Cost of living, youth drain and marine protection dominate final Nelson debate

The final Nelson election debate focused on cost of living, the youth drain and marine protection. The youth drain refers to young people leaving the region, and the debate covered it alongside the other two issues, according to RNZ.

The debate was hosted by the Nelson Tasman Chamber of Commerce and the Blue House at the Tides Hotel in Nelson. It drew an audience of around 80 people.

National's candidate in Nelson is Blair Cameron. Labour's candidate is Rachel Boyack. Opportunity's candidate is Jodie Kuntzsch, who has spent 20 years working in the seafood and aquaculture sectors. Kuntzsch is ranked sixth on the party's list, the ranked list of candidates each party puts forward. The Green Party's candidate is Rohan O-Neill-Stevens, a former deputy mayor of Nelson.

The race has been close before. At the previous Nelson election, Cameron led by 54 votes on election night. After an official recount, Boyack won by 26 votes.