In the run-up to the general election on October 14, the Central App is introducing you to 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 Airports plans to develop an international airport at Tarras; and one other issue they wished to address.

Today we hear from Tākuta Ferris, Te Pāti Māori candidate for Te Tai Tonga.

Takuta Ferris says that looking after people is a priority for Te Pāti Māori. 

“We are whānau first,” he said. “When we look at the thinking, calculating and developing solutions we start with the people who are affected the most and build from that basis. This applies to housing, renting, the cost of living, etc.

“In practical terms we believe that all whānau have a right to a warm, leak-free, secure home.

“We want to invest in more social housing and implement rent controls,” he said. 

The party wants to remove GST from kai, he said, despite there being conflicting data on how well that would reach the wallets of the public. “We want to make sure we support our whānau who need it the most,” Tākuta said.

“Healthy, thriving, and forward-driving people lift the whole community up and that is the goal. We want to leave no one behind.”

Tourism plays a role in the country but it is important to listen to the people, Tākuta said. 

“We also believe in oranga taiao, oranga tangata – a healthy environment leads to a healthy people. If there are concerns around the environmental impacts and the infrastructure to support such a development that isn’t sustainable, what does that mean to our people?

“We believe in mokopuna decisions, that we need to think about the decisions we make

today and the impact on our future tamariki. We want an Aotearoa Hou where no one is left

behind.”