Feilding is the main centre in the Manawatū District, where Michael Ford will be elected unopposed as mayor. Photo: RNZ/Jimmy Ellingham
- Two mayors will be elected unopposed in local government elections
- They take it as a sign their districts want consistency
- Local government expert says if people were engaged in local politics they'd stand for election.
Local body election papers are arriving in mailboxes around New Zealand, but for residents in two districts they won't include anything about a mayoral contest.
The mayors of Manawatū, in the lower North Island, and Hurunui, in North Canterbury, will be elected unopposed.
They see it as a sign of their districts seeking consistency, although one local government academic says it could actually signal apathy.
In Feilding, the heart of the Manawatū district, deputy mayor Michael Ford speaks to RNZ in the mayor's office, which in a few weeks will be his.
Michael Ford says he views the lack of a challengers for major as a sign of satisfaction with the direction of the council. Photo: RNZ/Jimmy Ellingham
Ford is taking over the mayoral chains from Helen Worboys, after nine years as her deputy.
He said the step up was an honour, albeit one none of the other 33,000 residents in the district wanted.
"I actually take it as a vote of confidence in the work of the current council, led very very ably by mayor Helen.
"We're a good team. We're very functional and I think our council's in a good place, and that combined with my background, what I offer, has probably led us to this point," he said.
"You could argue it's got great for democracy."
But, he said, although the district's Māori ward councillor would also be elected unopposed, there was a strong line-up of candidates in the two general wards.
"You can interpret it many ways, and I'm sure some would, but I'm going to interpret it that it's a vote of confidence," he said of the lack of challengers for the mayoral role.
"When we look at our council's performance, and I guess it's been highlighted through Three Waters and Local Water Done Well, we are in a very good position."
Big issues for the coming term included water - the council will take its services in-house - and potential rates capping, Ford said.
The council had told the government it wasn't opposed to caps, so long as certain costs or fees, such as for ones imposed by central government, were excluded.
On the streets of Feilding, there were mixed views about the lack of a mayoral contest.
Some residents said it was concerning for democracy and that residents should decide who their mayor should be.
Others though agreed with Ford that the council had done a good job.
"What we need right now is continuity to make sure that we keep things moving in the right direction. I think the electorate realises that and so nobody felt motivated to put themselves forward to contest the mayoralty," said one resident.
Call to demonstrate value of local government
In Hurunui, this is the second time Marie Black's been elected unopposed.
Marie Black will be elected unopposed for a second time as mayor of Hurunui. Photo: Supplied to RNZ
"Probably the recognition of going through unopposed is because we understand that we need some consistency as we work through a relatively intense time in regards to the water reform," she said.
Under that reform, Hurunui and its more than 13,000 residents will partner with neighbouring Kaikōura to create a joint council-controlled organisation.
In a large district, water was a dominant concern.
Black said increasing interest in council politics was critical, and there were ways to achieve this.
"I think its really important that we continue to demonstrate the value of local government and decision-making at a local level, and excite people about being part of that journey.
"I guess that's beholden to us."
'No evidence' lack of candidates aligns with satisfaction
Local government expert Dr Andy Asquith, an industry fellow at the University of Technology Sydney, said the idea people didn't stand because everyone was happy with a council's direction was nonsense
"There is no evidence anywhere that I'm aware of that shows if people don't stand and challenge that it's a sign of satisfaction.
"If anything, the argument goes, if people are engaged and interested then they will challenge."
Leadership on the issue of increasing turnout and interest was needed from central government, he said.
"We need local government to be talked up, for people to get a consistent message that local government is important and it's relevant.
"A key part of the election strategy is to give the Electoral Commission the power to run local government elections."
Presently, most local bodies used one of two private-sector companies to run their votes.
As well as the two mayoral victors, 220 other local body politicians from around New Zealand will soon take their seats unopposed.
