Youth trust Puna Rangatahi and the Central Otago Youth Council organised the speed-dating-style "Meet the Candidates" to engage high school voters in the upcoming local elections.
Seven candidates plus uncontested Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan attended the event to answer the teenagers’ questions.
Central Otago Youth Council chairwoman Tabitha Hildyard (18) said the young people came up with the questions themselves and were asking about the issues that were important to them.
Puna Rangatahi manager Deb Drake said the format of the meeting was designed to engage the young people and help them get to know the candidates.
"It’s breaking down the barriers of their normal campaign speech so the young people are getting an idea of who they are as people."
