Roman Travers: Voting in local elections ensures the right people get the jobs

Tomorrow is your absolute last chance to have your say in who will represent you in your town or city for the next three years. I’m not surprised that the vast majority of us have still yet to vote. Perhaps it’s more a case that the vast majority of us have decided not to bother voting as is the New Zealand tradition.  There’s a great deal to be concerned about and invested in when it comes to what happens with your local council. So why not have your say? Sometimes the quantity of key issues can be completely overwhelming, so perhaps the easiest thing to do is to simply focus on the one or two issues that really grind your gears and go from there. Whether it’s cycle paths or the Three Waters proposal or the issue of co-governance that heightens your enthusiasm, there’s no point in having a strong opinion or feeling about something if you’re not prepared to put that into action with your vote. Have a quick look through the booklet that came with your voting form and perhaps initially focus on those standing for re-election.  It might be easiest to eliminate those who haven’t stood by the mandate they were given when they were initially elected and then look at fresher faces to see what they promise.  I’m really unsure what makes the difference between the big centres but Christchurch is really fanning the flames of enthusiasm compared to Wellington whose turn out is a bit of a fizzle so far.  Is that simply a reflection of the critical issues affecting your town? Or is it more a reflection of the vast majority of unknown‘s standing for election? I guess you’ve got to start somewhere and some of these people will have the absolute integrity and determination you read about in that brochure. So well done to all of those who raise their hand and put themselves forward for three years of castigation and relentless often gruelling, confrontational questioning through public meetings.  It’s not exactly a thankless job but it certainly isn’t for the faint hearted.  You and I are simply tasked with making sure the right people get those jobs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.