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The 2022 New Zealand local elections were triennial elections held in New Zealand on Saturday 8 October 2022. Voting began by postal vote on 16 September and ended at noon on 8 October 2022.[1]
The national voter turnout for the 2022 local elections was a record low 36 percent.[2]
Election schedule
Key dates relating to the general election were as follows:[3]
30 June | Electoral Commission enrolment campaign starts. |
First week of July | Enrolment update packs sent by Electoral Commission to electors. |
12 August | Enrolment closes for the printed electoral roll. |
16–21 September | Voting documents sent to all enrolled voters by local councils. |
4 October | Last day to post ballot to ensure delivery. |
7 October | Last day to enrol to vote. |
8 October | Polling day — The voting documents must be at the council before voting closes at midday/12:00pm. Preliminary results to be released as soon as readily available afterwards. |
Issues
Low candidate numbers
In early August 2022, Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) and several local councils including Central Otago District Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council, Hastings District Council, Mackenzie District Council, Nelson City Council, Otago Regional Council, Environment Southland, Queenstown Lakes District Council, Rangitikei District Council, South Waikato District Council, and Rotorua Lakes Council expressed concern about the low number of candidates standing for wards, council seats, and mayoral offices. For example, the Mackenzie District Council reported only three nominations for a total of 19 vacancies.[4][5][6]
LGNZ President Stuart Crosby attributed the low number of candidates to several factors including abusive rhetoric directed against electoral officials on issues such as the Three Waters reform programme and resource management reform, and low remuneration rates which disadvantaged candidates from young and diverse communities in rural and provincial areas. Local government consultant Peter McKinlay identified central government pressure on local councils, compliance requirements, and changes to governing arrangements since the 1980s as factors discouraging people from standing for local government positions.[5]
Low voter turnout
The 2022 local elections reported a record low voter turnout across the country. By 28 September, Auckland had reported a voter turnout of 8.8%, 10.9% in Christchurch, 4.9% in Wellington, 3.9% in Taupō, and 19.8% in the Westland District.[7] Low voter turnout was also reported in other urban centres and regions including Dunedin, Invercargill, Nelson, Rotorua, Queenstown, the Northland Region, South Canterbury, and the New Plymouth District.[8][9][10][11] Auckland University of Technology political scientist Julienne Molineaux attributed the low voter turnout to public interest in the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the long weekend, a long voting period, and public disengagement with postal voting due to insufficient posting infrastructure.[7] In response to low voter turnout, Auckland mayoral candidates Efeso Collins and Wayne Brown advocated scrapping the postal voter system in favour of online voting.[12]
In late September 2022, Radio New Zealand and The Spinoff reported that several voters including Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta were experiencing delays in receiving their postal ballot papers.[13][14] According to Radio New Zealand, most local councils hired private companies to manage their elections. One Northland electoral official advocated transferring management of local elections to the Electoral Commission, which manages the triennial general elections.[13]
By 9 October, The New Zealand Herald reported that the national voter turnout for the 2022 local elections was a record low 36 percent. Voter turnout in local body elections had declined in New Zealand over the past 25 years since 1989, which recorded a national voter turnout of 57%. In response, Local Government New Zealand President Stuart Crosby, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, and National Party leader Christopher Luxon called for an independent review and urgent reform to the voting system for local elections.[15]
On 28 October, the Future for Local Government group advocated several recommendations aimed at improving voter turnout at future local body elections including lowering the voting age to 16 years old, four-year terms, raising salaries for elected local officials, implementing the single transferable voting system nationwide, and improving engagement with the public particularly Māori voters.[16]
Entryism
In mid–August 2022, Stuff and the Guardian Australia reported that the anti-vaccination group Voices for Freedom (VFF) had encouraged its members to contest the 2022 local elections with the intention of infiltrating local government bodies in order to make New Zealand "ungovernable" at the local government level. VFF candidates were instructed to conceal their affiliation with the group when running as candidates. Victoria University of Wellington political scientist Dr Mona Krewel expressed concern that VFF candidates could be elected due to the low number of candidates and possible low voter turnout.[17][18]
Notable VFF-affiliated candidates have included Teviot Valley Community Board candidate Gill Booth, Southland dairy farmer Jaspreet Bopara, Dunedin coordinators Watson and Tracey Pita, Christchurch City Council candidates Sally Cogle and Mike Wilson, VFF head of national operations and New Plymouth District Council candidate Tane Webster, Nelson City Council candidate Zoe Byrne, Whangārei District Council candidate Tracy Thomasson, and Tasman District Council candidate James Wolfen Duvall.[17][19][18][20][21][22][23]
In early September 2022, Local Government NZ launched a campaign to help voters identify conspiracy theorists and extremists running for local government positions. Anti-misinformation group FACT Aotearoa had identified 170 candidates with extremist views or who were associated with anti-vaccination or anti-government groups. Massey University's Centre for Defence and Security Studies director Dr William Hoverd attributed the surge in "extremist" candidates to the occupation of the New Zealand Parliament's grounds during the 2022 Wellington protest, which in his view "had unified and galvanised groups with little in common other than their dissatisfaction with the Government."[24]
Following the release of preliminary local election results on 8 October, Stuff reported that fewer than twelve Voices of Freedom–affiliated candidates had been elected to local government positions. The VFF had fielded over 200 candidates who were contesting 159 races. Notable successful pro-VFF candidates have included Southland District Council member Jaspreet Bosparai, Teviot Community Board member Gill Booth, Deputy Mayor of Whanganui Jenny Duncan, Paraparaumu/Raumati Community board member Jonny Best, Waikato Regional Council member Clyde Graf, Selwyn District Council member Elizabeth Mundt, Hibiscus and Bays Local Board member Leanne Willis, Oraka Aparima community board member Emma Gould, and Taupo District Council member Duncan Campbell. In addition, several incumbent councillors who had expressed support for VFF's views including Carterton District Council member Jill Greathead and Gisborne District Council member Meredith Akuhata-Brown were defeated.[25]
Three Waters reform programme
Following the conclusion of the local elections in early October 2022, surveys conducted by the online media organisations Newsroom and The Spinoff found that a majority of elected mayors opposed the Government's Three Waters reform programme, a national water infrastructure programme that would take management of water assets and services away from local government bodies. While Newsroom's survey of 220 newly-elected mayors and councillors found that 76% of respondents of 220 newly-elected mayors and councillors surveyed opposed the Three Water reforms, the Spinoff found that 43 of the 66 elected mayors surveyed opposed the reforms.[26][27] Several newly-elected mayors including Mayor of Auckland Wayne Brown, Mayor of Invercargill Nobby Clark and Mayor of Nelson Nick Smith had campaigned against Three Waters during their mayoral races.[28][29][30]
Vandalism
In mid August 2022, the Manawatu Standard reported that several hoardings featuring Labour candidates in Palmerston North including Lorna Johnson and Zulfiqar Butt had been vandalised. The Labour candidates lodged complaints with the Police.[31]
In September 2022, there were reports of billboards and hoardings featuring Asian and Pasifika candidates being vandalised in the Auckland Region.[32][33][34] The targeting of ethnic minority candidates' hoardings was condemned by Mayor of Auckland Phil Goff and Samoan New Zealander mayoral candidates Efeso Collins and Ted Johnston.[33][34]
In mid September 2022, Stuff reported that hoardings featuring Nelson City Council Māori ward candidate Bernie Goldsmith were stolen, which the media company attributed to opposition to the Council's decision to adopt a Māori ward. In addition, hoardings featuring mayoral candidates Matt Lawrey and former National Party Member of Parliament Nick Smith were vandalised.[35]
Elections
Mayoral election summary
Regional council chairs
Regional council | Incumbent | Chair |
---|---|---|
Northland Regional Council | Penny Smart | Tui Shortland[101] |
Waikato Regional Council | Barry Quayle[102] | Pamela Storey[103] |
Bay of Plenty Regional Council | Doug Leeder[104] | |
Hawke's Bay Regional Council | Rick Barker[105] | Hinewai Ormsby[106] |
Taranaki Regional Council | David MacLeod | Charlotte Littlewood[107] |
Horizons Regional Council | Rachel Keedwell[108] | |
Greater Wellington Regional Council | Daran Ponter[109] | |
West Coast Regional Council | Allan Birchfield | |
Canterbury Regional Council | Jenny Hughey | Peter Scott[110] |
Otago Regional Council | Andrew Noone[111] | Gretchen Robertson[112] |
Southland Regional Council | Nicol Horrell[113] |
Notes
References
- ↑ Council, Auckland. "Key dates for the 2022 local election". Auckland Council. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
- ↑ Neilson, Michael (9 October 2022). "Local elections 2022: Calls for review over 'extremely concerning' record low turnout". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 9 October 2022. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
- ↑ "About the 2022 Local Elections". Electoral Commission. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
- ↑ Manhire, Toby (10 August 2022). "Not enough people are standing in local elections". The Spinoff. Archived from the original on 10 August 2022. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
- 1 2 "Shortage of council candidates in many areas ahead of elections". Radio New Zealand. 6 August 2022. Archived from the original on 6 August 2022. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
- ↑ Guest, Tessa (10 August 2022). "Despair over low number of local government election candidates". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 10 August 2022. Retrieved 13 August 2022.
- 1 2 "'Abysmal' early voter turnout raises questions around approach to local elections". Radio New Zealand. 28 September 2022. Archived from the original on 28 September 2022. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
- ↑ Manhire, Toby (28 September 2022). "Gulp. Ten days out, local election vote turnout across NZ is tracking at a record low". The Spinoff. Archived from the original on 27 September 2022. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
- ↑ Botting, Susan (30 September 2022). "Local body elections: Northland's low voter turnout blamed on outdated voting system". The New Zealand Herald. Northern Advocate. Archived from the original on 2 October 2022. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
- ↑ Pattemore, Lauren (29 September 2022). "2022 Local Body Elections: Voter turnout low across South Canterbury". Timaru Herald. Stuff. Archived from the original on 2 October 2022. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
- ↑ McLean, Glenn (30 September 2022). "Concerning voter turnout for New Plymouth District as election deadline looms". Taranaki Daily News. Stuff. Archived from the original on 2 October 2022. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
- ↑ Forbes, Stephen (29 September 2022). "Auckland's leading mayoral candidates support online voting option to arrest poor turnout". Radio New Zealand. Archived from the original on 2 October 2022. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
- 1 2 "Local body elections: Undelivered voting papers will deter some - official". Radio New Zealand. 30 September 2022. Archived from the original on 2 October 2022. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
- ↑ Manhire, Toby (21 September 2022). "A bunch of voting packs addressed to randoms arrived in the mail. What do I do?". The Spinoff. Archived from the original on 2 October 2022. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
- ↑ Neilson, Michael (9 October 2022). "Local elections 2022: Calls for review over 'extremely concerning' record low turnout". The New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 9 October 2022. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
- ↑ Bradford, Katie (28 October 2022). "Lower voting age, four-year terms suggested by local gov group". 1 News. TVNZ. Archived from the original on 27 October 2022. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
- 1 2 Cleave, Louisa; Penford, Paula (15 August 2022). "Anti-vax group wanting to make NZ 'ungovernable' targets local body elections". Stuff. Archived from the original on 14 August 2022. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
- 1 2 Corlett, Eva (16 August 2022). "New Zealand anti-vax group urges supporters to stand for councils and 'throw weight around'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 9 September 2022. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
- ↑ Hudson, Daisy (17 August 2022). "Concern candidates not being upfront". Otago Daily Times. Archived from the original on 16 August 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2022.
- ↑ Porter, Nadine (16 August 2022). "Five candidates with links to anti-vaccination group standing for city council". Stuff. Archived from the original on 6 September 2022. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
- ↑ McLean, Glenn (22 August 2022). "Operations head of anti-vax group Voices For Freedom standing for New Plymouth District Council". Taranaki Daily News. Stuff. Archived from the original on 2 September 2022. Retrieved 9 September 2022.
- ↑ Ridout, Amy (27 August 2022). "Nelson council candidates' links to disinformation and conspiracy". Stuff. Archived from the original on 2 September 2022. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
- ↑ Vance, Andrea; Hoyle, Craig; Ridout, Amy (28 August 2022). "The conspiracy theorists Groundswell is trying to weed out". Stuff. Archived from the original on 1 September 2022. Retrieved 11 September 2022.
- ↑ "LGNZ launches voter education campaign as conspiracists, extremists stand for election". Radio New Zealand. 1 September 2022. Archived from the original on 8 September 2022. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
- ↑ Vance, Andrea; Mitchell, Charlie (9 October 2022). "Fewer than a dozen 'disinformation' candidates elected to councils". Radio New Zealand. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ↑ Milne, Jonathan (10 October 2022). "Newsroom survey reveals two faces of local change". Newsroom. Archived from the original on 11 October 2022. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
- ↑ Manhire, Toby (12 October 2022). "Just how big was the 'change' vote, and how many mayors hate Three Waters?". The Spinoff. Archived from the original on 22 October 2022. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
- ↑ "Auckland mayor Wayne Brown asks Watercare, council to stop work on Three Waters". Radio New Zealand. 17 October 2022. Archived from the original on 17 October 2022. Retrieved 18 October 2022.
- ↑ Brunton, Tess (10 October 2022). "New Invercargill Mayor points to different leadership style after Sir Tim's departure". Radio New Zealand. Retrieved 11 October 2022.
- ↑ "Three Waters is 'death wish' for central govt - Nick Smith". 1 News. TVNZ. 9 October 2022. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
- ↑ Rankin, Janine (18 August 2022). "Election hoarding vandals pick particular victims". Manawatu Standard. Stuff. Archived from the original on 28 August 2022. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
- ↑ "Local elections: Auckland candidates of Chinese descent say their billboards being targeted by vandals". Newshub. Warner Bros. Discovery New Zealand. 6 September 2022. Archived from the original on 6 September 2022. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
- 1 2 Xia, Lucy (14 September 2022). "Local election billboard vandalism feels like attack on community, Asian Aucklanders say". Radio New Zealand. Archived from the original on 14 September 2022. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
- 1 2 Morton, Nathan (6 September 2022). "Billboard vandalism, racist slurs target Asian election candidates in east Auckland". Stuff. Archived from the original on 7 September 2022. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
- ↑ Ridout, Amy (14 September 2022). "Stolen signs 'disheartening' for Whakatū Māori ward candidate". Stuff. Archived from the original on 14 September 2022. Retrieved 18 September 2022.
- ↑ de Graaf, Peter (14 October 2022). "Moko Tepania makes history as Far North's new mayor". The New Zealand Herald. The Northern Advocate.
- ↑ "2022 Election final results". Whangarei District Council.
- ↑ "DECLARATION OF RESULTS OF ELECTION" (PDF). Kaipara District Council.
- ↑ "Mayor official results". Auckland Council.
- ↑ "Election 2022 - Final Results". Thames-Coromandel District.
- ↑ Smith, Alison (18 August 2022). "Elections 2022: Hauraki mayor returns unopposed, eyes future". The New Zealand Herald. Bay of Plenty Times.
- ↑ "Results". Waikato District Council.
- ↑ "Local elections 2022: Matamata-Piako elected Adrienne Wilcock as new mayor". The New Zealand Herald. 14 October 2022.
- ↑ "DECLARATION OF RESULTS OF ELECTION" (PDF). Hamilton City Council.
- ↑ "Waipā District Council 2022 Triennial Elections DECLARATION OF RESULT" (PDF). Waipa District Council.
- ↑ "Elections". Ōtorohanga District Council.
- ↑ Lampp, Warwick (13 October 2022). South Waikato District Council - 2022 Triennial Elections - Declaration of Result (PDF). South Saikato District Council (Report).
- ↑ "Waitomo District Council 2022 Triennial Elections DECLARATION OF RESULT" (PDF). Waitomo District Council.
- ↑ "Taupō District Council 2022 Triennial Elections DECLARATION OF RESULT" (PDF). Taupō District Council.
- ↑ "Results". Western Bay of Plenty District Council.
- ↑ "Minister Nanaia Mahuta decides to continue Tauranga City Council commission". The New Zealand Herald. Bay of Plenty Times. 11 March 2022.
- ↑ "Vote 2022: Rotorua Lakes Council official election results". The New Zealand Herald. Rotorua Daily Post. 14 October 2022.
- ↑ "Elections 2022 - Results". Whakatāne District Council.
- 1 2 Orsman, Bernard (6 October 2022). "The seven mayors who have already been elected unopposed - and their six-figure salaries". The New Zealand Herald.
- ↑ "Results". Ōpōtiki District Council.
- ↑ "Election results". Gisborne District Council.
- ↑ "2022 Election Results & Expenses". Wairoa District Council.
- ↑ "Napier City Council 2022 Triennial Elections DECLARATION OF RESULT" (PDF). Napier City Council.
- ↑ "CHB Mayor Alex Walker regains her seat unopposed". The New Zealand Herald. Hawke's Bay Today. 12 August 2022.
- ↑ "DECLARATION OF RESULTS OF ELECTION" (PDF). New Plymouth District Council.
- ↑ McLean, Glenn (12 August 2022). "Few candidates mean South Taranaki and Stratford councils largely decided before vote". Taranaki Daily News. Stuff.
- ↑ "2022 results". 10 October 2022. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
- ↑ "Ruapehu District Council Te Kaunihera-ā-Rohe o Ruapehu 2022 Triennial Elections: FINAL RESULT" (PDF). Ruapehu District Council.
- ↑ "Whanganui District Council 2022 Triennial Elections DECLARATION OF RESULT" (PDF). Whanganui District Council.
- ↑ "Election Results 2022". Rangitikei District Council.
- ↑ "Final Results". Manawatū District Council. 9 December 2022.
- ↑ "LGE 2022 - Final" (PDF). Palmerston North City Council.
- ↑ "Election Results". Tararua District Council.
- ↑ "Final election results announced for Horowhenua District Council". Horowhenua District Council. 14 October 2022.
- ↑ "DECLARATION OF RESULTS OF ELECTION" (PDF). Kapiti Coast District Council.
- ↑ "Porirua City Elections 2022 - Final Results". Scoop.co.nz. Porirua City Council. 14 October 2022.
- ↑ "Upper Hutt City Council 2022 Triennial Elections DECLARATION OF RESULT" (PDF). Upper Hutt City Council.
- ↑ "Hutt City Council 2022 Triennial Elections DECLARATION OF RESULT".
- ↑ "Mayor". Wellington City Council.
- ↑ "Masterton District Council 2022 Triennial Elections DECLARATION OF RESULT" (PDF). electionz.com. Masterton District Council.
- ↑ "Carterton District Council 2022 Triennial Elections DECLARATION OF RESULT" (PDF). Carterton District Council.
- ↑ "South Wairarapa District Council 2022 Triennial Elections DECLARATION OF RESULT" (PDF). South Wairarapa District Council.
- ↑ "Elections". Tasman District Council.
- ↑ "Local Elections 2022: final results". Nelson City Council.
- ↑ "Marlborough District Council 2022 Triennial Elections DECLARATION OF RESULT" (PDF). Marlborough District Council.
- ↑ "Buller District Council 2022 Triennial Elections FINAL RESULT". Buller District Council.
- ↑ "Declaration of Result". Grey District Council.
- ↑ "Westland District Council 2022 Triennial Elections DECLARATION OF RESULT" (PDF). Westland District Council.
- ↑ "Kaikōura District Council 2022 Triennial Elections DECLARATION OF RESULT" (PDF). Kaikoura District Council.
- 1 2 "Meet the Nelson man running to be the mayor of six councils". Stuff. 12 August 2022.
- ↑ "Waimakariri District Council 2022 Triennial Elections DECLARATION OF RESULT" (PDF). Waimakariri District Council.
- ↑ "Christchurch City Council 2022 Triennial Elections DECLARATION OF RESULT" (PDF). Christchurch City Council.
- ↑ "2022 Election results". Selwyn District Council.
- ↑ "Local Election declaration of results 2022: Mayor Neil Brown re-elected, four new faces". Ashburton District Council. 13 October 2022.
- ↑ "Timaru District Council 2022 Triennial Elections Declaration of Final Result". Timaru District Council.
- ↑ "Mackenzie District Council 2022 Triennial Elections DECLARATION OF RESULT" (PDF). electionz.com. Mackenzie District Council.
- ↑ "Waimate District Council 2022 Triennial Elections DECLARATION OF RESULT" (PDF). electionz.com. Waimate District Council.
- ↑ "Local elections 2022". 12 October 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
- ↑ "Waitaki District Council 2022 Triennial Elections DECLARATION OF RESULT" (PDF). Waitaki District Council.
- ↑ "Final Results Announced In QLDC Local Election". Scoop.co.nz. Queenstown-Lakes District Council. 13 October 2022.
- ↑ "2022 Election results". Dunedin City Council.
- ↑ "Voting information". Clutha District Council.
- ↑ Baker, Che (13 October 2022). "Rob Scott named as Southland District mayor". Stuff.
- ↑ "Gore elects youngest mayor in NZ history". Otago Daily Times. 13 October 2022.
- ↑ "2022 Elections Final Results". Invercargill City Council.
- ↑ "Tui Shortland elected chair of new regional council". Northland Regional Council. 26 October 2022.
- ↑ "'Cohesion' important, says new Waikato Regional Council Chair". Waikato Regional Council. 9 May 2022.
- ↑ "Waikato Regional Council chair and deputy selected". Waikato Regional Council. 27 October 2022.
- ↑ McCarthy, Diane (19 October 2022). "Bay of Plenty: New regional council sworn in at Whakatāne marae". New Zealand Herald.
- ↑ "Rick Barker - new Chair of Hawke's Bay Regional Council". Hawke's Bay Regional Council. 30 June 2021.
- ↑ "Hinewai Ormsby elected as youngest and first Māori chairperson". Hawke's Bay Regional Council. 31 October 2022.
- ↑ "Council elects new chairperson". Taranaki Regional Council. 26 October 2022.
- ↑ Galuszka, Jono (27 October 2022). "Rachel Keedwell retains chairperson role at Horizons Regional Council". Stuff.
- ↑ Harrison, Emma (28 October 2022). "Daran Ponter elected as Greater Wellington Chair and Adrienne Staples as Deputy Chair". Greater Wellington Regional Council.
- ↑ "Councillors elect Peter Scott as Chair for new term". Canterbury Regional Council. 27 October 2022.
- ↑ McNeilly, Hamish (8 July 2020). "Marian Hobbs slams dementia rumour as Otago Regional Council drops her as chair". Stuff.
- ↑ Jamieson, Debbie (26 October 2022). "Otago Regional Council elects Gretchen Robertson as new chairperson". Stuff.
- ↑ Kelly, Rachael (28 October 2022). "Horrell retains Environment Southland chairmanship". Stuff.