Why should you vote in the local body elections?
Why should you vote in the local body elections? Based on the low voter turnouts most people don’t care much about local government elections but these elections have more to do with people’s everyday lives than central government elections. They cover our footpaths, local roads and parks which you interact with more on a daily basis.
I can understand peoples lack of interest. It is time consuming to find out information on candidates and some people find the complexity of all the roles and votes too much. It’s not like central government where information is in the news daily. Due to these difficulties, most voters resort to voting based on the political “colours’ they know, old names they recognize or not voting at all.
Hopefully people take the time to find out about the candidates, where they live, how long they have lived there and what they actually stand for.
Good sites to check out about candidates are their Facebook pages or:
www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz...
Or
policy.nz...
This website covers understanding how council works :
www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz...
Voting is open until Saturday October 8th midday. Free postal votes need to be sent by next Monday October 3rd or you can drop them off at dropped off at libraries, some train stations, Countdown supermarkets or council service centres. If you haven’t received your voting papers you can call 0800 367656.
Harbour Bridge lane closure - protests
The Treaty Principles Bill was introduced to parliament last week and could have ramifications on the partnership between the Crown and Māori.
Hīkoi mō te Tiriti (March for the Treaty of Waitangi) set off from Cape Rēinga on Monday morning and is expected to reach Wellington next Tuesday. It has now passed through Kaitaia, Kawakawa, Whangārei, Dargaville and is passing through Auckland on Wednesday.
What you need to know today:
- The hīkoi is due to cross the Auckland Harbour Bridge about 9.30am on Wednesday. Two northbound lanes will be closed at some point before the crossing, and remain closed during it.
- NZTA shared at 8:50am Wednesday:
'Curran St northbound on-ramp will be closed shortly, with two northbound lanes on the Harbour Bridge expected to close from approx 9.30am this morning. Allow extra time for likely delays through this area.'
- The hīkoi is expected to go across the Harbour Bridge, in a controlled fashion before marching through parts of the CBD towards Okahu Bay.
- Auckland commuters should expect traffic disruption in vicinity of both sides of the Harbour Bridge.
Stuff reporter Steve Kilgallon was at Stafford Park on the north side of the Harbour Bridge at 8.30am Wednesday and shared:
"I just walked through Stafford Park, where there’s about 400-500 people quietly assembled and more arriving; and about 20 police standing over near the motorway off ramp. Lot of Tino Rangatira flags in evidence, local streets very busy with parked cars."
Police have shared that they will respond accordingly to any issues that may arise along the route.
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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85.1% Yes
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13.4% No
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1.5% Other - I'll share below
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