Local Elections 2022

(Image: Archi Banal)

Just how big was the ‘change’ vote, and how many mayors hate Three Waters?

There are 66 mayors. Here's what they reckon.

By Toby Manhire | 12th October, 2022

Editor-at-large

All ballots need to be received by noon on October 8 to be counted. (Image: Toby Morris & Tina Tiller)

A 10-step plan to reverse the ‘absolute shambles’ of collapsing local turnout

Under 40% voting is a shocker. What can be done?

By Toby Manhire | 10th October, 2022

Editor-at-large

Wayne Brown flashes a winner’s grin as Efeso Collins mulls his future

Wayne Brown flashes a winner’s grin as Efeso Collins mulls his future

While the 'fixer' poured bubbles in Ponsonby on the back of a thumping victory, the mood was determinedly upbeat in Ōtara, where gin-and-tonics were on the menu.

By Toby Manhire | 9th October, 2022

Editor-at-large

It’s about more than gender neutral toilets. (Illustration: Getty Images, Image Design: Archi Banal)

What it’s like to be a queer person in local politics

We’ve got lots of queer people in parliament, but what about local body politics?

By Sam Brooks | 7th October, 2022

Contributing writer

Labour-fied collins signs in Cox’s Bay, Auckland. (Photo: Toby Manhire)

The curious case of the Labour logos stuck to Efeso Collins’ hoardings

'We believe it’s an attack tactic.'

By Toby Manhire | 7th October, 2022

Editor-at-large

(Photo: Getty Images / The Spinoff)

Race briefing: Can the country’s youngest mayor make it two for two?

Incumbent Campbell Barry faces off against two newcomers in the Hutt City race.

By Stewart Sowman-Lund | 5th October, 2022

The Bulletin editor

Looks like Lorde dodged prison this time. (Image design: Archi Banal)

Don’t do what Lorde did – even though it’s perfectly legal

By all means tell people who you voted for – just don't show proof.

By Graeme Edgeler | 5th October, 2022

Does high water mean a deluge of votes for Environment Canterbury candidates? (Image: Getty/Archi Banal)

Environment Canterbury and the coming floods

Environment Canterbury candidates say flood management is an urgent problem – and no solution, including managed retreat, is off the table.

By Shanti Mathias | 5th October, 2022

Contributing writer

Te Awa Tupua o Whanganui is a taonga to local hapū and iwi (Image: Getty Images; additional design: Reweti Kohere)

Race briefing: Can Whanganui carry on thriving?

Once labelled a 'zombie town', Whanganui is thriving. But can it stay that way?

By Reweti Kohere | 4th October, 2022

A slice of Tāmaki Makaurau. Photo: Planet Observer/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

A staggeringly simple guide to voting for Auckland Council

The mayor is important, but they can’t do too much without a quality group at the table.

By Toby Manhire | 4th October, 2022

Editor-at-large

Race briefing: Seas of change in the Far North

Race briefing: Seas of change in the Far North

An abundance of candidates, an entirely new ward, a whole new voting system: the Far North's election race is far from boring.

By Charlotte Muru-Lanning | 4th October, 2022

Contributing writer

Who is … the third mayor? Efeso Collins and Wayne Brown

The state of play as Auckland’s mayoral marathon enters its final sprint

How the candidates and the early voting numbers look with a few days to go.

By Toby Manhire | 4th October, 2022

Editor-at-large

Rage, rage against the settled science. Image: Tina Tiller

How many local election candidates are still on the climate change denial bandwagon?

If you thought the days of would-be politicians claiming climate change is a scam or a hoax might be over, we have some bad news.

By Heidi Bendikson | 4th October, 2022

How beautiful it is: Te Papa-i-Oea, jewel of the Manawatū.

Race briefing: Can Palmerston North’s incumbent mayor claim a third landslide?

His opponents include an anti-vax teacher and a fantasist with a criminal conviction for assaulting a child.

By Kat Tokareva | 3rd October, 2022

Alex Hewison and Russell Read

From gen-silent to zoomer: views from the youngest and oldest local board candidates

Sixty-seven years separate them, but they have a thing or two in common.

By Heidi Bendikson | 3rd October, 2022

Tairāwhiti is the first place in Aotearoa to see the sunrise (Photo: Getty Images; additional design: Reweti Kohere)

Race briefing: The sun rises on a new-look Gisborne District Council

New-look team, same old climate problems.

By Reweti Kohere | 2nd October, 2022