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  2. Media

Media

Taituarā — Local Government Professionals Aotearoa and Local Government New Zealand welcome media as partners in this year’s local body elections.

Issues such as climate change, COVID-19, population growth and sustainability are driving wide-spread change in our society. The 2022 elections are also occurring at a time when significant changes are being made to the role and function of local government.

Following the 2019 local elections the profile of elected members is:

  • The proportion of women elected to local government: 40.5%
  • 21 out of 78 mayors are women
  • The percentage of members elected in 2019 for the first time: 41%
  • The number of members who identify as Māori: 13.5%
  • The average age of elected members: 56 – 60
  • The percentage of members under the age of 40: 13.9% (up from 7% in 2016)
  • The share of members for whom being an elected member is their primary occupation: 35%
  • The share of members who are graduates: 23.5%
  • The number of elected members (councillors, mayors, board members): 1605

The following resources are available to aid your reporting of the issues that matter to your communities:

  • Guide to Local Government: All you need to know about the structure and workings of local authorities, plus details on this year’s elections.
  • Candidate Guide: Information shared with prospective candidates to inspire their nomination.

Contacts

For all media enquiries relating to the local authority elections please contact us.

Taituarā

This site has been developed in partnership with Taituarā — Local Government Professionals Aotearoa, its Electoral Reference Group, and Local Government New Zealand to provide leadership and support to the local government sector and to voters.

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