Free tertiary education and cleaner waterways are some of the issues candidates vying for the Maori seat of Ikaroa-Rawhiti will debate on Friday.
Ngati Kahungunu iwi will host the debate, chaired by Ngahiwi Tomoana, at Heretaunga Taiwhenua in Hastings.
The electorate takes in the eastern side of the North Island from just north of Wellington to East Cape. Itvis home to the second largest iwi in Aotearoa, Ngati Porou, and Ngati Kahungunu which is the third biggest.
The four candidates are: Marama Fox (Maori Party), Henare Kani (Green Party), Te Hamua Nikora (Mana Party) and the incumbent, Meka Whaitiri who wants to retain the seat for the Labour Party.
The promotions and event manager for Ngati Kahungunu says with three iwi members standing for the Ikaroa-Rawhiti seat, the debate is a chance for the tribe to gives all four candidates the opportunity to share their views.
Te Rangi Huata said those included concerns about health, the environment and education.
Mr Huata said the concern was for people to be more informed about the options available to them rather than increasing the number of people voting.
He said the venue, Heretaunga Taiwhenua, could seat up to 200 people.
Henare Kani Photo: SUPPLIED
Meka Whaitiri. Photo: RNZ
Marama Fox Photo: SUPPLIED
Te Hamua Nikora. Photo: RNZ
