National absent from packed Aro Valley debate

National was absent from a packed meet-the-candidates debate in Wellington's Aro Valley on Thursday, 15 October, after its candidate withdrew at the last minute because of health issues.

The forum at the Aro Valley Community Centre was for candidates seeking to represent Te Aro and surrounding suburbs in the Wellington North electorate. The room was standing-room-only, with people standing outside in the rain to listen, according to RNZ.

Those who took part included Labour's Dr Ayesha Verrall, ACT's Matthew Hague, NZ First's Taylor Arneil, the Alliance's Josh Harford, The Opportunity Party's Jessica Hammond and Michael Appleby for the Legalise Cannabis Party. National's Jonathan Pitt did not attend.

The debate ran for more than two hours and covered housing, wages, infrastructure and healthcare. Water pistols previously used to spray candidates who went over their allotted times were not used. A sound technician used a buzzing noise instead.

Hague was repeatedly booed and drowned out by the crowd chanting "tatou tatou e" during his answer on teaching te reo in schools, according to RNZ. The interjections continued through parts of his speaking time.

Wellington North was a Labour stronghold for more than two decades before becoming a Green seat.