Aro Valley's meet the candidates local body elections event. Photo: RNZ / Nick James
Aro Valley Community Centre in Wellington was packed to the rafters on Thursday night for its famous meet the candidates local body elections event.
The event has been known for not being a conventional meeting, with audience members in the past having had water pistols to spray candidates they did not agree with.
At this year's event the water pistols did not feature but instead, a steel bowl of water -- dubbed by some as the 'holy water' -- would be sprayed on candidates if they went over time.
Mayoral candidate Karl Tiefenbacher was the only speaker who had a bit of H₂O tossed at him for speaking too long in his introduction to the crowd.
Mayoral candidate Ray Chung did not attend the event.
It featured discussions on a range of topics which included climate change, homelessness, the living wage, sexual violence in the city and transport.
Alex Baker said on the issue of sexual harassment Wellington City Council needed to lead a cultural shift within the city, changing the design of the CBD and more support for people.
Diane Calvert said the council's role was to reduce harm alongside other parts of society and other agencies. Andrew Little cited the previous government's strategy on eliminating family and sexual violence as an incredible platform for cities to be embracing.
The Aro Valley community centre was packed to the rafters. Photo: RNZ / Nick James
On transport, Little's plan to cap the amount people could be charged on public transport was met by cheers in the crowd.
Tiefenbacher was met with boos when he spoke out against the development of the city's cycleways.
"It is fantastic you guys that feel that way don't have to vote for me, that's fine."
On the topic of the Golden Mile, Diane Calvert, Rob Goulden and Karl Tiefencbacher did not support the project, which had been controversial for some business owners.
The $116 million project would see cars banned from 7am to 7pm between Lambton Quay and Courtenay Place, along with widened footpaths and a cycle lane.
Alex Baker supported the plan, while Andrew Little did in principle but wanted its costings reviewed.
Alongside the serious issues discussed, there were some unique elements to the debate.
One of those was a song that Pennywise the Rewilding Clown sung to the crowd about replacing the city's public transport network with giant genetically engineered Tuna [freshwater eels].
Attendees told RNZ the debate was entertaining but candidates also made important points.
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