From RNZ · RNZ | Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa · · 1m
Water pistols, National absent from Aro Valley debate
Aro Valley candidates debate features water pistols and heckling as National skips event.
In brief
Aro Valley candidates debate features water pistols and heckling as National skips event. National party absent from Aro Valley candidates debate; water pistols replace physical water pistols for time limits. Originally reported by RNZ.
Aro Valley debate
Wellington North electorate held a candidates debate at Aro Valley Community Centre on Thursday night.
Crowd outside
Attendees stood outside the community centre in the rain to hear candidates debate as windows were packed.
Candidates present
Labour's Dr Ayesha Verrall, NZ First's Taylor Arneil, Alliance's Josh Harford and Greens' Tamatha Paul attended.
Water pistols
Sound technician used buzzing noise instead of water pistols to alert candidates over time limits.
Heckling
ACT's Matthew Hague was repeatedly booed as crowd chanted 'tatou tatou e' during his response.
Aftermath
Attendees left the debate after two hours, with some changing their vote from Greens to Alliance.
The bottom line
National party absent from Aro Valley candidates debate; water pistols replace physical water pistols for time limits.
