PM engages Marlburians at Blenheim forum

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon stated his case for Government policies and plans at a National-hosted public meeting in Blenheim on Thursday.

The PM also fielded questions from a half-dozen of the 400 attendees at the lunch-hour forum at Marlborough Events Centre, with Kaikoura Electorate MP Stuart Smith and Waimakariri counterpart Matt Doocey facilitating. He then stepped off the stage to greet Marlburians for photos and conversation.

"No doubt, it's been a difficult few years for New Zealand," he told the gathering. "But what's happening in the world is something quite profound. The world is actually at an inflection point. ... We can't ultimately control all the global changes ... [but] we can have a stronger home in a wild storm."

The PM's address covered crime, education, the economy, Government's debt load and the budget. Constituents asked about the Paris Accords, hydroelectricity, genetically modified agricultural products, the Resource Management Act, immigration requirements and the length of government terms.

The audience reacted politely to the PM. The only appearance of opposition came outside the venue from a handful of pro-Palestinian protesters.

Check the next issue of Marlborough Weekly for more coverage and photos.