What a Turnout! Meet the Candidates Event Brings Democracy to Life in Whangārei 🎤✨
- Te Huinga
- Aug 24, 2025
- 1 min read
Wow, what an afternoon! Yesterday, both Mayoral and Councillor candidates from across Whangārei District Council and Northland Regional Council came together for our Meet the Candidates event at Hihiaua Cultural Centre—and whānau, it was packed! 🙌🏽
We had 17 candidates registered (plus a few walk-ins!), so the agenda was jam-packed and the energy was high. Each candidate had 2 minutes to introduce themselves before jumping straight into the hot seat. The pātai were on point, covering:
✨ Māori decision-making in council
✨ Tackling homelessness
✨ The role of mātauranga Māori in local governance
✨ Climate resilience
Our whānau from the floor took it up another notch, asking about tourism, rangatahi, education pathways, tangata moana supports, and of course—who supports Māori wards. 👏🏽
Big mihi to the candidates who rose to the challenge, to everyone who showed up with sharp pātai, and to our community for bringing the energy. This is what democracy on our whenua looks like: bold, collective, and unapologetically us.
Whānau, keep doing your homework—go to more events, follow your candidates, and ask the hard questions. Let’s make sure the next governance bodies are ones we can be excited for and proud of.
Massive aroha to our kaimahi who pulled this all together—you’re the real MVPs! ❤️
We've got more kaupapa coming, whānau, so stay tuned!
