Waimakariri election candidates tackle crime, healthcare and the cost of living
By David Hill, Local Democracy Reporter
Waimakariri election candidates sparred over the issues of crime, healthcare and the economy during a meeting at Pegasus.
Matt Doocey (National), Dan Rosewarne (Labour) and Gordon Malcolm (Democracy NZ) were quizzed by the local residents' association in front of a crowd of 80 at Pegasus Bay School on Wednesday evening.
Doocey said National planned to amend the Sentencing Act to ensure offenders served their time in prison.
"Too often people commit crimes and go through the courts, but they can get a number of discounts and then end up going into home detention.
"Judges will only be able to discount up to 40% of sentences."
Malcolm said police were under "huge pressure" and needed more resourcing so they could be more visible on the frontline.
Meanwhile, Rosewarne presented police data showing robberies had reduced in the Waimakariri district, reflecting national trends.
"I have regular meetings with the local police district commander and he said police were getting tired of opposition parties using law and order.
"They are worried about the hysteria it is creating. Crime is not out of control."
Labour has promised to recruit 300 more police to reduce the pressure, while also providing more mental health resourcing.
On the health front, Doocey said the Waimakariri district needed after hours healthcare to support the growing population.
"The PHOs (primary health organisation) requirement for after hours care is compliant if you live within a 40-minute drive.
"But that doesn’t take into account housing density, so we have advocated for high growth areas like Rangiora and Kaiapoi."
There was a shortage of GPs, but National is proposing to open a third medical school targeted at recruiting GPS for rural and provincial areas.
Malcolm said faster training pathways were needed for nurses and medical school quotas for GPs needed to be increased.
Rosewarne said there was a global shortage of nurses.
"The opposition parties seem to forget we have just had a global pandemic where 100,000 medical professionals around the world died during Covid," he said.
"The United Kingdom, Europe and the United States are all screaming out for nurses, but the world is playing catch up due to Covid."
Labour is investing in health infrastructure, has abolished prescription charges and is promising free dental care for under 30s, he said.
The cost of living also came up in the meeting.
Doocey said the government needed to get on top of inflation and interest rates with "prudent financial discipline".
Debt had risen from $5 billion to $100b over the last six years and was now 43% of GDP, he said.
However, Rosewarne said the latest credit rating from Standard & Poors showed New Zealand was in a strong economic position with "a modest level of debt" compared to other countries.
Inflation was coming down, wages were rising and more New Zealanders were in employment than ever before, he said.
■ Public interest journalism funded through New Zealand on Air.
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Tracy Watkins has weighed in ... now it’s your turn. What’s your take? 🤔
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72.7% We work hard, we deserve a break!
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11.1% Yes!
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Secure your homes over summer
Police are reminding people to keep their homes secure during the summer months.
Inspector Glenda Barnaby, Christchurch Area Prevention manager, says daytime burglaries are just as common as nightime burglaries.
“Burglaries can be committed at any time of the day, and coming into warmer months there is more opportunity for thieves."
"Although a majority of burglaries involve forced entry through windows and doors, we are starting to see more incidents at insecure premises. Police deal with cases where burglaries are committed in broad daylight, sometimes even while the victim is at home. Good weather means open doors and windows, which makes homes more vulnerable to burglars.”
Inspector Barnaby says there’s a few things people can do to reduce their changes of a burglary being committed.
⚠️ If you’re going outside for gardening, relaxing in the sun, or working in the garage, take a moment to lock your doors and secure your windows first.
⚠️ Do the same at night when you go to bed - keep your doors and windows secure and close your curtains. Fitting window stays means you can get a breeze coming through, while keeping your windows secure.
⚠️ Get to know your neighbours - let them know if you’re going away and look out for one another.”
If you see any suspicious activity, people or vehicles in your neighbourhood, don't hesitate to contact Police.
If you witness or suspect any illegal activity, please call 111 if it is happening now, or make a report through 105 either online or over the phone, if it is after the fact.
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