Political tensions among Bay of Plenty candidates are flaring after heated discussions on raced-based politics at a meet-the-candidates event at Bay of Plenty Polytechnic.

BOP Conservative Party candidate Deborah Cunliffe was labelled 'Queen Victoria reincarnated” by a political competitor at the polytechnic's Windermere campus yesterday, where 18 political candidates went toe-to-toe on public issues.

Political candidates lined up to speak to students at yesterday's Bay of Plenty Polytechnic debate.

The debate, in front of about 50 students, comes one month out from the September 20 general election.

After a two minute speech from each candidate, audience questions prompted heated discussions on race-based policies, including one question asking how the negation of race-based law will increase the already wide gap in equality between Maori and other New Zealanders.

This election ACT and the Conservative Party are both pushing policies to rid Parliament of its Maori seats.

NZ First believes the future of the Maori seats should be put to a referendum, with party leader Winston Peters already ruling out working with any "race-based" party.

At the debate NZ First Tauranga candidate Clayton Mitchell says the party is standing for equality and creating a country where everyone gets along with one law for all.

'If we are going to single out one race because of their birth right or colour of their skin then why not single out another race of people and give them preferential treatment?”

Waiariki Labour candidate Rawiri Waititi says the only way Maori are going to move on is if the country acknowledges the 'injustices” of the past.

'When Maori aren't 50 per cent of the prison population, when Maori unemployment isn't skyrocketing and when Maori youth unemployment isn't at an all-time high of 25 per cent, that's when we can say there is inequality.”

Conservative Party candidate Deborah challenged Rawiri's sentiments, saying the fact that there is no current shift in any of his examples shows change is needed.

'The Conservative Party acknowledges, recognises and accepts the Maori opportunity.

'We have no problem of that but the Treaty of Waitangi gives us all equal right. The Maori conceded sovereignty to the Queen.”

Facing a chorus of heckles and outcry from audience members, Deborah replied saying many people don't accept the Maori version of the treaty.

Rawiri replied: 'It's you that don't accept the Maori version”.

'It's Queen Victoria reincarnated.”

ACT Party Tauranga candidate Stuart Pedersen says the party and its aspirations are misunderstood and the only difference in Maori inequality is in legal privilege.

'If it is a partnership [the Treaty of Waitangi] the best part is that all partners are treated equally and have equal rights.

'That's what we are advocating. Unlike others we want to see all those injustices righted and then we want a level playing field.”

SunLive asked some of the students at yesterday's event who they would you vote for if the election was today and who stood out for them in the debate?

Stevie-Jean Gear, 22:

'My major vote will go to Labour.

'Who stood out for me today was Te Ururoa Flavell because he stood up gave a different spiel and painted a different picture.”

Nadia Mantell, 20:

'My major vote will go to Labour.

'I think the Mana party's approach to Maori issues was good because it embodies everything I believe in.”

Dan Priest, 23:

'I'm still undecided at this stage, but I know who I wouldn't vote for.

'My vote is different every time I vote. I always look what's relevant to me.”

Nick Falaoa, 25:

'My vote will probably be Labour because my family votes for them.

'It's an inherited family vote so nothing sticks out policy wise.”