Mt Albert By-election Survey: John Boscawen (ACT)

The seventh response to our candidate survey for the Mt Albert by-election is from John Boscawen, who is standing for ACT and is currently a List MP.

Candidate: John Boscawen
Party: ACT

Q: What particular issues do you believe women in Mt Albert face?
A: I think the biggest challenge the people of Mt. Albert face, of all genders, and indeed all New Zealanders, is our falling living standards. New Zealand's relative living standards have been falling for some time, and despite a promise from Labour to address this issue, things only got worse. We need to adopt policies that will raise our after tax incomes and hence living standards. Another key issue is that our streets and communities need to be safer. I have have spoken to many who are very concerned about the general breakdown of society and lawlessness. We need to address the underlying causes of crime, but in the interim, we need to protect our communities from repeat violent offenders. ACT's 3 strikes law would do this, yet Labour and the Greens disagree, while I hav eyet to hear what National's candidate thinks.

Q: How do you think women's representation could be preserved and/or enhanced if the proposed Auckland Super City proceeds?
A: We alread have a number of women councillors and community board members, and there is no reason to believe that women will have any difficulty in standing for Auckland Council or Local Board positions. Any organisation proposing to run a slate of candidates, particularly with regard to the 8 councillors elected at large, would I imagine, look to offer a mixture of genders and ethnicities.

Multi-choice questions (candidate's answer is in bold):
Should the Ministry of Women's Affairs be:
Abolished OR Decreased OR Continued at the current level OR Increased (no option chosen)
Candidate comment: I would want to better understand what it does before commenting.

In considering allegations of rape the law should:
Require the defendant to prove sex was consensual OR require the victim to disprove sex was consensual (status quo)

Should access to abortion be:
Abolished OR Restricted OR Continued as currently provided OR Increased to on demand

Should paid parental leave be:
Abolished OR Decreased OR Continued at the current level OR Increased

In the forthcoming Child Discipline referendum New Zealanders should:
Vote Yes OR Vote No or Abstain
Candidate comment: Because I beleive parents should be able to correct their children's behaviour. I have a private members bill promoting a change.

Pay Equity measures by Government are:
Necessary OR Unnecessary (no option chosen)
Candidate comment: But shouldn't ..because people should be paid on their merits... Regardless.

Social change advertising campaigns, such as It's Not Ok, should be:
Abolished OR Decreased OR Continued at the current level OR Increased

Mt Albert By-election Survey: Anthony ven den Heuval (Human Rights Party)

The sixth response to our candidate survey for the Mt Albert by-election has been completed by Anthony Ravlich, educator from the Human Rights Party, on behalf of that party's candidate for the by-election.

Candidate: Anthony ven den Heuvel
Party: Human Rights Party

Q: What particular issues do you believe women in Mt Albert face?
A: I would imagine the same in the rest of the country, namely, they are going to be made to bear much of the guilt for child abuse and many thousands of children going to school hungry.

Q: How do you think women's representation could be preserved and/or enhanced if the proposed Auckland Super City proceeds?
A: By picking women with considerable life experience and a social conscience not those who are are carried from 'cradle to grave' on merely the social status conferred on them by birth - the latter rarely have any understanding of real hardship - their degrees at university pale considerably to those who have reached a high level in the university of life. In other words talent, merit, experience and the good of all people i.e. universal interests, which are the positive forces of life which will take society forward to greater justice - those with particular or political interests, and only concerned with social status are the negative forces of the universe and largely only concerned with putting others down. Read my book, Freedom from our social prisons, released about eight months ago by a major publisher, Lexington Books, supported by a number of the world's top intellectuals such as Noam Chomsky but, of course, in a New Zealand where universal trtuh now means nothing only group self-interested truths matter it is being suppressed by the liberal media and politicians and NGOs but the plan is so simple that within a relatively short amount of time people will have to face the truth.

Multi-choice questions (candidate's answer is in bold):
Should the Ministry of Women's Affairs be:
Abolished OR Decreased OR Continued at the current level OR Increased (no option chosen)
Candidate comment: Affirmative action should now only apply to the most disadvantaged women.

In considering allegations of rape the law should:
Require the defendant to prove sex was consensual OR require the victim to disprove sex was consensual (status quo)(no option chosen)
Candidate comment:I have much limitations when it comes to largely women's concerns however I am able to make some contribution but I am no authority on this subject. Also women, as with men, have to be sincere in seeking the truth if such problems are to be resolved and do not consider that this point has been reached.

Should access to abortion be:
Abolished OR Restricted OR Continued as currently provided OR Increased to on demand (no option chosen)
Candidate comment: See my answer to 5 [the previous question]

Should paid parental leave be:
Abolished OR Decreased OR Continued at the current level OR Increased (no option chosen)
Candidate comment: See my answer to 5.

In the forthcoming Child Discipline referendum New Zealanders should:
Vote Yes OR Vote No or Abstain (no option chosen)
Candidate comment: As with the Green Party concern with food safety and ignoring child hunger so smacking criminalizes highly stressed but good women rather than addressing child abuse by extending the working package for families to include beneficiaries - but this is part of the absurdity that New Zealand has reached - again refer to 5.

Pay Equity measures by Government are:
Necessary OR Unnecessary (no option chosen)
Candidate comment: Of far less importance to the human rights violations suffered by women on the DPB.

Social change advertising campaigns, such as It's Not Ok, should be:
Abolished OR Decreased OR Continued at the current level OR Increased (no option chosen)
Candidate comment: Again I reer to 5 above - New Zealand is based now largely on half-truths unless the full truth is permitted - for instance, a women's feminist group would simply refuse to listen to my truth in today's society no matter what support I have in the international human rights community - they must a reach a point where they care enough to face the truth for all and rise above self-interest.

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One more to go up today, from John Boscawen of Act, which will mean we have responses from all the major parties, except National.

Mt Albert By-election Survey: Rusty Kane (People's Choice)

The fifth response to our candidate survey for the Mt Albert by-election is from Rusty Kane, who is standing for a party called People's Choice.

Candidate: Rusty Kane
Party: The People's Choice Party

Q: What particular issues do you believe women in Mt Albert face?
A: The state of the economy.

Q: How do you think women's representation could be preserved and/or enhanced if the proposed Auckland Super City proceeds?
A: It want.. but it could.. through consultation with local community groups and with community representation.

Multi-choice questions (candidate's answer is in bold):
Should the Ministry of Women's Affairs be:
Abolished OR Decreased OR Continued at the current level OR Increased
Candidate comment: All Government Ministrial Depts should be reviewed and decrease their administration levels but not core services or continue at their present levels. But their needs to be cuts in all Government bureaucracy.

In considering allegations of rape the law should:
Require the defendant to prove sex was consensual OR require the victim to disprove sex was consensual (status quo)
Candidate comment:Because the victim is already the victim, And should not have to be vitamised twice.

Should access to abortion be:
Abolished OR Restricted OR Continued as currently provided OR Increased to on demand
Candidate comment: Which is really abortion on demand.

Should paid parental leave be:
Abolished OR Decreased OR Continued at the current level OR Increased
Candidate comment: Because its a balance between to much and to little.

In the forthcoming Child Discipline referendum New Zealanders should:
Vote Yes OR Vote No or Abstain
Candidate comment: Its a referendum a majority choice.

Pay Equity measures by Government are:
Necessary OR Unnecessary
Candidate comment: But shouldn't ..because people should be paid on their merits... Regardless.

Social change advertising campaigns, such as It's Not Ok, should be:
Abolished OR Decreased OR Continued at the current level OR Increased
Candidate comment: Anymore and it looses its effect. (Message).

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Two more to come up later today I hope, including one from John Boscawen. No response as yet from Melissa Lee...

Mt Albert By-Election Survey: Julian Pistorius (Libertarianz)

The fourth response to our candidate survey for the Mt Albert by-election is from the Libertarianz candidate for the seat, Julian Pistorius.

Candidate: Julian Pistorius
Party: Libertarianz

Q: What particular issues do you believe women in Mt Albert face?
A: Law and Order: Mt Albert is becoming more dangerous. I've heard some real horror stories while speaking to residents and shop owners. The only legitimate purpose of government is to protect the rights of citizens, and they're failing at it. We need more police, and a better justice system. Self-defence is a right, hence everybody (especially women) should be able to carry an effective means of self-defence - including tasers, pepper spray, and concealed firearms.

Q: How do you think women's representation could be preserved and/or enhanced if the proposed Auckland Super City proceeds?
A: Women don't need special representation, and shouldn't have special privileges. People are individuals, and should not be judged based on their race, gender or sexual orientation, but on their individual ability and merit.

Multi-choice questions (candidate's answer is in bold):
Should the Ministry of Women's Affairs be:
Abolished OR Decreased OR Continued at the current level OR Increased
Candidate comment: There is no valid reason for its existence. At one stage we had all the top public jobs filled by women, as well as having a women being at the head of New Zealand's biggest company, Telecom. Women and men already have equal rights before the law, as they should. Nothing more is required.

In considering allegations of rape the law should:
Require the defendant to prove sex was consensual OR require the victim to disprove sex was consensual (status quo)
Candidate comment: From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burden_of_proof#Criminal_law - In the West, criminal cases usually place the burden of proof on the prosecutor (expressed in the Latin brocard ei incumbit probatio qui dicit, non que negat, "the burden of proof rests on who asserts, not on who denies"). This principle is known as the presumption of innocence, and is summed up with "innocent until proven guilty," but is not upheld in all legal systems or jurisdictions. Where it is upheld, the accused will be found not guilty if this burden of proof is not sufficiently shown by the prosecution.

Should access to abortion be:
Abolished OR Restricted OR Continued as currently provided OR Increased to on demand (no option chosen)
Candidate comment: None of the above. It's your body, so abortion is a right. You should be able to pay for an abortion as a private procedure from a doctor who is willing to perform it. However, abortion should not be paid for by the state. People who object to abortion should not be forced to pay for it through their taxes.

Should paid parental leave be:
Abolished OR Decreased OR Continued at the current level OR Increased
Candidate comment: Leave arrangements should be a voluntary agreement between employer and employee. It has nothing to do with the state.

In the forthcoming Child Discipline referendum New Zealanders should:
Vote Yes OR Vote No or Abstain
Candidate comment: There are enough laws to protect children from assault - there always have been. It is wrong to turn good parents into criminals for administering light smacking, and it will do nothing to stop real child abuse. Instead we should end the DPB: Stop paying people to have children they don't want!

Pay Equity measures by Government are:
Necessary OR Unnecessary
Candidate comment: Remuneration should be a voluntary agreement between employer and employee. It has nothing to do with the government.

Social change advertising campaigns, such as It's Not Ok, should be:
Abolished OR Decreased OR Continued at the current level OR Increased
Candidate comment: It's meddling and social engineering. The government takes citizens' hard-earned money through taxes, and then uses it to lecture them. With freedom comes self-responsibility, and the requirement to bear the consequences of your actions. It's not the government's job to protect an individual from his own bad choices.

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Thanks Julian for taking the time; having been a small party candidate myself I appreciate the effort even if I don't agree with many of the sentiments!

Mt Albert By-Election Survey: Russel Norman (Greens)

The third response to our candidate survey for the Mt Albert by-election is from Green co-leader and MP, Russel Norman.

Candidate: Russel Norman
Party: Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand

Q: What particular issues do you believe women in Mt Albert face?
A: Mt Albert is a particularly diverse electorate, and so the issues facing Mt Albert women are also diverse. However, a few things stand out. Mt Albert residents are faced with horrendous traffic problems, being dissected by both a motorway and major arterial routes. These impacts are compounded for women who are often the primary childcarers. Mt Albert women who walk with their children rather than driving have to negotiate busy roads and intersections, and in places, poor pedestrian facilities. This is both unpleasant and unsafe, and is one of the reasons we are advocating major investment in public transport and pedestrian and cycling facilities, rather than a new motorway in Waterview. Mt Albert has a high migrant population, and there are real issues facing migrant woman in particular. Resettlement and integration into the community can be particularly tough on women, who may be isolated at home with children. The Green Party wants more resources put into settlement programmes for new migrants, including better provision of English language classes. Apart from these specific challenges, women in Mt Albert will also be facing the same issues as many other New Zealand women as they juggle work, family commitments, and community involvement. The Greens want to see the Flexible Working Hours Act extended to all workers. Women are also more likely to be over-represented in low income professions, and the Greens will continue to strive for pay equity for women in all sectors.

Q: How do you think women's representation could be preserved and/or enhanced if the proposed Auckland Super City proceeds?
A: The Greens are not necessarily opposed to the idea of one council for Auckland, as we see benefit in one council overseeing environmental and transport policy, as well as one district plan, one rates system and one rates bill. However, we are deeply concerned about the way in which this major reorganisation of Auckland’s governance has been imposed on Aucklanders with little or no consultation. There must be formal consultation with Aucklanders, as stipulated by the Local Government Act 2002, prior to any legislation on Auckland governance being agreed to. It is a fundamental right of democracy that any change to a system of governance should be agreed by the majority of those governed. We recognise that there are significant barriers to political participation for women as it is, but we feel that the proposed Super City structure will further exacerbate the concentration of power in rich, white men. Therefore, the Greens want to see the Mayor, City Councillors and Local Councillors elected by proportional representation (STV) in multi-councillor wards and multi-member Community Councils to ensure proportional and democratic representation, and better representation of women, ethnic groups and minorities. The number of Councillors should be increased for fairer representation, and there should be a minimum of three Maori seats on the Auckland Council. Secondly, we recognise that women and children in particular benefit from being represented by local councils who are actively engaged with and knowledgeable about their community, and who can provide relevant programmes and funding to achieve positive social outcomes. To this end we will advocate for more powers for Community Councils, and less for the Super Council. We will do everything we can in the Select Committee process to ensure Mt Albert women, men and children get fair consultation and stronger community representation.

Multi-choice questions (candidate's answer is in bold):
Should the Ministry of Women's Affairs be:
Abolished OR Decreased OR Continued at the current level OR Increased
Candidate comment: This is needed more than ever, after the Government axed the Pay and Employment Equity Unit. The Green Party is completely dedicated to pay equity.

In considering allegations of rape the law should:
Require the defendant to prove sex was consensual OR require the victim to disprove sex was consensual (status quo) (no option chosen)
Candidate comment: I don’t think either of those options really represents my view. Clearly the status quo is very problematic. I’m also concerned that by completely reversing the burden of proof we could create new problems. I don’t think I have the answers on this issue and I am very open to listening to the views of those who have more expertise than I do. In relation to sexual violence the Green Party believes: 1. The research currently being undertaken into the causes of the low reporting of and conviction rates for rape and sexual assault is a priority and the outcomes must be acted on as a matter of urgency. 2. Support services for victims are doing a wonderful job but are still under-resourced and lacking the ability to advocate freely. We need to review funding structures in this area to remove barriers and assist the organisations to provide a strong voice for victims and the required social change. 3. In terms of reducing the incidence of rape and sexual assaults we need to ensure that education work is based on current research, primary prevention focussed, regularly reviewed and monitored, and provided widely. 4. We also need to challenge myths and stereotypes that create/reinforce a rape culture - the most recent ALAC advertisements being an example of State-sponsored victim blaming.

Should access to abortion be:
Abolished OR Restricted OR Continued as currently provided OR Increased to on demand
Candidate comment: I’m pro-choice, and it’s got to be a real choice, not one forced because of either hardship on the one hand, or lack of access abortion services on the other. I hope that the option I’ve highlighted is the one which best reflects this view. The Green Party believes we need to improve access to family planning and sexual health services and education to all women in New Zealand, especially young women, Maori and Pacific women and rural women. Every woman has a right to the information, education and resources to make the best possible decision about if and when to have a family. We also believe that mothers and fathers need adequate resources and support to raise their children. We believe that no one should feel forced to seek an abortion for fear that they cannot afford to feed, clothe, house and look after a child. We need to increase incomes and benefits and make sure safe and affordable housing is there for all those who need it.

Should paid parental leave be:
Abolished OR Decreased OR Continued at the current level OR Increased

In the forthcoming Child Discipline referendum New Zealanders should:
Vote Yes OR Vote No or Abstain

Pay Equity measures by Government are:
Necessary OR Unnecessary

Social change advertising campaigns, such as It's Not Ok, should be:
Abolished OR Decreased OR Continued at the current level OR Increased


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Great to see candidates making time in the busy last week to respond to our survey. There'll be another one up later today too!

Mt Albert By-election Survey: David Shearer (Labour)

The second response to our candidate survey for the Mt Albert by-election is from Labour's candidate for the seat, David Shearer. We have several more yet to come, sorry I have dropped the ball on this folks; I simply haven't had much blog time in the last three weeks.

Candidate: David Shearer
Party: NZ Labour Party

Q: What particular issues do you believe women in Mt Albert face?
A: Women come from many different groups – with different issues: For many professional women the gender pay gap is a constant problem which the National Government has made worse by backtracking on all of the previous Labour Government’s initiatives to fix – such as canning the Pay & Employment Equity Unit that was undertaking reviews in the public service. Not a good omen six-months into this new administration. One issue I keep encountering on the campaign trail from stay-at-home mums is the effect of rising household costs on families. This results in some women having to make choices for their family not on what they need but on what they can afford. What’s more, in a downturn women are more likely to have to take up multiple jobs which can decrease the amount of time they would otherwise choose to spend with their families. Rising unemployment will also impact on the choices women can afford or not afford to make. Mt Albert is also a very ethnically diverse electorate. 15.4% of residents are Pacific peoples, 24.1% are Asian, 2.3% are from Middle Eastern/Latin American/African backgrounds. The women from these communities often face unique cultural challenges. I note this blog has outlined current problems with dowry abuse and share that issue of concern. Other issues such as employment rights, family violence and isolation are also factors for women in the electorate. I am really proud that it was a Labour government that introduced a Domestic Violence policy for non-residents within the NZ Immigration Programme. I think it is time to update that policy now that it has been in place for a few years and I will be advocating for that.

Q: How do you think women's representation could be preserved and/or enhanced if the proposed Auckland Super City proceeds?
A: I think that is going to be a major challenge if the government's proposals are implemented. The centre-left has always stood strong women candidates on their tickets. So, the most important thing we can do is get organised around a progressive ticket with an inclusive vision for Auckland. Having a ward system, which I favour, however ensures people are elected locally and means more women are likely to be elected to the Auckland Council. We need to scrap the ‘at-large’ councillors who, because they would need to be elected from across the city, are more likely to be the wealthy or well known. Let’s be realistic – the cost of simply putting a leaflet out to all voters across the city will be prohibitive for most people who want to represent their community. Labour is also pushing for adequate consultation (not the ramming through of Rodney Hide’s changes) and a referendum so Aucklanders can have a say.

Multi-choice questions (candidate's answer is in bold):
Should the Ministry of Women's Affairs be:
Abolished OR Decreased OR Continued at the current level OR Increased
Candidate comment: The Ministry of Woman’s Affairs provides an important source of advice and analysis for all levels of government. It is the only section of government that ensures gender analysis is taken into account when considering policy or the impact of legislation. The Ministry of Woman’s Affairs is currently undertaking important work on domestic violence and sexual violence which I hope will inform policy development in the future. We are still somewhere off the goal of having 50% female representation by 2010 on all public sector boards but have done well increasing the percentage in recently years – however there is some way to go in the private sectors.

In considering allegations of rape the law should:
Require the defendant to prove sex was consensual OR require the victim to disprove sex was consensual (status quo) (no option chosen)
Candidate comment: I believe this issue should be looked at by a select committee so am not comfortable offering an opinion at this stage. However I think there is a huge issue with the ability of women to bring rape cases to the court – as evidenced by the very low conviction rate. I would note that the last Labour Government removed the automatic right of defendants to cross examine the plaintiff, which was a positive step forward. As I have previously said, the Ministry of Women’s Affairs is doing some good work looking at sexual violence issues and I hope this work will inform any policy development.

Should access to abortion be:
Abolished OR Restricted OR Continued as currently provided OR Increased to on demand (no option chosen)
Candidate comment: I don’t believe your suggested answers are adequate. I personally believe the law should be amended because I believe a women’s decision should be between her and her doctor (on-demand is not how many people talk about abortions – no one demands an abortion). We should focus on making the procedure safe, legal and rare.

Should paid parental leave be:
Abolished OR Decreased OR Continued at the current level OR Increased
Candidate comment: Increased. Labour believes in increasing this entitlement as resources allow.

In the forthcoming Child Discipline referendum New Zealanders should:
Vote Yes OR Vote No or Abstain (no option chosen)
Candidate comment: Labour doesn’t believe in telling people how to vote in this referendum. We think the policy is currently working well. I do think the referendum question has been asked in a misleading manner.

Pay Equity measures by Government are:
Necessary OR Unnecessary
Candidate comment: Necessary. As I said before it was disappointing to see National scrap the Pay & Employment Equity Unit.

Social change advertising campaigns, such as It's Not Ok, should be:
Abolished OR Decreased OR Continued at the current level OR Increased
Candidate comment: Continued – depends on the efficacy of the campaign. It’s not OK has been fantastic at raising awareness of family violence and is a model for how these campaigns can work, reporting has increased

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It's heartening to get a response from the current fore-runner for the seat. No response from Melissa Lee yet, but we do have one from Russel Norman which I'll put up tomorrow. Act's John Boscawen has promised one as have a few others, and I'm hoping to follow them up tonight.

Mt Albert By-election Survey: Judy Turner (United Future)

The first response to our candidate survey for the Mt Albert by-election has come in and it's from former United Future MP Judy Turner. We have a further three responses waiting in the wings and two other candidates have emailed to say they will fill out the survey soon.

Candidate: Judy Turner
Party: United Future

Q: What particular issues do you believe women in Mt Albert face?
A: A large percentage of woman in this electorate are immigrants facing all the challenges that resettlement involves. Better resourcing of migrant services to better assist families is a blaring need. Immigration policy should be under-girded by a clearly articulated population strategy that considers both our needs as a country and the needs of immigrants to integrate comfortably. Family pressures are of real concern for many woman in Mount Albert. There are many experiencing real hardship and the electorate has beneficiary numbers that are higher than the national average.

Q: How do you think women's representation could be preserved and/or enhanced if the proposed Auckland Super City proceeds?
A: The input and ongoing voice of women at every level of government is vital and of particular interest to United Future is the role of community boards under the new structure. Local grassroots elected representation must be given real teeth to ensure that the distinctive needs and strengths of each neighbourhood and suburb are addressed and protected. Woman must be proactive participants in this.

Multi-choice questions (candidate's answer is in bold):
Should the Ministry of Women's Affairs be:
Abolished OR Decreased OR Continued at the current level OR Increased
Candidate comment: the ongoing work programme is relevant. United Future also believes that there should also be resourcing for mens issues but not at the expense of the work of the existing Ministry

In considering allegations of rape the law should:
Require the defendant to prove sex was consensual OR require the victim to disprove sex was consensual (status quo)
Candidate comment: Actually both should be required to give evidence in this regard

Should access to abortion be:
Abolished OR Restricted OR Continued as currently provided OR Increased to on demand
Candidate comment: restricted to the correct interpretation of the current law

Should paid parental leave be:
Abolished OR Decreased OR Continued at the current level OR Increased
Candidate comment: I agree with the recommendations of the Families Commission

In the forthcoming Child Discipline referendum New Zealanders should:
Vote Yes OR Vote No or Abstain (no option chosen)
Candidate comment: Unclear what the exact wording on the referendum is

Pay Equity measures by Government are:
Necessary OR Unnecessary

Social change advertising campaigns, such as It's Not Ok, should be:
Abolished OR Decreased OR Continued at the current level OR Increased
Candidate comment: very effective as demonstrated by the increased numbers of self-referrals to anger management courses

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Thanks Judy for your quick response, and if you are reading this please feel free to take part in the comment thread conversations.

(Also if there is someone out there who filled in the survey as an independent but didn't put their name in, please get in touch. Not you Mr Salient Editor, your's is clearly marked).

The Hand Mirror's Mt Albert by-election survey launched!

Readers of some vintage may recall that we ran a candidate survey prior to the 2008 General Election which elicited almost 50 responses, including replies from all the political parties then in Parliament (either from individual candidates, or the party as a whole, or both), including a number of sitting MPs. Both Labour and National, amongst others, sent official party responses. You can see a full index of the responses, and a link to the questions we asked, here.

Due to the success of that survey, and its popularity amongst our readership, we have decided to do a survey for the by-election, using web-based survey tool Survey Monkey this time to make it easier for everyone.

The questions are as follows:
Write-in answers:

• What particular issues do you believe women in Mt Albert face?
• How do you think women's representation could be preserved and/or enhanced if the proposed Auckland Super City proceeds?

Multiple choice answers, with an option to comment as well:

• Should the Ministry of Women's Affairs be: Abolished OR Decreased OR Continued at the current level OR Increased
• In considering allegations of rape the law should: Require the defendant to prove sex was consensual OR require the victim to disprove sex was consensual (status quo)
• Should access to abortion be: Abolished OR Restricted OR Continued as currently provided OR Increased to on demand
• Should paid parental leave be: Abolished OR Decreased OR Continued at the current level OR Increased
• In the forthcoming Child Discipline referendum New Zealanders should: Vote Yes OR Vote No or Abstain
• Pay Equity measures by Government are: Necessary OR Unnecessary
• Social change advertising campaigns, such as It's Not Ok, should be: Abolished OR Decreased OR Continued at the current level OR Increased

The email to candidates inviting them to take part has gone out today to the following candidates (or at least the email of someone within their organisation):

• John Boscawen/Act
• David Shearer/Labour
• Melissa Lee/National
• Dakta Green/ALCP
• Russel Norman/Green
• Judy Turner/United Future
  
• Simonne Dyer/Kiwi Party
  
• Julian Pistorius/Libertarianz
  
• Jackson James Wood/Independent

If more hats are thrown in the ring do kindly let us know and they too shall receive an email about the survey. Update: in fact here are the extra names according to Scoop, hat tipped in the direction of Mr Idiot Savant/Independent Lefty Liberal.

• Jim Bagnall/Union of Fathers
  
• Ari Baker/Independent
• Ben Boyce/The Bill and Ben Party
• Malcolm France/People Before Profit
• Rusty Kane/The Peoples Choice Party
• Anthony Joseph James Van Den Heuvel/Human Rights Party

We'll put the responses up as they come in and as our workload allows. Cut-off date is Wednesday 10th June 12noon Friday 12th June*, with the by-election voting on Saturday 13th June.


* Because I've had so little blog time since we launched it that I was slack about following up etc.