It was a light-hearted meeting with a serious subject - who local Maori will pick to represent them for the next three years.
With Rotorua's local body elections under way it was an opportunity for Rotorua's Maori candidates to let those interested know why the audience should tick their box before voting ends on October 12.
About 35 people met to listen to Maori candidates standing for election to the Rotorua District Council, Rotorua mayoralty, Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Lakes District Health Board at Te Kura O Te Whakarewarewa last night.
Of the 16 Maori candidates, 13 attended the meeting.
They were - Ratu Tibble, Kiri Potaka-Dewes, Tania Tapsell, Trevor Maxwell, Hemi Bennett, Tai Eru, Janine Bosma, Mericia Waqanimaravu, Merepeka Raukawa-Tait, Leith Comer, Debs Rahurahu and Elaine Macfarlane.