SECTIONS

Local body elections 2022

DunedinOctober 16

Special votes not enough to change result

Defeated Dunedin mayor Aaron Hawkins made up some ground on his rivals with special votes, but not enough to make much difference.
Special votes not enough to change result
Special votes not enough to change result
SouthlandOctober 10

Clark outlines new leadership style for Invercargill

Invercargill ratepayers are coming to grips with a city without long-serving mayor Sir Tim Shadbolt at the helm.
Clark outlines new leadership style for Invercargill
Clark outlines new leadership style for Invercargill
NationalOctober 10

Ardern comments on left's local body election losses

Results from many local body elections show a political shift to the right, but Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told Morning Report that was not necessarily indicative of a shift in feeling on national politics.
Ardern comments on left's local body election losses
Ardern comments on left's local body election losses
NationalOctober 9

Luxon calls for local body elections reform

National leader Christopher Luxon has joined calls for urgent reform to the voting system for local body elections.
Luxon calls for local body elections reform
Luxon calls for local body elections reform
EditorialOctober 5

Still time to vote

By midday Saturday it will be all over bar the shouting, and possibly crying, for this year’s local government elections.
Still time to vote
Still time to vote
NationalOctober 5

Record low voter turnout could be on horizon

The vast majority of the public are not inspired by what is on offer from candidates across the country and voters are not convinced that voting in local elections really matters, Bryce Edwards writes.
Record low voter turnout could be on horizon
Record low voter turnout could be on horizon
DunedinOctober 5

The clock is ticking for last-minute voting

Voters still have time to have their say in Dunedin’s local body elections, but the clock is ticking.
The clock is ticking for last-minute voting
The clock is ticking for last-minute voting
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DunedinSeptember 30

Labour candidates clarify pledge limits

Candidates endorsed by Labour sign a pledge to abide by party principles, but the local context is their domain, the political party has argued.
Labour candidates clarify pledge limits
Labour candidates clarify pledge limits
DunedinSeptember 16

Flowing water analogy helps explain STV

Voting papers have been sent out. Unlike other councils in the South, the Dunedin City Council uses the STV system. This need not leave voters confused, although the system is technical.
Flowing water analogy helps explain STV
Flowing water analogy helps explain STV
SouthlandSeptember 14

Mayoral contenders put cases at meeting

Housing, rates, Three Waters and the need for retaining workers were some of the major topics opined by nine of the Invercargill City Council’s mayoral candidates who took to the stage at The Great Debate last night.
Mayoral contenders put cases at meeting
Mayoral contenders put cases at meeting
SouthlandSeptember 14

Balancing funding and expectations

Keeping up forward momentum in the Gore district will require investment, but not everyone has the same ideas on where money should be spent.
DunedinSeptember 14

Pre-ballot box considerations

Appetite for spending, taking action over climate change and decisions about transport are among key issues for voters to think about when they elect the next Dunedin City Council. Grant Miller reports.
Pre-ballot box considerations
Pre-ballot box considerations
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DunedinSeptember 14

George St decision drives debate at forum

The performance of Dunedin's mayor and councillors was under scrutiny at a debate, where the George St one-way decision came in for plenty of comment.
George St decision drives debate at forum
George St decision drives debate at forum
QueenstownSeptember 8

Mayoral candidate profiles: Queenstown Lakes

When incumbent Jim Boult announced he was stepping down after two terms leading the Queenstown Lakes district, talk around the area immediately turned to who might step into his shoes. 
Mayoral candidate profiles: Queenstown Lakes
Mayoral candidate profiles: Queenstown Lakes
The MixAugust 29

First among equals: The riddle of mayoralty

They're the top dog, the big kahuna. In most places, the mayor is a community leader and face of the council. But what can they actually do, and what makes a good one? Daisy Hudson reports.