Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) has established a new group aimed at refreshing the local electoral system amid low voter turnout.
The LGNZ Electoral Reform Group will be chaired by Nelson mayor Nick Smith, LGNZ said today in a media release. Other members include Whakatāne councillor Toni Boynton, Lower Hutt mayor Campbell Barry, Waipa mayor Susan O'Regan, and Gisborne mayor Rehette Stoltz.
"Serious reform of our local electoral system is needed," LGNZ president Sam Broughton said.
"Currently, local elections are cumbersome and inefficient compared with the general election."
Local Government New Zealand is also seeking to extend terms from three years to four. (Source: 1News)
LGNZ is also looking to extend terms from three years to four.
"There is too much time and money wasted by having short three-year terms," he said.
"Local government does important work and makes long-term decisions on behalf of our communities. It's important we have a strong local democracy backing that, but we need to get the settings right."
The group will work alongside mayors, chairpersons, councils, and communities to "explore four key areas of reform", including:
- Increasing voter turnout
- Implementing and transitioning to four-year terms
- Considering the ways people can vote
- Who should administer local elections and how they are best run
'More important than ever'
Smith said the decline in voter turnout in the last 30 years "is a threat to the mandate mayors and councils have to speak up for their communities".
"There are also questions over the viability of postal voting with the decline in postal services and most people doing their business online.
"It is more important than ever, with democratic values being challenged internationally and growing disinformation on social media, that we refresh our approach to local elections."
However, Smith also acknowledged the "difficult work" of reforming local government "as changes to our electoral law are best made by broad agreement".
"I will be working directly in this new role with mayors, chairs, councils, and communities around New Zealand on how improvements in our local democracy can best be achieved.
"I also look forward to engaging with the Government and Opposition political parties on building support for positive reform."
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