Tararua’s Above Average Voting Leaves No Room For Complacency

As the dust settles on the 2007 local body election results a frenzy of speculation has erupted regarding low voter turnout and the possible causes.


The national average was approximately 43-44%, with Tararua’s own district result slightly higher at 47.4%.


Theories Abound.


Is the low polling just straight out voter apathy and if so, why?


There is talk of a government inquiry into low voter participation and ways of generating greater interest.


Is there a sense that local authorities are in the grip of bureaucrats and that elected representatives are powerless to implement change?


Postal voting has been blamed. Some suggest that the three weeks leeway is too long and that people are liable to lose their papers before they’ve voted.


Electronic voting has been suggested as a speedier and more efficient system but could pose problems for those lacking technology skills.


Or should the country take a lurch into a long distant past and opt once again for the ballot box?


Others suggest that a lack of issues in their local authority will keep voters at home.


Maybe personalities have a bearing. Wanganui with Michael Laws returned 63.3%, the country’s top polling turnout, while Southland and Tim Shadbolt also polled above average albeit it at a much lower 47.83%.


It’s true that a change of candidates brings out the voters; this was proved in neighbouring Central Hawke’s Bay where four first time mayoral candidates and a choice of ward candidates resulted in a well above average of 57.7%.


Central Hawke’s Bay also bucked the trend of consistently dropping averages from the 2004 elections by showing a better result this time than its previous 54%.







Meanwhile what can Tararua learn from its own result?


Whilst its voter returns were slightly above the national average this leaves no room for complacency and chief executive Roger Twentyman is keen to canvass opinion on what the council can do better to engage its voters next time round.


Is there a lack of controversy to stir voters, although the Dannevirke High St Refurbishment has created some diverse opinion throughout the district.


Has the council itself been lacking by providing insufficient pre election publicity?


Is it not “colourful” or interesting enough to attract voters or is the council deemed to be doing such a good job that the district is complacent?


Voters cannot be determined by age so there are no statistics to indicate if certain age bands do, or do not participate.


However there is one point to make.


For a country that takes pride in its voting tradition, whose ancestors fought for democracy in two World Wars, and whose suffragettes paved the way for Women’s Rights, today’s New Zealanders are demonstrating a collective lack of responsibility.


Money talks. So is it time to adopt some punitive tactics and fine those who don’t take up their democratic right?


Perhaps that would cure voter apathy.



Ends.