In this series of interviews in the lead up to the general election on 17 October, The Central App gives you the opportunity to learn more about your election candidates with a simple Q&A. 

The Central App sent out a questionnaire to all electorate candidates in both the Southland and Waitaki electorates, to give them the opportunity to introduce themselves to you in their own words. 

Central Otago is divided and represented by both Southland and Waitaki electorates. 

Today, The Central App put the questions to New Conservative Party Southland Candidate Fiona Meyer.

Name: Fiona Meyer

Party: New Conservative

Where do you live: Invercargill 

Electorate: Southland

Tell us why you are standing for your party:

"New Conservative stands for real democracy with our policy of binding referenda. I believe that in a democracy we need to respect and listen to all sides. We must debate issues robustly and transparently and challenge the notion that the government knows best. The voice of the people should be heard at the highest levels." 

Tell us a bit about yourself:

"Current job: Secondary school relief teacher.

"Background: I grew up in Nelson enjoying back yard cricket and days at the beach. I am married to Grant and we have four daughters and sons-in-law and ten lovely grandchildren. I have worked as a Maths teacher for twenty years in Southland. I have been involved with Southland age level girls’ cricket. I am a keen World Vision supporter, having organised student participation in the 40 Hour Famine for many years. I am actively involved in the Presbyterian faith community.

"Interests: I enjoy handcrafts, sports, singing and reading geopolitical novels."

 What are the key issues you see facing this electorate?

1.  Support the vital backbone of Southland from farming to viticulture to help lead the Southland economy out of recession. Let’s fund research and development to provide pollution solutions and not regulate them out of business.
2. The provision of well-resourced birthing centres in both Lumsden and Alexandra. Listen to the voices of local families and the expert midwives.
3. Capitalise on the region’s natural beauty and opportunities for vacation and adventure tourism with a regional plan. Investigate the viability of a tourism loop from Hollyford to Haast and other opportunities to boost the greater Southland regional tourism industry.
4. Develop some forward planning to improve our failing infrastructure and its systems after years of underspending.
5. Work constructively with local groups to see the plans for a retirement village in Alexandra come to fruition. This will meet the needs of the elderly population, their whanau and also boost our local economy.

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If elected, how do you intend to keep up to date on local issues and close to the needs of the people in your electorate?

"Maintaining an online presence would be necessary but being available for face to face discussions on a regular basis in various locations would be vital."

What do you see as the key policies of your party that will make the biggest impact for the people in your electorate?

"Support urban and rural businesses: covid-19-recovery-policy   

"Support primary industries from farming to viticulture: primary-industries-policy

• Scrap the Carbon Tax and ETS and red tape,
• Invest in research and development in our own country to solve problems,
• Oppose conversions of arable land into pine forests.

Support families:            

• Valuing life from womb to tomb  family-policy

More money in your pocket, tax-free threshold of $20,000 lower taxes policy.

What is your stance on energy security of Central Otago?

"Chronic underspending on maintenance of aging infrastructure needs to be addressed. Encourage local utilisation of power to encourage more industry and more jobs."

What are your thoughts on water quality in Central Otago? 

"Safe water quality is essential. We need to encourage methods to mitigate run off rather than imposing a central planning model."

Do you think it has any advantages/disadvantages that Central Otago is now going to be represented by two different MPs? What about if they end up being from two different parties?

"MP’s must be collegial to ensure all regional interests are represented in Wellington. Party political differences should be put aside for the benefit of the community. It should be advantageous having two voices in parliament representing Central Otago even if they are from different parties."

What skills and attributes do you have which make you believe you will be a good MP?

"I am well organised, a good listener, I am empathetic to both rural and urban constituents."

If you are standing for Southland, you have gained a whole bunch of new-to-your electorate voters, some of whom are concerned their voices will no longer be heard given they are now part of an electorate which also has Queenstown. What message do you have for them?

"I appreciate the concern of the new to the electorate voters. Take for example the Covid19 handouts given to a few larger tourism businesses in our electorate. All local businesses have been affected by the economic recession caused by the government’s prolonged lockdown approach. We saw administrators in Wellington deeming what businesses and services were and were not essential in our region. We need to come together and have an open and robust discussion with experts who have local knowledge to formulate a strategic plan for the greater good of the whole region."

Where do you stand on the Cannabis Legalisation and Control Referendum?

"I am strongly opposed. Marijuana is addictive and harmful (2016 WHO report) Studies have shown High THC levels and frequent use have direct links to mental health issues, Relaxing laws on smoking cannabis will not improve our shocking teen suicide statistics.

"This referendum vote does not affect medicinal use of cannabis. We need to improve the existing laws around medicinal use so that the health of chronic pain sufferers can be improved."

And the End of Life Choice Referendum?

"I am strongly opposed.  The EOLCA is too open for abuse and coercion of the vulnerable. New Zealand voted against capital punishment in 1961 because we did not want an innocent person dying. We need to stand up for the vulnerable in the same manner today.

"Richard McLeod, spokesperson for Lawyers for the Vulnerable, said in an interview with NewstalkZB that the law promises choice but is fatally flawed.

"We already have options to turn off life support, etc. We need to better fund palliative care and help whanau care for their terminally ill loved ones."

Anything else you’d like to add?

My email is [email protected] if you want to get in touch.

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