Whanganui election candidates lightly grilled at forum

CAMPAIGN TRAIL: Harete Hipango, Nicola Patrick, Steph Lewis and Reg Skipworth at Stratford on Monday.

Despite Stratford mayor Neil Volzke telling the crowd "a little bit of heckling is almost mandatory at these events", the crowd at Monday's Meet The Candidates evening was remarkably well behaved.

Mr Volzke was MC for the Stratford election forum, which featured four of the five candidates for the Whanganui electorate.

More than 60 voters turned out to hear from Harete Hipango (National), Steph Lewis (Labour), Nicola Patrick (Greens) and Reg Skipworth (New Zealand First) at an event hosted by the Stratford Positive Ageing group and the Stratford District Youth Council.

Questions on a range of topics - from affordable housing and student loans to abortion laws and parental notification - were fired at the candidates who, along with Alan Davidson of the Act Party, will be on the September 23 ballot paper.

While most questions were to all candidates, Ms Hipango was singled out by one member of the audience.

Anton Skipworth, son of New Zealand First candidate Reg Skipworth, asked her: "How can the general New Zealand electorate trust a National government to deliver when we have the highest rates of homelessness in all of the western world?"

As Ms Hipango answered, she was interrupted by Mr Skipworth.

"You asked me the question, now allow me to answer," she responded, to applause from the audience.

On the topic of student loans, Ms Lewis told the crowd cost should not be a barrier to investing in the next generation and their education.

Ms Patrick suggested some money spent on roading could be better spent on education, only to be faced with calls from the floor saying investment in roading was needed in Taranaki.

Mr Skipworth wanted a debt write-off scheme for graduates who obtained qualifications in areas of need.

The final question of the evening saw Mr Volzke ask about the condition of State Highway 43.

"I couldn't miss the opportunity to raise this," he said to cheering and laughter.

While none of the candidates could guarantee immediate action, they all agreed it was an important regional highway.