Local Government in Aotearoa/New Zealand is fairly opaque. The level of powers devolved to local bodies is less significant than in much of the world, but is nonetheless broader than often understood. Participation in elections, not only in voter turn out but even in the number of candidates who run is regularly minimal.
Nonetheless left wing independents do contest and win seats on platforms that are (broadly speaking) pro-worker, in favour of environmental protection, encouraging of participatory democracy, and protective of public goods and services. In this panel we invited local councillors, Celeste Donovan (CCC) and Genevienve Robinson (ECAN), Melanie Coker (CCC) and Sara Templeton (CCC) in conversation with CSS member Tom Roud to discuss the limits, opportunities, challenges, and general experiences of holding office in local government.
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