Urgent calls for change as local election turnout falls

Monday 13 October 2025 · 6 outlets · 4 reports · updated Mon 13 Oct 2025, 10:11am

In this story Christopher Luxon, Local Government New Zealand, Sam Broughton

Voter turnout for the local elections was just over 32 percent, marking a decrease from 2022. Local Government New Zealand says urgent changes are needed, while Prime Minister Christopher Luxon attributed the low participation to voters and the nature of candidates.

How they headlined it

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1. The PostMon 13 Oct 2025, 5:00am

   Local government’s SOS: We need the orange man and his dog to improve dire turnout (opens in new tab)

   Also on The Press (opens in new tab), Waikato Times (opens in new tab)

2. RNZMon 13 Oct 2025, 8:06am

   Calls for urgent changes as local election turnout tumbles (opens in new tab)

3. StuffMon 13 Oct 2025, 8:40am

   PM points to voters and candidates for dismal local election turnout (opens in new tab)

4. Otago Daily TimesMon 13 Oct 2025, 10:11am

   Calls for change as local election voter turnout falls (opens in new tab)