The following are excerpts of discussions that /u/silicon_based_life made with voters whilst completing his TOP policy workshops in Tokoroa today.

A burly farmer sits across the table from /u/silicon_based_life.

Farmer: “I’ve got a bone to pick with you. Your tax scheme is going to affect my farm earnings, putting me further into debt.”

/u/silicon_based_life: “Thank you for bringing this up, it’s a common concern. Have a look a this…”

He slides a piece of paper with some figures on it over to the farmer.

/u/silicon_based_life: “As you can see, our tax policy is about closing the income tax loophole on passive assets. A farm, as I’m sure you’re well aware, is most certainly not a passive asset. It is an active asset and thus, the only tax you’ll be paying is on your income still. You’ll still pay tax on your income, but it’ll be a fair amount, and farms already receive certain subsidies so that’ll help counter-balance it.”

Farmer: “I see.”

/u/silicon_based_life: “The other thing I want to mention is that there will be policies announced tomorrow that may affect you. You’ll want to keep up with that so I recommend you keep an eye on our website for that. The Opportunities Party has a policy on farm run-off causing waterway pollution. What are your immediate thoughts when I say those words?”

Farmer: “Reminds me of 2017, when Jacinda wanted to tax us to hell and back on our water use. There isn’t any pollution on our farm.”

/u/silicon_based_life: “Well, we will not be going anywhere near a water tax, trust me.”

Farmer: “Except on my beer.”

/u/silicon_based_life: “Unfortunately all I can do for that is direct you to the reasons we give for the alcohol policy. If you agree, great, if you disagree, also great. If you agreed with everything we said that would probably be a disaster for democracy. But in any case, if you’re a farmer and you have a mind to reduce waterway pollution, we’ll be working with you on our policy, rather than against you.”

Farmer: “Sounds like communism, but alright.”

/u/silicon_based_life: “Haha! Rest assured you will keep full autonomy.”

A local man, appearing to be of Pacific Island descent, sits across the table from /u/silicon_based_life.

Local man: “A few questions. I like a lot of your justice policy, education policy. However, I’m concerned that your immigration policy will make it harder for the family back home to immigrate here.”

/u/silicon_based_life: “Ah yes, thank you for asking that. Our policy does say we want higher-skilled migrants, it is true. However, immigration isn’t restricted by our policy. If your family wants to come to New Zealand, they’ll get here. There are also several government programmes for Pacific Island immigrants to get to New Zealand, and if sea waters keep rising to engulf islands in the Pacific, TOP would leap to help relocated them. The Pacific area is one of crucial importance to New Zealand’s place in the world.”

Local man: “Not a very satisfactory answer, but okay. Your Universal, what, Basic Income policies seems flashy, but how will it benefit my son? He’s 17 right now.”

/u/silicon_based_life: “I’m afraid it would take nothing short of an electoral miracle for TOP to implement its youth UBI policy in time for your son to be eligible. If you support us, I promise we’ll do our damndest to get it through at the earliest opportunity. The youth UBI would allow him to stay on his feet in the turbulent post-teen years – we’ve all been through it – and keep out of the rut that so many rural kids can get into after college.”

Local man: “Are you calling my son a troublemaker? He’s top of his class! He’ll be going to Victoria University next year with a full scholarship!”

/u/silicon_based_life: “Um… mental health is the other huge burden on kids his age. One way or the other, he’ll benefit from it. Sorry about the misunderstanding.”

Local man (cracking a grin): “You’ll be right, mate.”

A local storeowner sits across the table from /u/silicon_based_life.

Storeowner: “What are your business policies going to do to my store?”

/u/silicon_based_life: “Well, assuming it’s a small store, probably not much. If you’re in a small store, you may even benefit from a reduction in income tax. Our policies have the potential to help you in other ways, such as through healthcare reform, or through justice, and so on.”

The workshop continued through the day, much like had occurred on each day of the campaign at each different town on the Whirlwind Whanganui Tour.