Politics at the plaza

Nearly all the candidates running in the Mt Albert by-election spoke at an AUT candidates meeting held in a rather empty Hikuwai Plaza on June 4.

Kiwi Party candidate Simonne Dyer says: “It is difficult. A lot of students just do not care about politics and maybe because it is only a by-election.”

Arguably the most well received speaker at the meeting was Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party candidate Dakta Green.

He agrees that the attendance and participation by students was not great.

“I’m happy to talk to any number of people but I felt the plaza was a bit empty,” says Green.

“We sit around like pussies.”

“In a participation democracy we should participate. I love heckling and getting heckled during meetings.”

Human Rights Party spokesman Anthony Ravlich, who spoke on behalf of the Mt Albert candidate Anthony van den Heuvel, is concerned about the timid attitudes of young students today.

“I wish they were a bit more outspoken and stroppy,” says Ravlich.

“I would like to see young people acting like young people.”

But while the majority of the students were not participating, the student body got thumbs up for organisation of the event.

United Future candidate Judy Turner thought it was extremely well organised and managed by those at AUT.

Libertarianz candidate Julian Pistorius felt that it had been the fairest of all the candidates meetings so far because every candidate was given the chance to get their message across.

“Democracy is about having an opportunity to have your say,” says Pistorius.

He was disappointed some candidates, particularly National candidate Melissa Lee and ACT candidate John Boscawen, left before question time.

“I saw that as poor form by them.”

And while Pistorius felt that was poor form at least they turned up for their allocated speaking time unlike People before Profit candidate Malcolm France, who was late.

“I was a bit unprepared,” he admitted.