Local candidates face the burning questions on climate policy, the environment and social justice

Community group Climate Justice Taranaki is excited to organise three election debates in the lead-up to the general election in November where local candidates will face the burning questions on climate policy, the environment and social justice. Aspiring MPs will have the opportunity to convince us voters how their policies will address the climate crisis in what we are hoping will be a lively and vigorous but fair and just discussion. Events in New Plymouth, Inglewood and Hāwera ensure that we cover all four Taranaki electorates. 

INGLEWOOD – 11th August

In Inglewood, sitting MP Barbara Kuriger (National Party) will face her challenger David Pattemore (Labour Party). The Taranaki-King Country electorate has been a safe seat for National since it was established in 1996. Is 2026 the year of change? Farming will be front and center at this debate. Barbara has a dairy farming background while David has a PhD in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and spent 15 years as a crop pollination scientist at Plant and Food Research. Who has the solutions to bring down our agricultural emissions?

Come along, on Tuesday, 11th August, 6pm, at the Inglewood Town Hall. Bring your questions. 

NEW PLYMOUTH – 9th September

In New Plymouth, sitting MP David MacLeod (National Party) will face his challenger Amanda Clinton-Gohdes (Labour Party). New Plymouth has been one of these swing-electorates that has gone backwards and forwards. Is former district councillor Amanda riding the ‘change-the-government’ wave to parliament this year? We will talk about the proposed LNG terminal, public transport, oil and gas drilling and how we get people out of poverty. Who has the solutions for a renewable energy strategy?

Come along, on Wednesday, 9th September, 5.30pm, at Waimanako, 35 Octavius Place, New Plymouth . Bring your questions. 

HĀWERA – 10th September

In the Whanganui electorate that stretches well into South Taranaki, sitting MP Carl Bates (National Party) will face his challenger Angela Roberts (Labour Party). Te Pāti Māori co-leader Debbie Ngarwa-Packer and her opponent Te Pūoho Kātene (invited) from Labour will meet kanohi ki te kanohil in a Te Tai Hauāuru debate – expect some fireworks for sure. We will talk about seabed mining, agricultural emissions and constitutional reform. Who has the solutions for a fair and just Aotearoa?

Come along, on Thursday, 10th September – venue and time tbc. Bring your questions.