Candidates talk roads, youth and rates

• Published date: 29 September 2022

“Definitely Palmerston North, don’t like the Palmy, nobody asked for it, it would have cost millions.”

Asked which party he would be with if running for Parliament, Arnott replied: “I’ve actually voted three ways in my life and really vote depending on policies of the day.”

The biggest issue facing Palmerston North is the condition of roads.

Crime is an issue in the city as it is all around the country — there’s a lot of anti-social behaviour.

“We certainly need to be working with police a lot better, and community groups, but lots of this stems from home so parents: Put down those phones and teach your children.”

He has been in business for more than 20 years and says he would bring a lot of good ideas to the table.

“If you keep on doing the same thing you get the same result, so vote for change.”

Karen Naylor’s favourite book is Iron House by John Hart and her favourite music genre is jazz.

She prefers Palmy over Palmerston North and the favourite meal she cooks is creamy chicken pasta.

Asked which party she would be with if running for Parliament, Naylor replied: “None of them.”

The biggest issue facing Palmerston North is the affordability of rates and the unfundability of the council’s long-term plan.

“We do need to invest, we do want our city to be an attractive place to live, but at the moment we are doing too much and it’s not affordable for our ratepayers.”

As a nurse she has learned to care and advocate for people. Before that she worked in banking and finance so takes a strong interest in the numbers. “I constantly, when there is any decision in front of me, I think what would the community think about this.”

Rhia Taonui’s favourite music genre is opera and RnB, while the favourite meal she cooks herself is scrambled eggs. She prefers Palmerston North over Palmy.

Asked if she was running for Parliament which party she would be with, Taonui replied: “We’re talking about local government.”

The biggest issue facing Palmerston North is a failure to activate our diversity. She is conscious Palmerston North is promoted as culturally diverse — 123 languages and 159 cultures — but this isn’t reflected in council policy and strategic planning.

While Kāinga Ora is focusing on building one- and two-bedroom homes, Pasifika families and families living in intergenerational homes need bigger houses.

“We’ve also got teenagers who have decided not to go flatting as it’s just too...