# Water pistols, National absent from Aro Valley debate

> Aro Valley candidates debate features water pistols and heckling as National skips event.
- Title: Water pistols, National absent from Aro Valley debate · RNZ
- Summary: Aro Valley candidates debate features water pistols and heckling as National skips event. National party absent from Aro Valley candidates debate; water…
- Keywords: aro valley, national party, te aro, candidates debate, water pistols, welington north, politics, news, Water, pistols, National, absent
- Source: RNZ — https://rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1942137/water-pistols-national-absent-from-aro-valley-s-notorious-candidates-debate
- Author: RNZ | Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa
- Published: 2026-10-15T21:30:13+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: aro valley, national party, te aro, candidates debate, water pistols, welington north, politics, news
## 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.
## Key takeaway

National party absent from Aro Valley candidates debate; water pistols replace physical water pistols for time limits.