/u/silicon_based_life has embarked on a short campaign of door-knocking in New Plymouth on the afternoon of his visit to the town. Alongside several other TOP volunteers he made his way around the neighbourhoods of New Plymouth, speaking directly to potential voters about TOP’s newly released economic policy declaration. Afterwards, in the late evening, he filmed a livestream of himself discussing the results of the door-knocking, whilst sitting in his electric car on the side of the road outside New Plymouth. A camera is attached to the dashboard whilst he speaks into it from the drivers seat.

“Hello, wonderful Opportunities Party supporters! The team and I have just been out around New Plymouth, door-knocking and connecting with the locals. It’s been a constructive, and certainly occasionally pensive, activity for us. Of course, there is no compromising on policy in The Opportunities Party. We’ve had to take our message to the voters, and so far, it’s been positive! I can sense an undercurrent of stronger support for us here, certainly stronger than we’re currently doing in the polls. But anyway, enough of that fluff! I’ve met with the other volunteers and discussed where our strengths and weaknesses are. It was difficult with only one set of policy released, but it’ll get easier soon.

“Jenny – yes, that Jenny, the Civic branch spokesperson – spent a lot of time in the wealthier suburbs. There was a lot of concern there about our tax policy – it does affect wealthier people more, after all – but since Taranaki is a wage-earning region we managed to reassure them that wasn’t a major challenge. The more middle-class parts of these suburbs were pleased about our tax policy, and also our business monopoly and duopoly policy. People would love to see a market unburdened by such conglomerates, even if Taranaki isn’t such a seat for that kind of thing. Some people were concerned about how our social policy will look. Hopefully we’ll be rolling that out by the time I roll into Tokoroa in two days’ time. Anyway, overall Jenny spoke to 25 households – that’s impressive for such a short period of time.

“Olly Wilson and Piri-Hira Tukapua, who were shortlisted as candidates for 2017, spent their time in the more low-income neighbourhoods. There was a great reaction to our tax policy there, as one might expect. Also, the rental policy – there were actually several rental properties they visited, and all expressed worry at the stability of their tenancy. We came away confident that our Tenancy Act review policy was a good one, and I hope to potentially improve the stability of the shelter of some of these people come the future. Our two excellent campaigners made it to 21 households together, and of course, knocked on many more, uncounted – several of which turned them away with gusto, calling out “Bring back alpine-!” In my own door-knocking I also got several of the same responses. alpine- is legendary in these parts, and it’s no tall order for me to try and improve on her job. Nevertheless, I shall do my best.

“As for myself, I was a bit weaker than my fellows, and only had good chats with 15 households. However, they were extremely productive, and complemented what I learnt from the workshop before lunchtime. People here mostly want income and quality-of-life security. The Opportunities Party policy doesn’t invade on many New Plymouth local’s way of living, and indeed, enhances it in many cases.

“They were also somewhat suspicious of me as a person. I guess that comes with not having lived here for very long. To that I say, “Well, if you don’t vote for me this time, I’ll always be here next time.” Wellington has been my residence for too long and as long as The Opportunities Party is still around, I intend to also stay in the area.

“I’d best be going. It’s a long drive to Hamilton and it’s getting dark. Besides, the rest of our convoy has already set off! I just have a few Teal banners left in the boot, have a look…”

/u/silicon_based_life angles the camera so that the viewers can see into the boot. Sure enough, it’s full of TOP apparatus, boxes of paper, and rudimentary sound equipment.

“That’s our grassroots campaign right there! It’s doing so much better than we had ever hoped, I thank you all so much. But for now, this is silicon, signing off.”

The livestream ends here.