Taihape's one-off candidates' meeting was a total washout according to Taihape Community Board chairwoman Michelle Fannin.
"It was very disappointing ...they don't see us as a local town. We're still lumped in as a region, yet Taihape is more than ready to be distinct as a small town.''
The turnout was poor, just 20 people, yet posters had been put up all around town, she said.
Read more: 2017 Election Poll
"I came away very upset because not one of the candidates could comment on what they could or would be prepared to do for Taihape.''
Ms Fannin said Taihape was a great little town with so much going for it.
"Plenty of national through traffic, cafes, gift shops, restaurants even fast-food outlets it's all here and people stop here all the time as a halfway stop.''
Even though we were just a small audience we asked very pertinent questions about housing, roading, waterways and sustainable business.
"But when we asked what can you do for Taihape no one had an answer. They simply couldn't answer it and kept referring to us as a region not a town.''
Ms Fannin said she left the meeting feeling very upset.
"They just see us as a region. We're not the Manawatu-Whanganui region we're Taihape a great little town with a lot going for us."
She admitted the turnout was "pretty tragic" but didn't know why that was.
"It was advertised but there was no hands-on stuff from any of the candidates probably because they did Marton, Bulls and us in a row and it was all as bit much for them.''