A new survey by LGNZ has confirmed the observation made
at last year’s local elections that the face of local
government is changing, and shows a significant increase in
elected members who are younger, female, more educated and
Māori.
LGNZ is the peak body representing New
Zealand’s 78 local councils, providing a unified voice for
the sector and a pathway for continuous improvement through
CouncilMARK™.
“The results of our research
confirms what many thought, that there was a real injection
of youth and diversity into local government at the last
election, which dispels the notion that the sector is solely
the domain of the pale, stale male,” said LGNZ President
Stuart Crosby.
Over 41% of the successful candidate
respondents stood for their first term in 2019, far greater
than in the 27% who debuted after the 2016 elections.
Additionally the number of candidates who had a graduate
degree increased by 5%, to 23.5%, the biggest jump across
all levels of member education, followed by those with
PHDs.
Māori elected members increased to 13.5% in
2019, from just 5% in 2007. Māori members are also more
likely to be younger and female than non-Māori
members.
Interestingly, the age groups that have grown
the most between 2016 and 2019 are at the extremes. The
number of candidates aged 18 to 40 age has almost doubled,
and those aged over 71 increased by 4% compared to
2016.
“The research shows that more young Māori are
standing up to be heard, particularly wahine, and that is
great to see,” continued Mr Crosby.
“Obviously
there is still work to do in getting more diversity across
the board, but this survey shows really good
progress.”
The survey found the motivations of
successful elected members varied greatly. Compared to other
ages groups, more respondents in the 18-30 age group gave
‘dissatisfaction with the way things are run,’ as a
reason for standing, and compared to 2016, there was an
increase in those under 40 citing the desire ‘to gain
political experience,’ perhaps reflecting an increase in
younger members.
“Last year we saw a lot of youth
getting involved in political and social causes, for example
the school strike for climate, and I think that translated
into more young people standing for local government,”
said Mr Crosby.
“Even with a lack of civics
education in school, more and more young people are seeing
local democracy as a way to shape New Zealand’s
future.”
The proportion of respondents who stated
that their main occupation was being an elected member also
rose by from 30% in to 2016 to 35% in 2019.
“Another
thing we think is driving younger members, as well as an
interest in political and social causes, is that
remuneration has increased, and this makes it actually
viable for young people to both stand for local government
and raise a family. The opportunity cost has been
lowered.”
“Traditionally the low pay has meant
that local government has favoured the self-employed or
retired, but this is slowly changing,” concluded Mr
Crosby.
The survey also showed differing motivations
for those standing for local government.
Male
respondents cited a motivation to improve roads and building
regulations, and promote better value for council services,
while women candidates who were surveyed more commonly cited
addressing climate change, protecting and enhancing the
natural environment, and advancing walking and cycling
facilities as higher priorities.
The 2019 local
elections saw a turnout consistent with the previous two
elections, at 42%, compared to 43% in 2016 and 42% in
2013.
LGNZ Principal Policy Advisor Dr Mike Reid, who
led the surveys and research, said that overall the results
were pleasing, and that he was interested in how they would
compare to the general elections.
“As we head into
the central government elections, it will be interesting to
see how the social and political causes of our time
influence the breadth of candidates who both stand, and are
elected.”
“We want a broad set of elected members
to represent the diverse views of our community. You only
have to look overseas where there’s a lack of plurality
and a lack of choice in representation, and see that it’s
not good for any society,” concluded Mr Reid.
To see
the full survey visit www.lgnz.co.nz.
