Waiariki candidates vote for change

Election candidates (from left) Te Ururoa Flavell, Rawiri Waititi, Tamati Coffey and Annette Sykes at last night's meeting. Radio announcer Chey Milne (standing) hosted the event. Photo /Adriana Weber

Creating jobs, strengthening the Rotorua economy and giving Maori more opportunities were some of the issues discussed by local election candidates last night.

Dozens of people turned out to the Runanga Tea Rooms at the Government Gardens to hear what four local political candidates had to say ahead of the election.

Waiariki MP Te Ururoa Flavell, with Labour's Waiariki candidate Rawiri Waititi and Mana Movement's Waiariki candidate Annette Sykes took part in the discussion, with Labour Party Rotorua candidate Tamati Coffey also joining in.

New Zealand First Rotorua candidate Fletcher Tabuteau and Rotorua MP Todd McClay did not attend the event, hosted by the Takiwai Rotorua Maori Business Network.

Radio personality Chey Milne conducted the discussion, asking candidates what they saw as the role of government in supporting iwi, hapu and whanau to realise their aspirations in the post-settlement era, and a series of other questions about issues important to Maori.

Mr Flavell said it was important for iwi to be able to make their own decisions about what is right for them.

Mr Waititi agreed, saying the relationship between the government and the iwi will, and needs to, change post-Treaty settlement. When asked what the most important issue facing Rotorua was, Mr Waititi said:

"Unemployment is a huge issue affecting our people in Rotorua. Creating jobs is essential, and not only creating jobs, but creating jobs that people want to wake up to, jobs that pay well."

Ms Sykes said tapping into other markets, such as information technology, could provide employment opportunities for those in Rotorua.

Investing in training and education was also crucial for getting more people into employment in the city, she said.

Mr Coffey said he believed the biggest concern for Rotorua was the lack of growth in the region, citing the many empty shops in the city centre.

Mr Coffey said the Labour Party's regional development plan would greatly benefit the area and boost the manufacturing and forestry industries here.