Business South hosted its Ōamaru Candidate’s Discussion Panel breakfast on Friday (September 8), the first of three local events inviting Waitaki electorate candidates to make their case for the upcoming general election.

Candidates Ethan Reille (Labour), Miles Anderson (National), Sean Beamish (ACT New Zealand) and Roger Small (Democracy NZ) took turns to answer a series of business-focused questions in front of an engaged audience.

Business South Waitaki navigator Rebecca Finlay said the questions had come from Business South members, “directly from people who are operating businesses and the concerns that they have”.

Candidates were asked about their respective party’s positions on a range of questions including support for “cross-party agreement on minimum wage settings” and how their policies could “support the Waitaki electorate to sustainably grow”, through to co-governance, three waters, housing and skills shortages over the ensuing 90 minutes.

The audience questioned parties’ respective stances on supporting the future growth of Waitaki as a designated Unesco global geopark and the Treaty of Waitangi.

As the event came to an end, Rebecca invited the audience to stay to hear some words from late addition, Ray Bailey, of the New Zealand Loyal party. 

Ōamaru Grey Power hosted its Meet 2023’s Election Candidates event at the A&P Showgrounds on Ettrick Street on Saturday, at 1.30pm, while the Rotary Club of Ōamaru is hosting it’s Meet the Candidates event at the Ōamaru Opera House this Thursday (September 14) at 6.30pm.