by Hawke's Bay Today and Newstalk ZB in conjunction with Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce, will be held at the Napier Sailing Club, Ahuriri, at 6pm.

Five of the six candidates, John Cocking, Bill Dalton, Rob Lutter, Michelle Pyke, and David Trim have confirmed their attendance, with Roy Sye unconfirmed but expected to attend.

The debate will be moderated by Chamber of Commerce CEO Wayne Walford. Entry will be a gold coin with proceeds going to Hawke's Bay Cancer Society.

Hawke's Bay Today editor Andrew Austin said the newspaper and its radio partner, Newstalk ZB, had decided to host the debates in a bid to give residents the opportunity to make up their minds.

"We are pleased that the Chamber of Commerce has joined us in hosting these debates because we want voters to be able to hear the candidates for themselves."

He said it would be an opportunity for the candidates to tell voters their plans for the city.

A straw poll of the audience will be conducted and the results published in Hawke's Bay Today.

Hastings residents will also have an opportunity to hear the three candidates for mayor - Lawrence Yule, Wayne Bradshaw and Simon Nixon - at a debate on Wednesday, September 25, at the Karamu High School Hall at 6pm.

Readers are invited to send in questions they would like the candidates asked. Questions can be emailed to editor@hbtoday.co.nz and should be accompanied by a full name and address.