People elected in local body elections are generally male, pākehā, and likely aged between 56 and 60-years-old. Local Government NZ wants to turn that around. But how?
Many residents gathered at the New Plymouth District Council meeting to have their say over the golf club's potential demise. Photo: RNZ / Robin Martin
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Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) President Stuart Crosby admits, being a New Zealand European and 65-years-old, that he's the poster child for everything LGNZ wants to change.
"We do need people like myself, with quite a lot of experience, but the key is to get more diversity into council chambers," Crosby told Checkpoint.
Crosby was first elected to local government when he was 30, and said more younger people were needed.
"You do need that mix of new blood, and a commitment from them to stay in the business for a little while at least so they can build up that bank of knowledge for their community, with all the issues, and you need experience as well."
So is it an issue with who is standing? Or are more diverse candidates just not being elected?
"Our research says they are standing and some aren't getting elected. The dial has shifted a little bit in terms of gender, age, Pasifika and Maori, but there's still a long way to go.
"What we'd like to see - the ultimate goal, and it probably won't ever happen in a democratic system, is to get a council that actually and truly reflects a community."
LGNZ had two priorities for this year's local body elections - to get more diverse candidates to stand, and encourage the public to vote.
Many people don't bother voting because the elections can be quite complicated, there can be up to 50 names on the paper and there is no option to vote electronically, which Crosby said LGNZ believes would go "a long way in encouraging people to vote".
Crosby said local government elections deserved a higher profile, akin to central government elections.
"We need to get into that space as well, because the impact on councils on people's day-to-day lives currently and for future generations is significant to say the least."
In the 35 years he's been involved, he's seen various changes which have made things far more complicated than was needed, Crosby said.
"It's all about processes now, not outcomes."
He hoped the system could be decluttered, timeframes shortened, and for time to not be spent on so many unnecessary items.