Election 2026: Whanganui candidates name biggest issues facing electorate
Whanganui voters go to the polls on November 7, with no local MP having won re-election since Chester Borrows. In the first of an election series, Mike Tweed asks the five electorate candidates what they believe are the big issues in this election cycle.
Carl Bates, National
Bates, the incumbent, said three main issues arose from interactions over the past three years – affordability, housing and healthcare.
“I’ve surveyed thousands of constituents, and I’ve knocked on thousands of doors.
“Clearly, [National] have done a number of things in that [affordability] space already. But there is still more work to do.”
Replacing the Dublin St Bridge was on the horizon, with government funding for investigation work.
“That is being led by the [Whanganui] district council.
“At this stage, there is not a next step that needs to be committed to, but it is something I continue to advocate for.”
He had visited more than 60 of the electorate’s 72 schools and people were concerned progress in education would be “reversed under a change of government”.
“Chris Hipkins’ comments on the [TVNZ] leaders debate have really scared parents, that practical improvement in learning, through an hour of reading, writing and arithmetic, will be taken away.”
Juan Coffey, Balance New Zealand
Coffey, managing director of JJ Roofing and Rivercity Painting, said small business, which he “lived and breathed”, was the electorate’s backbone and needed support.
“I am at the coal face, and I employ youth and take people off the dole and give them careers and opportunities.
“The foundation of a strong community is small business. An example is my builder who sponsors Marist Rugby.
“If those businesses are just surviving, they don’t have the means to reach out and make that community healthier.”
There were empty shops in Whanganui, and more in smaller, rural centres.
Healthcare needed to be easy to access.
“You ring a doctor and you can’t get in for two weeks, so you’re forced to go and sit at WAM [Whanganui Accident and Emergency].
“Everyone knows what it’s like to go there. You see people on Facebook asking how long the wait is.
“Critical services just aren’t being funded properly, and it needs to be sorted out.”
Harete Hipango-Brownlie, New Zealand First
The one-term former National MP for Whanganui said she recently spent time in Waimarino, with feedback centring on the struggling economy, law and order, and cost of living.
“A litre of gas is nudging up to $4.
“Two business owners, who have been there for over 30 years, are noticing people have less to spend.”
New Zealanders were also noticing a distinct shift in social issues.
“The term ‘social engineering’ is something I’ve heard from others, coming through our educational sector.
“There is an influence of things that are not focused on intellect but focused on identity issues.
“It’s not just my concern. This is consistent throughout [the electorate].”
Methamphetamine use was rising and gangs were “coming into town”.
“There are commercial gains to be had for them.
“Organised crime and the importation of meth is a big one, and people are becoming more aware of it.”
Sandra Kyle, Animal Justice Party
Kyle, who ran unsuccessfully for Whanganui District Council last year, said her party’s focus was “giving a voice to the animals”.
“There are a couple of things close to my heart that are relevant here in Whanganui.
“There are an estimated 250,000 life-chained dogs in this country, and whichever way you look at it, there are bound to be a lot here.
“Anna Fuller from ARAN Animal Rescue NZ has confirmed it is an issue, but it’s often out of sight.”
Rescue dogs from those environments exhibited anxiety and behavioural problems, making them harder to rehome.
People in Whanganui were spending money to feed colony cats, but the key was to trap, neuter and release them.
“It would be great to have a mobile clinic come up from Massey [University] every now and then to do some cheap desexing.
“We oppose the current war on cats, because the killing of feral cats is not only cruel, but also ineffective. Our own companion moggies are sometimes caught up as well.
“You cull cats, and that just draws new ones into that territory and increases breeding.”
Angela Roberts, Labour
The former list MP said conversations on doorsteps, “it doesn’t matter if it’s in Waimarino or Whanganui”,were all about cost of living.
“It’s death by 1000 cuts – rates, rental affordability, engaging in health services, or the cost of your petrol and groceries.
“An economy is a complex ecosystem. For me, it isn’t just about trying to chip away at the things that are causing prices to go up.
“We need to lift wages, because that fuels the economy. Trickle-up works, not trickle-down.”
There had to be a more holistic approach to the economy, “and there has to be a how”.
“Commerce is a vital part of it, but you can be a little more creative than saying, ‘We’re just going to have austerity’.
“That doesn’t work, and it certainly doesn’t work for smaller communities.”
The minimum wage would be frozen if the coalition Government returned to power.
“We don’t grow the economy by paying a 19-year-old less than $15 an hour. A 19-year-old who may have been in the workforce for three years and be highly skilled and may have children to feed.
“Increasing poverty doesn’t grow the economy.”
Mike Tweed is a multimedia journalist at the Whanganui Chronicle. Since starting in March 2020, he has dabbled in everything from sport to music. At present his focus is local government, primarily Whanganui District Council.