Candidates line up for meetings

Candidate meetings are under brisk preparation six weeks from the general election.

Candidates for the Rangitata electorate will meet at least twice on the hustings this year.

Transition Timaru spokesperson Kate Elsen said the group was organising a debate for the evening of September 10, and South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce chief executive Wendy Smith said the group was organising an early morning candidates’ meeting.

The Chamber had not yet confirmed a time and venue for the event.

The Waitaki electorate has seen its first candidates meeting, and another is being prepared.

The first, held by the Waitaki Multicultural Council, was attended by about 60 people, many of whom asked questions about citizenship and residency processes. Grey Power North Otago is organising another Waitaki candidates’ meeting from 1.30pm to 3pm on September 6 at the Oamaru RSA.

Electors for Te Tai Tonga will be able to see their candidates debate on Maori Television, if all candidates can afford the airfare to Auckland. The debate will take place at the Maori TV headquarters in Auckland on August 25 at 8.30pm.

Candidates in all electorates have until August 26 to be nominated.

members of Parliament from elsewhere are also headed to South Canterbury to drum up support.

Deputy Prime Minister Bill English will be in Timaru for a $55 per person business lunch on Wednesday.

United Future leader Peter Dunne will be attending a New Zealand Deerstalkers’ Association meeting on Wednesday evening at the Caroline Bay Hall.

Green Party MPs Mojo Mathers and Steffan Browning have recently visited town, and local convenor Gerrie Ligtenberg says more sitting MPs may visit South Canterbury during the campaign.