Dotcom Pulls the Crowd

A large crowd turned up to see Internet millionaire Kim Dotcom speak at the internet-Mana public meeting last night at the University of Waikato

The large crowd made, up of up of mostly students, filled the majority of the 394 seats in the Price Waterhouse Cooper Lecture theatre at the university.

Youth ambassador and former hip hop star King Kapisi warmed up the crowd before the party took the stage.

Veteran activist and Mana candidate John Minto told the audience that while they may only get a small number of MP’s into parliament they would fight hard.

The audience erupted with applause as Dotcom took the stage at the university as he spoke of a return to free education for tertiary students.

He told the audience of how he changed his ways from a wayward computer hacker to the family man and entrepreneur he was today.

A large group of people left the theatre after Dotcom finished his speech much to the dismay of the MC and internet party second list Chris Yong.

Hamilton East candidate Ray Calver said while he didn’t expect to win in his electorate he was more focused on getting people’s party votes.

Laila Harre took the stage encouraging non voters to get enrolled, citing that the number of non voters last election was greater than the number of people that voted National.

The Crowd cheered when Harre reminded the audience she would stand in the Helensville electorate to stare down Prime Minister John Key and to hold him to account on his own stage.

When the meeting was opened up for questions many asked about their polices on student loans and employment for future graduates.

Many also questioned the emphasis the party placed on improving the internet and I.T sector and how it would help New Zealanders.

MP Hone Harawira was not present at the event as he was at  Parliament.