- By Laura Kvigstad, Auckland Council reporter funded by New Zealand on Air
The Auckland Council is showing its support for a four-year electoral term as part of reform discussions led by Local Government New Zealand.
At the council’s Governing Body meeting on December 12, councillors agreed to submit on a Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) issues paper exploring electoral reform.
Key topics in the paper include public understanding of local government, public awareness of candidates and policies, the possibility of a four-year electoral cycle, and voting methods for local elections.
The paper raises questions about who is responsible for improving public understanding, how to address the decline in local media, and what the future voting method for local elections should be.
Principal governance advisor Warwick McNaughton said the council’s submission supports a four-year term and highlights the pros and cons of booth voting for local elections.
“The submission simply provides examples of what Auckland Council does which might hopefully assist the national debate,” McNaughton said.
The council voted to leave LGNZ in 2023 and Mayor Wayne Brown questioned the relevance of responding to the organisation’s paper.
“If we’re going to do anything, we would do our own [submission] to the Government when they get around it, wouldn’t we?” Brown asked.
McNaughton said the submission could help shape early discussions, but the council would also still submit to select committees.
“The discussion about electoral reform and the future scenario for local government elections is really a national discussion.
“The electoral working group’s findings will ultimately feed into consideration by parliamentary committees.”
McNaughton explained that the submission could help shape early talks, but noted the council would also make submissions to parliamentary select committees.
“The discussion about electoral reform and the future scenario for local government elections is really a national discussion.
“The electoral working group’s findings will ultimately feed into consideration by parliamentary committees.”
After five hours of debate, largely on council-controlled organisation (CCO) reform, Brown said it was a testament to shorter terms.
“Anyone who has just endured the last five hours and wants to do it for another year to make it four years has gone mad.”
Brown called for a show of hands among councillors supporting a four-year term, and several hands were raised.
Councillor John Watson remarked: “There are a lot harder jobs in Auckland than sitting around here.”
