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Nominations have closed for local body elections and it’s more important than ever that Hibiscus Coast residents vote in the upcoming elections.
The last day to enrol to vote was Friday, August 10, but if you believe you are enrolled, you can still check your details at vote.nz to ensure they are correct or if you haven’t received your enrolment pack.
Although Council decisions impact many aspects of our daily lives, less than two out of five Aucklanders voted in the 2022 local body elections, according to official Auckland Council results, with just 35.4 percent of eligible voters returning their ballots, one of the lowest local election turnouts in the country.
In the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board area, the turnout was slightly higher but still left many voices out. According to the official 2022 election results, 42.5 percent of eligible voters in the Hibiscus Coast subdivision cast a vote. However, that means more than half the eligible voting population had no say in decisions affecting their community.
Many issues affecting the Hibiscus Coast are shaped by the decisions of Auckland Council, the Hibiscus and Bays Local Board, and Auckland Transport – not central government. The people elected to those bodies help decide what gets built, what gets funded, and what gets prioritised.
Key issues facing the Hibiscus Coast
Transport and congestion
Auckland Transport, which is overseen by Auckland Council, manages local roads, public transport, and safety upgrades. Decisions on road improvements, new bus routes, and major projects like Penlink fall under its umbrella. Local board members also play a role by advocating for upgrades and safety projects.
If you’re concerned about traffic delays, poor public transport options, or road safety around schools and town centres, voting is the best way to help shape future transport investment.
Housing and development
The Hibiscus Coast is one of Auckland’s fastest-growing areas. Council makes decisions about zoning, land use, and infrastructure planning through its Unitary Plan. The local board contributes to town centre planning and works with council staff on development issues.
Voters have the power to choose candidates who support well-managed growth, protect green spaces, and ensure that new housing comes with adequate infrastructure like roads, water supply, and stormwater systems.
Environment and water quality
Council agencies are responsible for managing wastewater, stormwater, and environmental restoration. Poor stormwater systems can lead to beach pollution after heavy rain, while decisions around tree planting, pest control, and erosion management also sit with council and local boards.
Clean beaches, healthy streams, and protected reserves depend on long-term environmental planning and investment. That planning is shaped by those we elect.
Community Facilities and Local Services
The local board makes decisions on parks, libraries, sports fields, community halls, and local events. They also advocate for upgrades and new facilities. Council, in turn, sets the budget and allocates funding.
Projects like playground upgrades, new footpaths, better public toilets, and extended library hours often come down to the priorities of elected representatives.
Rates and spending
Council sets the rates and decides how they’re spent across the city. Local boards influence how funding is used in their areas. If you care about keeping rates fair or ensuring more investment comes to the Coast, that’s decided at the local level. The latest council capital valuations have just been released with residents complaining of wide variations in rates levied across the coast.
In local elections, small numbers make a big difference. When turnout is low, even a handful of votes can change the outcome. Voting gives residents a direct say in how their community is shaped over the next three years.
Ballot papers are delivered by post, and voting is open for three weeks in the lead-up to election day. If you don’t receive your papers, you can contact the Electoral Office for a replacement or vote in person at a local centre.
