Mt Albert by-election debate at Splore Festival's Listening Lounge Saturday 18 February
The Mount Albert by-election contest is to go on the road, as Labour's Jacinda Ardern and the Green Party's Julie Anne
Genter meet on stage at the annual Splore Festival in Tapapakanga Park, 70 km South East of Auckland’s CBD.
Both candidates are past Splore festival attendees and only a week before the vote they'll be the headline act of the
festival's Saturday talk programme, The Listening Lounge.
Listening Lounge moderator Russell Brown says both candidates were enthusiastic when they were approached about the
joint appearance.
"They know the festival and both love it, so they didn't take any convincing," says Brown.
"It's not the first time we've aired Auckland issues and aspirations for the city as part of The Listening Lounge. Most
of the Splore audience come from Auckland and we've found that thinking about Auckland slightly removed from the place
works really well."
The pair will be interviewed jointly on stage by Russell Brown, about cooperating and competing in election year and
about their respective parties' policy offerings.
The Listening Lounge will also feature a discussion about the "circular economy" with Air New Zealand board member Linda
Jenkinson and her new business partner Ryan Everton, the provider of the reusable Globelet cups and water bottles being
used at Splore. Splore will be New Zealand’s first festival to eliminate single-serve plastic water bottles.
New Zealand Drug Foundation director Ross Bell and harm-reduction pioneer Wendy Allison will discuss drug safety and
members of Fat Freddy's Drop (and their kids) will talk about family in the context of the band whanau.
WHO: Jacinda Ardern (Labour) and Julie Anne Genter (Green Party) on stage at Splore Festival and will be available for
interviews.
Also available John Minty, Splore’s Festival Director
WHAT: A political discussion on the issues affecting Mt Albert, Auckland and New Zealand
WHERE: Splore Festival Tapapakanga Regional Park (approximately one hour SE of Auckland and 20 minutes SE of Clevedon on the
Firth of Thames coast.
WHEN: 10.30am on Saturday, 18 February 2017. Half hourly talks from 10.30am with Jacinda and Julie Ann scheduled at midday.
ends