# Nelson Debate Focuses on Cost of Living and Marine Issues

> Nelson candidates debate cost of living, youth drain, and marine protection ahead of election.
- Title: Nelson Debate Focuses on Cost of Living and Marine Issues
- Summary: Nelson candidates debate cost of living, youth drain, and marine protection ahead of election. Nelson candidates discussed rising living costs, youth…
- Keywords: nelson, cost of living, youth drain, marine protection, nelson debate, election 2026, labour, national, green party, act, politics, news
- Source: RNZ — https://rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/2230656/cost-of-living-youth-drain-and-marine-protection-dominate-final-nelson-debate
- Author: RNZ | Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa
- Published: 2026-10-29T17:27:25+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: nelson, cost of living, youth drain, marine protection, nelson debate, election 2026, labour, national, green party, act, politics, news
## Final Nelson Debate
Nelson candidates debated cost of living, youth drain, and marine protection ahead of election.
## Election Result Shift
National's Blair Cameron lost to Labour's Rachel Boyack after a recount with a 26 vote lead.
## Blair Cameron's Goal
Cameron aims to attract young people to Nelson Tasman as an exciting place for careers.

> My goal, if I get to be your MP, is to shift the perception of our region from somewhere that's just a nice place to retire to somewhere where it's an exciting place for young people to start their careers.
## Rachel Boyack's Concerns
Boyack highlighted rising living costs and healthcare challenges affecting Nelson residents.

> Every person I speak to talks to about the challenges they're facing with the increase in the cost of fuel, the increase in the cost of groceries, increase in the cost of doing business.
## Marine Protection Debate
Boyack supports phasing out bottom trawling but warns an outright ban would harm the region.

> We do have to address the impacts of bottom trawling, there's no doubt about that and it can cause absolute devastation on some of the most precious parts of our ocean.
## Jodie Kuntzsch's View
Kuntzsch believes sustainable marine practices can coexist with innovative businesses in Nelson.

> You can have a resilient sustainable marine environment and have thriving innovative high-value businesses.
## Rohan O-Neill-Stevens on Values
O-Neill-Stevens stressed standing up for values despite disagreements with colleagues.

> We have had senior ministers, we have had our deputy prime minister say horrific things, racist and sexist things, and not be called out on it at all.
## ACT Candidate's Stance
ACT candidate Chris Baillie emphasized reducing government size and addressing spending issues.

> ACT is committed to reducing the size of government, making it much more manageable.
## Key takeaway

Nelson candidates discussed rising living costs, youth migration, and sustainable fishing practices during the final debate before the election.