ELECTION 2026 CANDIDATE PROFILE - GARY PAYINDA, LABOUR

In this, the third of our Meet the Candidates interviews, we put a number of questions to Gary Payinda, Labour candidate, Whangarei electorate. Here is the full list of questions and Gary's response.

 QUESTIONS

  1. Do you believe you can make a greater contribution to society as a member of Parliament than you can as an emergency medical specialist? 
  1. You have been placed 49th on the Labour Party list. Are you disappointed with that ranking? Do you see the electorate campaign as one you must win in Whangārei to enter Parliament?
  1. Why should voters support you instead of one of the other candidates?
  1. What is the single biggest problem facing Whangārei today, and what would you do to address it?
  1. The NZ Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) has added 8–14% to household electricity prices, and between 14 and 20 cents per litre to the cost of regular petrol. Do you support the continuation of the ETS?
  1. Do you support giving $60 million to help keep the Golden Bay Cement plant operating? Do you see this as an appropriate use of taxpayers' money, and does it risk creating a precedent for government support of private companies?
  1. What industries do you believe offer the greatest opportunity for addressing the relatively high rate of unemployment in Northland over the next decade?
  1. Do you support the amalgamation of local councils in Northland?
  1. Do you believe ratepayers should have the final say on whether they support the amalgamation of their local councils, via a referendum? If not, why not?
  1. Do you support the retention of the private health system, or do you believe all health care should be provided by the state?
  1. You have been vocal regarding the delays surrounding the Whangārei Hospital infrastructure. The current timeline for the hospital redevelopment has the main acute services building completed by 2030. How would Labour complete the project earlier?
  1. In 2021, the then Labour Government cancelled the four-lane Whangārei–Port Marsden section of State Highway. Do you support the current Government's four-lane highway programme from Warkworth to Whangārei? 
  1. If elected, what would be your first priority project for Whangarei?

  1. If elected, how should voters judge whether you've been successful after three years?

RESPONSE

 "Thank you for the invitation, but I will decline. Regards, Gary."

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