Napier MP takes politics back to the streets

Napier MP Stuart Nash is resuming a programme of “street corner meetings” this weekend, starting in Maraenui, in order to get a feel for the issues that matter to his constituents.

In the lead-up to the 2014 general election Mr Nash completed 150 street corner meetings in Napier and Wairoa over a 5 month period.

“These meetings are about connecting with our diverse communities. The numbers at each meeting can vary, but I believe in providing people with the chance to meet their representative in Parliament, and this can be an informal, non-threatening way of achieving that,” says Stuart Nash.

“This is an aspect of politics I really enjoy: meeting people in their neighbourhood and discussing the issues that are important to them. Right now people are contacting my office on a huge range of issues, and with a lot of questions around amalgamation in particular. These meetings are a great opportunity to address those questions face-to-face.”

Mr Nash is aiming to hold these meetings every two weeks, working his way around the electorate, and hopes the street corner meetings will also inspire those who may otherwise choose not to vote, or engage with the political process.

“The great electoral challenge nationwide is engaging people, making them feel like politics is relevant to their lives and increasing our voter turnout. People have to feel it’s worth voting and the key to achieving that is to inspire people. I believe street corner meetings are a unique and – hopefully – fun way of being able to engage with people in a different way,” says Stuart Nash.

Mr Nash’s next round of meetings is in Maraenui this Saturday, 25th July at the following times:

Time: 11.00 AM
Location: Corner of Williams Street/ Ward Crescent

Time: 11.30 AM
Location: Corner of Hillary Crescent/Geddis Avenue

Time: 12.00 PM
Location: Corner of Riverbend Road/Bledisloe Road

Time: 12.30 PM
Location: Corner of Masefield Avenue/Wordsworth Crescent

Contact: Stuart Nash 021 444 888