Taranaki election debates a success
Our three election debates held over recent weeks were a success with 350 attending our events. Firstly, a big thank you to the candidates who agreed to participate: in Inglewood we had Barbara Kuriger (National), David Pattemore (Labour) and Teanau Tuiono (Greens); in New Plymouth Amanda Clinton-Ghodes (Labour), Sarah Lucas (Opportunity) and David MacLeod (National); in Hāwera Debbie Ngarewa-Packer (Te Pāti Māori), Te Pūoho Kātene (Labour), Carl Bates (National) and Green Party MP who attended both the New Plymouth and Hāwera debates.
Secondly, a big thank you to our hosts. The Inglewood Hall is a magnificent venue – what a community taonga. In New Plymouth, Waimanako was the perfect place to have these discussions with a very powerful kōrero by Jamie Allen at the end of the meeting and such a dedicated team making sure the big crowd was comfortable and had a kai and hot drinks. In Hāwera, we need to acknowledge Aotea waka who held the space and spoke truth to power. Kei te rere ngā mihi ki a koutou.
At the start of the year, we had the lofty goal to make climate change an election issue. In the words of our member Ali: “This is a climate election.” We saw the debates as a vehicle to make some noise and in our view, it has worked. We had 40 people turn up in Inglewood, over 200 in New Plymouth and more than 100 in Hāwera – all with a shoestring budget. We collaborated on developing a run-sheet and a series of questions and then the night would generate its own dynamics.
With only three candidates at the Inglewood hui, we were able to get deep into the respective policy platforms. It was the night PM Christopher Luxon called for another leadership confidence vote so there were plenty of jokes around. David Pattemore did well as a political newcomer going up against two sitting MPs, with Barbara Kuriger holding the role of Deputy Speaker of the House, and Teanaui Tuiono acting as the Third Assistant Speaker. Teanau is no stranger to Climate Justice Taranaki. He has supported our events and protests on many occasions over the years, so it was good to catch up with him. Inglewood was probably the most ‘chill’ out of the three events, with lots of laughter, but also robust discussion.
New Plymouth was intense partially because the venue was absolutely packed. There was clearly a lot of interest, with journalists attending and the room filling up half an hour before we got started. One of the funniest moments was when Scott Willis MP for the Greens was asked as to why a South Island candidate is at an election debate in Taranaki. He goes: “I just bought a property up here” – the crowd grumbling – “nah, just joking!” David MacLeod struggled to connect with the crowd, particularly when it came to LNG. Credit to him for showing up though, but Amanda Clinton-Ghodes definitely appeared to have the room on her side. While there was plenty of heckling during the debate, the crowd was completely silent to listen to Jamie Allen’s passionate speech at the end. You can watch the whole New Plymouth debate on Bryan Vickery’s Facebook page.
The Hāwera hui was also lively, but had a more antagonistic undertone than New Plymouth. We noted the apologies of Labour candidate Angela Roberts, but with Whanganui and Te Taihāuru candidates at the same debate, this was always going to be an ambitious night. National MP Carl Bates really didn’t ‘read the room’ and attracted a lot of the crowd’s focus with his constant barrage of National Party policy. Mana whenua representatives rightly took the mic and challenged him and the coalition he represents. The debate between Debbie Ngarewa-Packer and Te Pūoho Kātene allowed for a nuanced analysis on the difference between Labour and Te Pāti Māori. We have known whaea Debbie for many years, as a champion for her people, taiao and particular the moana. Te Pūoho might be a political greenhorn, but he speaks well and is rhetorically talented.
While we had no journalists attend the Inglewood debate, the New Plymouth and Hāwera events resulted in some fantastic coverage. We took out the frontpage of the Taranaki Daily News with the New Plymouth, and then followed it up with another article the next day with coverage of the Hāwera debate. The Opunake Coastal News had a nice write-up of the New Plymouth event, Taiuru News published a video focusing on the Te Hauāuru candidates at the Hāwera debate while Local Democracy Reporter Craig Ashworth focused on the local government reforms. And we got a mention on Radio NZ.
Overall, this has been a positive series of meetings, particularly branching out of New Plymouth and taking our kōrero to Inglewood and Hāwera. Finally, a huge mihi to our Climate Justice Taranaki members around the mounga who volunteer countless hours of their time to make these things happen.
Earth’s Greatest Enemy at Te Whare Hononga
Great turnout at our screening of Earth’s Greatest Enemy and insightful kōrero from our panel of speakers from Parihaka, Palestinian Solidarity Taranaki, World Beyond Wars, the Green Party and host Jay Ruka, Dean of Taranaki Cathedral.
The film was truly provocative and eye-opening, focussing on the US military war machine and its impacts on people, the climate and environment.
Great news on LNG
No LNG contract will be signed before the general election, yeah!
It’s a clear sign that the coalition government is rupturing under public pressure. And you are part of this, well done and thank you to everybody and especially the teams at Taranaki Energy Watch, Lawyers for Climate Action and Community Energy Taranaki.
The full paged local response in the Taranaki Daily News is a great read. Take time to celebrate the way you like!
Our 1769 strong petition was delivered to National MP David MacLeod on 14th September with half a dozen of us speaking with him in earnest. On the 22nd, the petition was presented in Parliament (video at 02:02).
This is not the end of our fight though, as misinformation on fossil fuels and energy proliferates and climate policy regresses. We have been invited to send in a written submission to the Petitions Committee by the 20th October. It is crucial that after having a much-deserved break and celebration, we keep our pressure up so that the dangerous, expensive and unnecessary LNG import plan is off the table of the new government. Ask questions of your MPs and candidates, talk about it with your friends, and keep the issues alive.
Get enrolled before 25th Oct and vote
Do check that you are enrolled to vote for the election. Make sure you put in your name and address correctly and re-enrol now if you are not on it. Remind your friends and whanau too. The final enrolment date is 25th October.
There are a few party scorecards if you’re interested, prepared by Climate Club, Greenpeace and Oxfam.
Events
The super El Niño: what does it mean for us?
Thu 1 Oct 5:30–7:30pm
This public talk by Dr Jen Purdie at Tūhura Otago Museum will be livestreamed for all who want to hear about the likely impacts on Ōtago, Aotearoa and internationally, and what this has to do with climate change. Register here.
Beyond Small Talk at Puke Ariki
This is a wonderful local initiative designed to nurture more mutual listening, understanding and respectful connection across difference.
4 Oct – Families and Communities Thriving through Empathy: an introduction to nonviolent communication
15 Oct – Putting Peace Trolling into Practice
1 Nov – Depolarisation initiatives: What, So what? What next?
Details and registration here.
