In the article at hand, the 2022 New Zealand local elections approach will be addressed from an innovative and current perspective, in order to provide the reader with a complete and updated vision of the topic. The different aspects that 2022 New Zealand local elections covers will be analyzed, exploring its origins, its evolution over time, as well as its relevance today. In addition, different points of view and opinions from experts on the subject will be presented, with the aim of offering a comprehensive and enriching look at 2022 New Zealand local elections. Likewise, possible future trends in relation to 2022 New Zealand local elections will be examined, to provide a prospective vision that allows the reader to understand the importance and impact that this topic has on current society.
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.
The national voter turnout for the 2022 local elections was a record low 36 percent.
Election schedule
Key dates relating to the general election were as follows:
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.
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.
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. 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.
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 MinisterJacinda Ardern, and National Party leader Christopher Luxon called for an independent review and urgent reform to the voting system for local elections.
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.
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 infiltratinglocal 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 Wellingtonpolitical scientist Dr Mona Krewel expressed concern that VFF candidates could be elected due to the low number of candidates and possible low voter turnout.
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."
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.
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. Several newly-elected mayors including Mayor of AucklandWayne Brown, Mayor of InvercargillNobby Clark and Mayor of NelsonNick Smith had campaigned against Three Waters during their mayoral races.
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.
In mid September 2022, Stuff reported that hoardings featuring Nelson City CouncilMāori 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.