Did you miss the Candidates Debate organised by the Chamber?

You can watch the whole debate in this video by clicking this link>>

National and Labour have both committed to more local health services if elected, following strong support for the Kāpiti Community Hospital Petition.

Candidates for the Otāki and Mana electorates supported the call for more local health services
at the Kāpiti Coast Chamber of Commerce’s Meet the Candidates event on Wednesday night, 23
August.

The Chamber also supports the petition calling for a 24/7 hospital as it believes the right
infrastructure and public services need to be delivered at the right time to support economic
growth. 17,000 people have signed the petition so far.

Hon Nathan Guy, National MP for Otāki, agreed Kāpiti needs more local services and said the
Capital and Coast District Health Board should do a full needs analysis to understand what is
required now and in the future.

Kris Faafoi, Labour MP for Mana, also acknowledged there needs to be more health services to
cater for Kāpiti ’s growth. He wants to have a conversation with the community before deciding
what those services are, and how they should be delivered.

Kāpiti Coast Chamber of Commerce Chair Heather Hutchings welcomes the consensus
between the major parties and is glad they are listening to the community.“Every year people make 40,000 trips from Kāpiti to Wellington hospital, taking them away from their businesses and employment. It has been an issue of concern for the community for some time. There will also be increasing demand for more responsive and flexible health services once the Expressway and Transmission Gully are fully completed” says Heather Hutchings.

The Chamber also welcomes the commitment from Hon Nathan Guy to explore a growth
strategy for Kāpiti, driven by central Government. “We need to make the most of the unprecedented opportunities our region has and believe support from central Government, working alongside the Chamber and the Kāpiti Coast District Council, will help us do that,” says Heather Hutchings.

Wednesday’s (23rd of August) Meet the Candidates event was an opportunity to inspire and inform Kāpiti ahead
of the 2017 General Election, with candidates responding to the Chamber’s policy priorities as well as answering questions from the audience. 

For more information, please contact:
Jacinda Thorn, Public Relations | 027 3970616 | [email protected]
Heather Hutchings, Chamber Chair | 021 0696 143 | [email protected]