Key points
This indicator measures the proportion of all enrolled electors (both resident and ratepayer) who cast a vote in the most recent local body elections, and the proportion of persons aged 18 or over usually resident in General electorates (voting-age population) who cast a vote in General electorates in the most recent general election. Voter turnout rates are a measure of political participation. They can be seen as an indicator of the extent to which citizens are a part of the political process, and the confidence the population has in, and the importance they attach to, political institutions.
Voter turnout in local authority elections peaked in 1989 and then steadily declined, with the exception of the 1998 elections, dropping to 44% in 2007 (a level comparable with pre-1989 election turnout). However, there was an increase in voter turnout for the most recent 2010 local authority elections. Local authority voter turnout tends to be generally higher for councils with a smaller constituency. Voter turnout for national general elections has also been declining in the long-term, reaching a low in 2002 for New Zealand overall, rebounding for the 2005 and 2008 elections and then reaching a new record low in 2011. Only 68% of those eligible to cast a ballot actually did so.
Voter turnout in local authority councillor elections – Waikato Region territorial authorities
|
Territorial authority |
1989 |
1992 |
1995 |
1998 |
2001 |
2004 |
2007 |
2010 |
|
Franklin District |
59% |
54% |
47% |
49% |
49% |
46% |
35% |
n/a |
|
Thames-Coromandel District |
83% |
68% |
62% |
82% |
61% |
56% |
53% |
61% |
|
Hauraki District |
65% |
59% |
59% |
64% |
63% |
53% |
49% |
43% |
|
Waikato District |
61% |
53% |
54% |
52% |
51% |
42% |
35% |
34% |
|
Matamata-Piako District |
65% |
51% |
54% |
61% |
52% |
42% |
42% |
42% |
|
Hamilton City |
58% |
52% |
50% |
54% |
47% |
45% |
35% |
38% |
|
Waipa District |
57% |
49% |
53% |
49% |
50% |
42% |
34% |
42% |
|
Otorohanga District |
69% |
56% |
71% |
62% |
51% |
55% |
40% |
36% |
|
South Waikato District |
67% |
45% |
43% |
54% |
44% |
41% |
39% |
39% |
|
Waitomo District |
62% |
54% |
65% |
65% |
61% |
56% |
40% |
49% |
|
Taupo District |
70% |
62% |
61% |
62% |
60% |
53% |
50% |
55% |
|
Rotorua District |
60% |
60% |
52% |
54% |
49% |
49% |
44% |
43% |
|
New Zealand |
56% |
51% |
51% |
53% |
47% |
46% |
44% |
49% |
|
Waikato Region* |
57% |
54% |
53% |
57% |
49% |
45% |
37% |
42% |
Source: Department of Internal Affairs
What agencies are doing
Information currently being collated.
What you can do to help
Information currently being collated.
More information
More detail on this indicator, including how and where this information is collected, is available here.
What we want to achieve
The community outcomes we are seeking to achieve by increasing voter turn-out are:
- All our people and communities can participate in decision-making. We are educated, informed and have the resources we need to take responsibility for our own futures.
- Iwi, hapu and Maori work together with central government, local government and community organisations in mutually beneficial partnerships.
- Our communities understand partnerships under the Treaty of Waitangi and representation and processes for these partnerships have integrity.
- The unique status of tangata whenua is respected and reflected in community processes.
- Maori have the opportunity to participate in community development and decision-making at marae, hapu and iwi levels.