Whakatāne High School’s Interact Club will host a debate and question-and-answer session with candidates standing for the East Coast electorate in this year’s general election.

The event will be held in the school hall from 5.30pm to 6.30pm on October 14 and will feature current East Coast MP and National Party candidate Dana Kirkpatrick, Labour candidate Jo Luxton and ACT candidate Darrin Hawkes.

Other candidates have been invited but are unable to attend.

This is the third time the event has been organised by Interact students, with questions prepared by the club and a student subcommittee.

Subcommittee chair Harry Edwards, a year 11 student, will be the MC.

The format will include opening statements on each party’s beliefs and values, questions on specific policies, timed short-answer questions, and quick-fire yes-or-no questions.

The students have developed questions around issues they consider important to young people.

Following the student questions, audience members will have an opportunity to ask the candidates about issues that could influence their voting decisions.

The event will finish with an informal opportunity for attendees to talk with the candidates over a cup of tea.

Upcoming candidate events

■ Matatā – hosted by Matatā Residents Association

Sunday, October 11, at Matatā Rugby Club, beginning at 2pm.

■ Ōpōtiki – hosted by Grey Power Ōpōtiki

Tuesday, October 20, at the Senior Citizens Hall, King Street, at 1.30pm.

■ Whakatāne – hosted by Whakatāne Grey Power

Wednesday, October 21, at the Liberty Centre, Wairaka Road, at 10am.

■ Kawerau – hosted by Kawerau & Districts Grey Power

Thursday, October 22, Concert Chamber, Ranfurly Court, at 1pm.