In the run-up to the general election on October 14, the Central App is introducing you to all those running in Central Otago, whether for the Southland, Waitaki or Te Tai Tonga electorates.

We asked each candidate to comment on some issues of concern to Central Otago residents and elsewhere: housing and the cost of renting; the cost of living; the future of tourism; Christchurch International Airport’s plans to develop an international airport at Tarras; and one other issue they wished to address.

Today we hear from the Hon Rino Tirikatene, Labour Party candidate for the Māori seat of Te Tai Tonga (which he currently holds), the Minister for Courts, and Minister of State for Trade and Export Growth. 

Rino Tirikatene says the past 12 months have been tough going for many whānau, but under Grant Robertson’s steady hand and Chris Hipkins’ leadership the economy was turning a corner. 

“Inflation is down, our cost of living payment put more money in people’s back pockets, the Winter Energy payments saw thousands of families through winter, and boosts to Working for Families and superannuation are helping whānau get ahead,” he said. 

“At this election we’re proposing to build on this by taking GST off fresh fruit and veggies, making dental care free for under 30s, and increasing and extending subsidies for childcare. The cost of living can bite particularly hard in Central, where the cost of freight and food is often higher, so we see GST-removal as a particularly important policy to take the bite off that supermarket receipt.”

Regarding housing, Rino said he is proud the Labour government built more state homes than any other government since the 1950s. 

“That’s huge for whānau across the motu helping take pressure off the private rental market,” he said.

“I’m also proud of our policies unlocking development. Under the Medium Density Residential Standards we’ve made it easier for developers to build up as well as out. For whānau Māori, we’ve also allocated more than $350M for papakāinga with these developments taking place from Bluff to Christchurch and in between. The aim is to deliver more than 1,000 homes specifically for whānau.”

Tourism in Central Otago demanded a delicate balance, Rino said. 

“On the one hand, tourism creates thousands of jobs across nature, adventure, hospitality, hotels, and more. But on the other hand, ever-increasing tourism numbers place enormous pressure on infrastructure, housing, and amenities. Under Labour’s tourism strategy, we’re aiming to unlock investment in sustainable tourism funding initiatives that focus on high value products and higher spending tourists who stay longer rather than low spending tourists who quickly cycle through a destination. We’re mindful, too, of partnering with tourism operators - including Ngāi Tahu in Queenstown - to steer this work.”

He said he was closely following Christchurch International Airport’s plan to develop a new international airport at Tarras. 

“First, I’ve heard significant local opposition from people in Tarras and Cromwell,” Rino said. 

“Second, I’m mindful of the climate change implications. Third, I’d like to see a region-wide needs assessment. Can Queenstown and Dunedin handle the forecast increase in visitor numbers? And do we need millions more visitors to Central in the first place? 

“My advice as a former commercial manager for Ngāi Tahu is to be guided by local needs and wants on this issue. An international airport is an enormous 100-year investment, and it shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Rino chose Māori issues as his optional topic, and said one of the highlights of his year was the Matariki celebrations. 

“Cities and towns across the South marked the Māori new year. It was an awesome demonstration of how, as a country and people, we’re united. I’m proud, too, that these celebrations were made possible by our government’s decision to make Matariki a public holiday. This is part of our commitment to Māori and to New Zealanders. But we’re also committed to material gains putting more investment into Mana in Mahi, a jobs and training scheme for young people, more investment into housing including papakāinga, and more investment into education including Māori trades training.”