2022 New Zealand local elections explained

Election Name:2022 New Zealand local elections
Country:New Zealand
Type:presidential
Previous Election:2019 New Zealand local elections
Previous Year:2019
Next Election:2025 New Zealand local elections
Next Year:2025
Election Date:8 October 2022
Module:
Child:yes
Data2:Promotional logo for the local elections
Header3:
Regional elections
Header4:131 regional councillors across 11 regions
Label5:Control
Data5:No groups have majority control on any council
Label6:Councillors
Header11:
Territorial authority elections
Header12:705 local councillors across66 territorial authorities
Label13:Control
Data13:No groups have majority control on any council
Label14:Councillors
Header21:
Mayoral elections
Header22:66 mayors
Label23:Affiliation
Data25:
Turnout:1,331,517 (40.88%) 1.25 pp

The 2022 New Zealand local elections (mi|Nga Pōtitanga ā-Rohe 2022) 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]

Election schedule

Key dates relating to the general election were as follows:[2]

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 OctoberLast 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.[3] [4] [5]

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.

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.[6] 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.[7] [8] [9] [10] 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. 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.[11]

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.[12] [13] 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 Minister Jacinda Ardern, and National Party leader Christopher Luxon called for an independent review and urgent reform to the voting system for local elections.[14]

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.[15]

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.[16] [17]

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.[18] [19] [20] [21] [22]

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."[23]

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.[24]

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 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.[25] [26] 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.[27] [28] [29]

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.[30]

In September 2022, there were reports of billboards and hoardings featuring Asian and Pasifika candidates being vandalised in the Auckland Region.[31] [32] [33] 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.

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.[34]

Elections

Regional councils

The regions of New Zealand are governed by regional councils as the first tier of local government.

Unitary authorities

Unitary authorities are local government entities that have the powers of both a territorial authority and those of a regional council. There are currently five unitary authorities.

The Chatham Islands have a unique, separately-legislated council that has almost all the powers of a unitary authority.

Territorial authorities

The various urban, suburban, and rural districts of New Zealand are governed by territorial authorities as the second tier of local government.

No elections were held for the Tauranga City Council during the 2022 local elections due to the council being under a Crown commission. Elections for Tauranga City Council were instead held in 2024.

Mayors

All territorial authorities (including unitary authorities) directly elect mayors. Tauranga did not hold a mayoral election due to being under a Crown commission. An election was held in 2024.

Left leaning Right leaning Centrist Other / unclear

Local boards

See main article: 2022 Auckland local board elections. After the conglomeration of the various councils situated within the Auckland Region, local boards were created to deal with more local issues.

Community boards

Elections were also held for 111 community boards, which have been set up by 40 of the territorial authorities under Part 4 of the Local Government Act 2002 to represent the interests of particular communities within those territories.

Licensing trusts

Elections were also held for 14 licensing trusts, which are community-owned companies with government-authorised monopolies on the development of premises licensed for the sale of alcoholic beverages and associated accommodation in an area:

Auckland

Referenda

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Council. Auckland. Key dates for the 2022 local election. 6 February 2022. Auckland Council. en.
  2. Web site: About the 2022 Local Elections. 15 June 2022. Electoral Commission.
  3. News: Manhire . Toby . Not enough people are standing in local elections . 13 August 2022 . . 10 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220810213743/https://thespinoff.co.nz/local-elections-2022/10-08-2022/not-enough-people-are-standing-for-local-elections . 10 August 2022.
  4. News: Shortage of council candidates in many areas ahead of elections . 13 August 2022 . . 6 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220806122043/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/472353/shortage-of-council-candidates-in-many-areas-ahead-of-elections . 6 August 2022.
  5. News: Guest . Tessa . Despair over low number of local government election candidates . 13 August 2022 . . 10 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220810064924/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/despair-over-low-number-of-local-government-election-candidates/HR6OR575S3H22MMQF2TSOFPVPY/ . 10 August 2022.
  6. News: 'Abysmal' early voter turnout raises questions around approach to local elections . 2 October 2022 . . 28 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220928081703/https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/checkpoint/audio/2018860532/abysmal-early-voter-turnout-raises-questions-around-approach-to-local-elections . 28 September 2022. live.
  7. News: Manhire . Toby . Gulp. Ten days out, local election vote turnout across NZ is tracking at a record low . 2 October 2022 . . 28 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220927220035/https://thespinoff.co.nz/local-elections-2022/28-09-2022/gulp-early-local-election-vote-turnout-across-nz-tracking-at-record-low . 27 September 2022. live.
  8. News: Botting . Susan . Local body elections: Northland's low voter turnout blamed on outdated voting system . 2 October 2022 . . . 30 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221002041118/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/northern-advocate/news/local-body-elections-northlands-low-voter-turnout-blamed-on-outdated-voting-system/745F5SLV46FEAGHASE2SWKW2WE/. 2 October 2022. live.
  9. News: Pattemore . Lauren . 2022 Local Body Elections: Voter turnout low across South Canterbury . 2 October 2022 . . . 29 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221002041241/https://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/news/130007493/2022-local-body-elections-voter-turnout-low-across-south-canterbury . 2 October 2022. live.
  10. News: McLean . Glenn . Concerning voter turnout for New Plymouth District as election deadline looms . 2 October 2022 . . . 30 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221002041439/https://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/130022834/concerning-voter-turnout-for-new-plymouth-district-as-election-deadline-looms . 2 October 2022. live.
  11. News: Forbes . Stephen . Auckland's leading mayoral candidates support online voting option to arrest poor turnout . 2 October 2022 . . 29 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221002044543/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/ldr/475735/auckland-s-leading-mayoral-candidates-support-online-voting-option-to-arrest-poor-turnout . 2 October 2022. live.
  12. News: Local body elections: Undelivered voting papers will deter some – official . 2 October 2022 . . 30 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221002043850/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/475774/local-body-elections-undelivered-voting-papers-will-deter-some-official . 2 October 2022.
  13. News: Manhire . Toby . A bunch of voting packs addressed to randoms arrived in the mail. What do I do? . 2 October 2022 . . 21 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221002044019/https://thespinoff.co.nz/local-elections-2022/21-09-2022/a-bunch-of-voting-packs-addressed-to-randoms-arrived-in-the-mail-what-do-i-do . 2 October 2022. live.
  14. News: Neilson . Michael . Local elections 2022: Calls for review over 'extremely concerning' record low turnout . 9 October 2022 . . 9 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221009114807/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/local-elections-2022-calls-for-review-over-extremely-concerning-record-low-turnout/TMDMIHJEO7ER7C6LYD3DRWES24/ . 9 October 2022. live.
  15. News: Bradford . Katie . Lower voting age, four-year terms suggested by local gov group . 28 October 2022 . . . 28 October 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221027230331/https://www.1news.co.nz/2022/10/28/lower-voting-age-four-year-terms-suggested-by-local-gov-group/. 27 October 2022. live.
  16. News: Cleave . Louisa . Penford . Paula . Anti-vax group wanting to make NZ 'ungovernable' targets local body elections . 15 August 2022 . . 15 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220814204937/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/stuff-circuit/300660552/antivax-group-wanting-to-make-nz-ungovernable-targets-local-body-elections . 14 August 2022.
  17. News: Corlett . Eva . New Zealand anti-vax group urges supporters to stand for councils and 'throw weight around' . 9 September 2022 . . 16 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220909004030/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/aug/16/new-zealand-anti-vax-group-urges-supporters-to-stand-for-councils-and-throw-weight-around . 9 September 2022. live.
  18. News: Hudson . Daisy . Concern candidates not being upfront . 18 August 2022 . . 17 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220816170207/https://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/concern-candidates-not-being-upfront . 16 August 2022.
  19. News: Porter . Nadine . Five candidates with links to anti-vaccination group standing for city council . 9 September 2022 . . 16 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220906223812/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/129577024/five-candidates-with-links-to-antivaccination-group-standing-for-city-council . 6 September 2022. live.
  20. News: McLean . Glenn . Operations head of anti-vax group Voices For Freedom standing for New Plymouth District Council . 9 September 2022 . . . 22 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220902125254/https://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/129613549/operations-head-of-antivax-group-voices-for-freedom-standing-for-new-plymouth-district-council . 2 September 2022. live.
  21. News: Ridout . Amy . Nelson council candidates' links to disinformation and conspiracy . 11 September 2022 . . 27 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220902225149/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/129640108/nelson-council-candidates-links-to-disinformation-and-conspiracy . 2 September 2022. live.
  22. News: Vance . Andrea . Hoyle . Craig . Ridout . Amy . The conspiracy theorists Groundswell is trying to weed out . 11 September 2022 . . 28 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220901095748/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/local-body-elections/129698051/the-conspiracy-theorists-groundswell-is-trying-to-weed-out . 1 September 2022. live.
  23. News: LGNZ launches voter education campaign as conspiracists, extremists stand for election . 20 September 2022 . . 1 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220908075219/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/473913/lgnz-launches-voter-education-campaign-as-conspiracists-extremists-stand-for-election . 8 September 2022. live.
  24. News: Vance . Andrea . Mitchell . Charlie . Fewer than a dozen 'disinformation' candidates elected to councils . 12 October 2022 . . 9 October 2022.
  25. News: Milne . Jonathan . Newsroom survey reveals two faces of local change . 24 October 2022 . . 10 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221011065439/https://www.newsroom.co.nz/newsroom-survey-reveals-two-faces-of-local-change . 11 October 2022. live.
  26. News: Manhire . Toby . Just how big was the 'change' vote, and how many mayors hate Three Waters? . 24 October 2022 . . 12 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221022115056/https://thespinoff.co.nz/local-elections-2022/12-10-2022/just-how-big-was-the-change-vote-and-how-many-mayors-hate-three-waters . 22 October 2022. live.
  27. News: Auckland mayor Wayne Brown asks Watercare, council to stop work on Three Waters . 18 October 2022 . . 17 October 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221017205727/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/476840/auckland-mayor-wayne-brown-asks-watercare-council-to-stop-work-on-three-waters. 17 October 2022. live.
  28. News: Brunton . Tess . New Invercargill Mayor points to different leadership style after Sir Tim's departure . 11 October 2022 . . 10 October 2022.
  29. News: Three Waters is 'death wish' for central govt – Nick Smith . 10 October 2022 . . . 9 October 2022.
  30. News: Rankin . Janine . Election hoarding vandals pick particular victims . 16 September 2022 . . . 18 August 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220828154216/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/129594551/election-hoarding-vandals-pick-particular-victims . 28 August 2022. live.
  31. News: Local elections: Auckland candidates of Chinese descent say their billboards being targeted by vandals . 16 September 2022 . . . 6 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220906033114/https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/politics/2022/09/local-elections-auckland-candidates-of-chinese-descent-say-their-billboards-being-targeted-by-vandals.html . 6 September 2022.
  32. News: Xia . Lucy . Local election billboard vandalism feels like attack on community, Asian Aucklanders say . 16 September 2022 . . 14 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220914162231/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/474766/local-election-billboard-vandalism-feels-like-attack-on-community-asian-aucklanders-say . 14 September 2022.
  33. News: Morton . Nathan . Billboard vandalism, racist slurs target Asian election candidates in east Auckland . 16 September 2022 . . 6 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220907075516/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/300680546/billboard-vandalism-racist-slurs-target-asian-election-candidates-in-east-auckland . 7 September 2022.
  34. News: Ridout . Amy . Stolen signs 'disheartening' for Whakatū Māori ward candidate . 18 September 2022 . . 14 September 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220914085607/https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/local-body-elections/129787212/stolen-signs-disheartening-for-whakat-mori-ward-candidate . 14 September 2022. live.
  35. Web site: 2022 . Local Authority Election Statistics 2022 . 14 October 2024 . Department of Internal Affairs.
  36. Web site: Meet the Trustees . www.birkenheadlicensingtrust.org . Birkenhead Licensing Trust . 15 August 2022.
  37. Web site: Licensing trustee official results . www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz . . 16 October 2022 . en.
  38. Web site: 2022 Triennial Elections DECLARATION OF RESULT . www.hurunui.govt.nz . . 16 October 2022.
  39. Web site: Clutha Licensing Trust – Board . www.clt-trust.co.nz . Clutha Licensing Trust . 16 October 2022 . en.
  40. Web site: 2022 Triennial Elections DECLARATION OF RESULT . www.hastingsdc.govt.nz . . 16 October 2022.
  41. Web site: Geraldine Licensing Trust . geraldine.nz . 30 August 2021 . Geraldine New Zealand . 1 December 2022.
  42. Web site: The Board ILT . www.ilt.co.nz . Invercargill Licensing Trust . 23 October 2022.
  43. Web site: 2022 Elections Final Results . icc.govt.nz . . 16 October 2022 . en-nz.
  44. Web site: Supporting the local MLT Community . www.mltgore.co.nz . Mataura Licensing Trust . 15 August 2022 . en.
  45. Web site: 2022 Election Results – Gore District Council . www.goredc.govt.nz . . 16 October 2022.
  46. Web site: Our People . www.mwlt.org.nz . Mount Wellington Licensing Trust . 1 December 2022 . en.
  47. Web site: Meet Your Board . olt.co.nz . Oamaru Licensing Trust . 15 August 2022 . en.
  48. Web site: 2022 Triennial Elections DECLARATION OF RESULT . www.waitaki.govt.nz . . 16 October 2022.
  49. Web site: About Your Trusts . thetrusts.co.nz . The Trusts . 1 December 2022 . en-NZ.
  50. Web site: 2022 Triennial Elections DECLARATION OF RESULT . www.upperhuttcity.com . . 16 October 2022.
  51. Web site: About Your Trust . www.wiritrust.org.nz . Wiri Licensing Trust . 1 December 2022 . en.

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