Vote 2022 campaign
This October regions across the country will be holding local elections. So, let’s make Aotearoa the most active and inclusive local democracy in the world.
That’s the bold ambition of Local Government New Zealand and Taituarā – Local Government Professionals Aotearoa’s Vote 2022 campaign. The campaign will be rolled out across the motu with support from a range of partners. It’s all about championing local government as a place for everyone through diverse representation and getting more people to pōti, vote.
The Vote 2022 campaign will run in two phases encouraging people first to stand for election and then to vote.
Familiar faces and local heroes are featured in Vote 2022, as they share what’s important to them for their local communities, whānau, and rohe. What do you stand for?
Connect with Vote 2022 on social media
Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
Meet the faces
Ezekiel Raui
Te Rarawa ki Hokianga, Ngāpuhi.
Ezekiel is no stranger to dreaming big but has never lost sight of his roots. He grew up in the Far North community of Whatuwhiwhi in Doubtless Bay and was the first in his whānau to attend university. He is currently studying towards his Master’s in Business at Te Kūnenga Kī Pūrehuroa – Massey University, while being the Māori Capability Lead at New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and running his own consultancy business. Ezekiel’s had the chance to meet some interesting people from the Obama’s to the Queen and also been named in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list of the Asia-Pacific’s most influential young entrepreneurs.
Anna Worthington
Anna runs Cakes By Anna, a made to order cake business that has seen her become one of the country’s most sought after bakers. The 34-year old lives in Sydenham, Ōtautahi Christchurch with her partner Jack. Anna really enjoyed baking, and had done a Fine Arts degree, so was a creative person looking for an outlet. In 2012, she opened a stall at the Riccarton Farmers Market, the starting point of many Christchurch success stories. Anna is passionate about supporting and creating empowered spaces for young people, creatives, and change-makers in her local community.
Ziena Jalil
Ziena doesn’t believe in boxes. She works in the spaces between. She is a daughter of community-minded parents from Fiji, a mum, an award-winning business and public sector leader and an inclusion advocate. As early as Ziena can remember, she saw her parents not just advancing their own careers, but improving outcomes for marginalised communities. Seeing people live with dignity and pride matters the most to Ziena. It’s important to her that we build a country, workplaces, and communities where all our people feel respected and valued.
Paula Tesoriero MNZM
Paula is a trailblazer. Paralympian and former senior public servant, she is Aotearoa New Zealand’s Disability Rights Commissioner. Paula has served on a number of Sport and Disability Boards, was the Chef de Mission for the Tokyo Paralympic Team and serves on New Zealand’s Sports Tribunal. She is also an honorary advisor to the Asia New Zealand Foundation. Paula has a long record of increasing awareness of disability issues. As the Disability Rights Commissioner Paula works to protect and promote the rights of disabled New Zealanders at every level to help break down barriers to inclusion.
Lealofitaute Va’ai
Lealofitaute is a Samoan creative who is proud to have grown up in the South Auckland suburb of Manurewa. She is #RewaHard through and through and passionate about mental health in the Pacific community. She believes it takes a village to normalise talanoa around mental health in Pasifika communities. After experiencing some health issues two years ago, she says creating artwork became an outlet for her, and part of her healing process. Her artistic talent has not gone unnoticed, and at the 2021 Prime Minister’s Pacific Youth Awards, Lealofitaute won the Creative NZ and Massey University Arts and Creativity category.
Andrew Weaver
Andrew is all about questioning the status quo. He is a strategic specialist with over 30 years hands-on management and consultancy experience but is also a big supporter of community groups, charities, and social enterprises. Andrew believes a different, kinder, more inclusive, and collaborative way of working together will help communities thrive by upholding the mana of people and place. He is drawn to people with a strong vision and passion for impact and change, seeking to support amazing people in their inspiring mahi that is grounded in aroha for people and communities and respect for the natural world.