Panmure-Ōtāhuhu electorate candidates debate cost of living, housing and crime

Candidates standing in the Panmure-Ōtāhuhu electorate discussed the biggest issues facing the area in a Pacific Days talanoa.

Pacific peoples make up more than 46 per cent of the area that stretches from Ōtara to East Auckland's Tāmaki.

Representatives from ACT, Workers Now, Labour, National, Greens and Vision NZ participated in the panel discussion.

When asked how they would address the area's biggest issues, Green Party's Fa'anānā Efeso Collins honed in on housing and climate change.

"We've got to ensure that Kāinga Ora and other community housing providers are given the mandate to build and to build at scales," Fa'anānā says.

Fa'anānā says there are up to 25,000 people on the public housing waiting list, which he says is "not good enough."

"We've got to have much more urgent action in relation to climate change, we've got to acknowledge that there is climate change.

"Again putting people and planet first."

Vision NZ's Karl Mokaraka zeroed in on the communal values of Pacific peoples.

"If the family prospers then communities prosper," Mokaraka says.

"Also the housing crisis, billions of dollars have been wasted by the Labour and Greens parties," he says.

Mokaraka also says he is committed to finding pathways to home ownership in light of Pacific home ownership being at its lowest currently.

"And we'll look at funding those groups like Grace Foundation [and] Man Up and engaging with community groups who have proven track records."

ACT Party's Antonia Modkova says crushing crime is key.

"Crime is a complex issue but we have a comprehensive plan to tackle it," Modkova says.

She says ensuring dangerous offenders are away from communities and that there are consequences to deter crime are important.

"Rehabilitate to make sure that people who fall into crime have the opportunity to make an honest living when they get out," Modkova says.

"Make it compulsory to have rehabilitation before parole.

"Victims need to come first and have compensation from the Crown immediately."

James Robb of the Workers Now Party targeted the cost of living and housing.

"We need to fight for cost of living wage increases," Robb says.

He says it needs to be mandated by the government annually and that it matches the rate of inflation.

"For housing, we need a massive programme of building of state houses. And this is the key thing, the rents need to be capped at 10 per cent of the tenant's income.

"That's the way state housing always used to be."

Labour Party's Jenny Salesa says Labour will continue to address cost of living.

"Labour has increased minimum wage to $22.70 an hour," Salesa says.

She says Labour has provided free school lunches for kids, winter energy payments for seniors and that childcare is cheaper under Labour.

"We've taken $5 prescription fees off.

"Free public transport for under 13 [year olds] as well as under 25s."

National Party's Navtej Singh Randhawa seconds the focus on the cost of living.

"The cost of living is a huge issue for our electorate," Randhawa says.

He says National want to stop wasteful spending, deliver tax relief, "cut the red tape and build infrastructure."

"Build the infrastructure. Grow the skills and strengthen the connections to bring more trade and investment in."