Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson on Leadership, Local Government, and Auckland’s Future

In this episode, we sit down with Deputy Mayor of Auckland Desley Simpson to unpack the realities of local government, leadership during crisis, and why local politics deserves far more attention especially from young people.A key theme throughout the conversation is the disconnect between people and local government. While councils shape everyday life from transport to infrastructure many voters remain disengaged. Simpson shares her thoughts on why voter turnout in local body elections is so low, and what needs to change to make people genuinely care about participating. We also dive into leadership under pressure. Auckland has faced multiple crises in recent years, and Desley reflects  on what it takes to step up and lead in these situations. Throughout the episode, she shares how the role has reshaped her own perspectives, offering insights into the realities of governance that many people don’t see.We also look a what motivated her to step into local government and explore the political philosophy that shapes her decision-making and leadership style.Finally, we look ahead: with growing skepticism toward government at all levels, what does the future of local government look like and how can it rebuild trust? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.