With the 2026 General Election approaching, Business South in association with Elevate Central is bringing candidates from the Waitaki and Southland electorates together for an evening of open discussion.

This is your chance to hear directly from the people who could be representing our region in Parliament, on the issues that matter most to businesses across Otago and Southland: from regional infrastructure and workforce challenges to the policies shaping how we grow. Whether you run a business in Cromwell, Oamaru, Invercargill or anywhere in between, this is a rare opportunity to get candidates in the room together and ask the questions that matter to you. 

We'd encourage you to bring colleagues, staff, or anyone in your networks who has a stake in the region's future.

The event is being held at Te Puna Mahara – Cromwell Memorial Events Centre, Auditorium, 36 Melmore Terra

Confirmed candidates
Waitaki

• Miles Anderson (National)

• Sean Beamish (ACT)

• Damien O'Connor (Labour)

• Helen Tait (Opportunity)

Southland

• Bianca Beebe (Opportunity)

• Jason Herrick (NZ First)

• Peter McDonald (Labour)

• Joseph Mooney (National)

• Todd Stephenson (ACT)

Also appearing: Professor Lisa Te Morenga (Green Party) and Tākuta Ferris (Independent)
If you have any questions to the candidates, put your questions in the comments box when registering or emailed to events@business-south.org.nz