Clean politics on the agenda

From left, Greens co-leader Dr Russel Norman, Act Party leader Jamie Whyte, and local New Zealand First candidate Fletcher Tabuteau at the debate. Photo / Ben Fraser

There's not much representatives from the Green Party, New Zealand First and the Act Party are likely to agree on, but when it comes to the "dirty" state of New Zealand politics, they all agree it needs to change.

Yesterday Greens co-leader Dr Russel Norman, Act Party leader Dr Jamie Whyte, and local New Zealand First candidate Fletcher Tabuteau took part in a Grey Power debate and meeting at Rotorua's Bainbridge Centre.

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters and Conservative Party leader Colin Craig had been scheduled to take part in the debate, but pulled out.

Dozens of people turned out to the event, where the politicians had limited time to answer three questions, before members of the audience asked any questions that came to mind. One of the hot topics was the state of New Zealand politics, following the recent release of Nicky Hager's book Dirty Politics.

Yesterday a letter was released that suggested Prime Minister John Key was told of the SIS's intention to release sensitive documents to Whale Oil blogger Cameron Slater.

"John Key's argument was that he didn't know about it, his office did, but he didn't. Maybe that's true, but the problem with his story is that the document is quite specific that it's about him," Dr Norman said. Dr Norman said he had entered politics to make a positive difference, but not all shared his motive.

"For me, politics is about bringing out the best in us, and making us the best people we can be, both individually and collectively.

"That's what politics is supposed to be about. I think we're going through a bit of a dark, dirty period but we can come out of it," he said.

Dr Whyte said he agreed with Dr Norman, and thought both parties "play pretty cleanly", while larger parties played dirtier because they competed in "crowded territory".

"I hope that we can continue to play cleanly and that's the way politics in New Zealand can work in the future."

Mr Tabuteau said while leader Winston Peters and New Zealand First had, in the past, been "sent through the muck", none of the muck was ever able to stick.

He said when Mr Peters attacked, he did so with the principle in mind that politicians, the country's leaders, needed to be held accountable for their actions.

"It's dark days for politics. It's an unfortunate time in New Zealand political history, but I stand before you today, and say, I have a clean slate, there's nothing in my closet, and I go into politics as an honest, Kiwi bloke," Mr Tabuteau said.

Other issues discussed included the rates rebate scheme, higher wages for those who take care of the elderly in their homes, child poverty, superannuation and pressure on local governments.

Grey Power Rotorua president Rosemary MacKenzie said it was important to give people, including the elderly, an opportunity to hear what politicians had to say.