The Queenstown Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Meet the Candidates event at the Crown Pub. All 5 candidates in Southland will be there. Come join, have a beer, and and ask some good questions. I'd love to meet you :)
Event details here: https://events.queenstownchamber.org.nz/election26-meet-your-southland-candidates/
Per the Chamber's event page:
Join us for a relaxed and engaging evening at The Crown Pub & Beer Garden, where five Southland candidates will come together to share their stories, their values, and their vision for the future of our region.
Meet the Candidates
- Bianca Beebe (Opportunity Party)
- Jason Herrick (New Zealand First)
- Joseph Mooney (National)
- Peter McDonald (Labour)
- Todd Stephenson (ACT)
Hosted by Victoria Crockford, Director of Heft Communications, this event will move beyond party slogans and sound bites to help attendees better understand:
- Who each candidate is and what motivates them to enter politics
- The values and priorities of the party they represent
- The issues they believe matter most to Southland
- How they would represent our region if elected as the Southland MP
- How they would advocate for Southland's interests in Parliament, including as a List MP if not elected to the electorate
Whether you're a business owner, community leader, employee, voter, or simply interested in New Zealand's political future, this is a chance to hear directly from the people seeking your support.
Why Attend?
The decisions made in Wellington have a direct impact on our region, businesses, infrastructure, housing, workforce development, tourism, education, healthcare and economic growth.
This event offers a unique opportunity to:
- Learn about the candidates in an informal setting
- Hear a range of perspectives on the future of Southland
- Ask questions and gain insights before casting your vote
- Connect with fellow members of the business and wider community
- Make a more informed decision ahead of Election Day
Event Details
Venue: The Crown Pub & Beer Garden, Five Mile Shopping Centre, Frankton
5.30pm | Arrival & Networking
Candidates and attendees arrive. Grab a drink, order a meal, (pay your own way) and enjoy the opportunity to mingle before proceedings begin.
6.00pm | Welcome
Opening remarks from the Queenstown Business Chamber of Commerce, followed by an introduction to MC Victoria Crockford, Director of Heft Communications.
6.15pm | Setting the Scene
Victoria will outline the format for the evening and establish the ground rules for both candidates and attendees.
6.20pm | Meet the Candidates
Each candidate will have two minutes to introduce themselves, share their background, and explain why they are seeking to represent Southland.
6.30pm | Candidate Discussion & Q&A
A moderated conversation with Victoria Crockford exploring key issues affecting Southland, the priorities of each party, and how candidates would advocate for our region in Parliament.
7.45pm | Final Remarks
Each candidate will have two minutes to share their closing message with attendees.
7.55pm | Event Close
Victoria Crockford wraps up the evening and encourages attendees to make their voices heard on election day.
