While the small North Otago town has traditionally hosted the debate in its public hall, this year it is even prepared to take it on the road to a Dunedin venue, if that will get the National Party there.
Last year, Hampden Community Energy, which organises the debate, had the same problem with the National-led Government refusing to put up a team, forcing the community to come up with a composite team.
This year it got in early, writing to Prime Minister John Key in May asking him to organise a government team to debate "the sale of all, or significant proportions of, New Zealand state assets will create more problems than it solves".
Hampden's team, which would take the affirmative, is already organised and is Pete Hodgson (Labour Party), Chris Trotter (political commentator) and Kennedy Graham (Green Party).
Mr Key declined to attend and suggested the group contact Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean.
Mrs Dean said she already had a commitment on that date.
Dugald MacTavish , of Hampden Community Energy, said yesterday his group was writing to individual cabinet and caucus members in the Government, asking them to be in a team to debate the negative of the subject.
"We realise the Waitaki seat may be safe for National and we are a small community, so we are prepared to take the debate on the road to Dunedin if that suits them better," he said.
While organisers were reluctant to do that - the annual debate in Hampden had built up a strong following - it was prepared to compromise to make sure the event happened.
"We don't want to leave any stone unturned to get a government team," Mr MacTavish said.
