Auckland local elections candidates are confirmed, and voting opens on Tuesday 9 September – but what do we know about these candidates?
More is more
The best news about these elections so far is that Aucklanders have more to choose from, with a record number of candidates nominated since 2013.
Governance and Engagement General Manager for Auckland Council, Lou-Ann Ballantyne is pleased to see more options for voters.
“I’m excited to see more people standing in these elections because it shows more people are willing to take action and be a voice for their communities,” says Ms Ballantyne.
“To see this many Aucklanders stepping up to help our communities thrive and actively participate in effective local government is a fantastic result.”
Out of 477 candidates standing for 172 positions, there’s about two to three people to choose from for most positions.
Why so many positions and candidates?
Auckland’s 13 wards are represented by 20 ward councillors. The councillors and the mayor together form Auckland Council’s Governing Body, which sets Auckland’s vision and makes regional decisions that affect the future of Tāmaki Makaurau.
Individual parts of Tāmaki Makaurau are led at community level by 21 local boards, each represented by five to 11 board members. They oversee local decisions which impact Aucklanders’ daily lives.
This year, more candidates are standing for ward councillor positions, with 80 in total compared to 62 in 2022, while 12 mayoral candidates are standing compared to 23 in 2022; and 369 local board candidates – which is nine less than in 2022.
Some candidates are so keen to represent their community that they’re multi-tasking. Thirty-nine candidates are standing for more than one position. Some are standing for all three – for mayoral, councillor and local board roles.
And if you didn’t get to know your representatives this term, you might get another chance – 130 of the 477 candidates are making a comeback to be re-elected.
More young fun
A demographic survey completed by 385 of 477 election candidates indicates that this time fewer candidates aged 65+ years are standing, with six percent less than in 2022. Meanwhile, most other age groups have seen a slight increase: 18-24 year olds have increased from three per cent to four percent; the 45-54 year group is up from 21 to 22 percent and a quarter of candidates are 55-64 years, up from 22 percent.
Diving deeper into diversity
As one of the world’s most diverse cities, representation is important to Aucklanders.
“Prospective voters have said they are more likely to participate if they can identify with candidates. It’s also worth noting that a variety of perspectives from different backgrounds is key to good decision-making,” explains Ms Ballantyne.
For the first time since 2016 the number of Asian candidates has risen above other minority groups by seven percent.
Out of the 385 candidates who responded to the demographic survey, 16 percent identified as Asian, which is still considerably lower than Auckland’s Asian population of 31 percent, according to Census 2023 data.
A further breakdown of Asian candidates’ ethnicities indicates:
- 46% Indian
- 39% Chinese
- 7% Fijian Indian
- 3% Eurasian, with one European parent and one Asian parent
- 2% Laotian
- 2% Malaysian.
Fifty-one respondents (13 percent) identify as Pasifika, of which:
- 53% Samoan
- 23% Tongan
- 8% Cook Island
- 8% Niue
- 4% Fijian
- 4% Kiribati
- 4% Tuvaluan.
This year, the New Zealand European candidates rate has dropped to its lowest at 67 percent, while Middle Eastern, Latin American and African candidate numbers have reduced from nine percent to seven. There is less Pasifika representation at 13 percent, down from 15 percent in 2022, and Māori candidates remain at 16 percent, the same as the last election.
“We hope this spread of ethnic representation will encourage more voters from different backgrounds, who may not usually vote, to be involved as they too get to choose who represents them in Auckland’s decisions,” says Ms Ballantyne.
Where are all the women?
The number of female candidates continues to trend downwards and is at its lowest since 2016. The proportion of women standing in this election is 36 percent compared to 2022 elections’ 40 percent.
A shoo-in for Ōrākei and Rodney
Since only one candidate has put up their hand to stand in each of these wards, electors in those areas won’t have to select a ward councillor. Without any contest, these candidates have essentially already won.
So, for the 68,000 in Ōrākei and Rodney’s 56,000 registered voters, that’s one less tick to complete. They still can vote for mayor and local board members.
Now what?
Find out more about these candidates at Vote Auckland so you can have a say in who represents you and your community.
Voting closes at midday on Saturday 11 October – don’t miss out or let someone else choose for you.
If you don’t receive your voting papers between 9-22 September, check out Vote Auckland to track down a special vote or a Vote-on-the-Go event where you can enrol and vote on the spot at a range of locations across the region.
