Te Piringa Student Events Association (TPSEA) and Te Awa
Kōtui Waikato Students’ Union (WSU) will host a seven-party
pre-election debate at the University of Waikato on Monday
10 August 2026, bringing candidates face-to-face with
students ahead of the election.
The debate will
feature representatives from all seven major
parties:
• Tama Potaka (National)
• Georgie
Dansey (Labour)
• Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke (Te
Pāti Māori)
• Dr Parmjeet Parmar (ACT)
•
Qiulae Wong (TOP)
• Dr Lawrence Xu-Nan
(Green)
• Hon Casey Costello (NZ First).
The
debate will be moderated by Sacha Coburn.
Jelle
Keizer, President of Te Piringa Student Events Association
and Event Lead, says the debate is about closing the gap
between decision-makers and the students their decisions
affect.
“With youth voter enrolment so low,
getting young people to the polls is vital. When we don’t
vote, politicians stop listening — creating a vicious
cycle of disengagement. We’re hosting this debate to break
that cycle and bring politics directly to
students.”
Seamus Lohrey, President of Te Awa
Kōtui Waikato Students’ Union, says the event is designed
to give students a direct line to the people who represent
them.
“We’re pretty big believers that students
deserve more of a voice in the conversations our
decision-makers have. This debate is about bringing those
conversations directly to students and giving them the
chance to challenge, question and be heard.”
Event details:
What: The
Debate — seven-party pre-election student
debate
Date: Monday 10 August
2026
Venue: The Pā, University of
Waikato, Hamilton (fully
indoors)
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