Sign In / Register
Auckland Council has spent nearly $5000 refurbishing a Kombi van as part of a $147,000 campaign to encourage a higher voter turnout at this year’s Local Government election.
The brightly painted ‘Love Bus’ will tour Auckland to “support awareness and engage Aucklanders on how, when and why to vote”.
“The Kombi van is a classic symbol of adventure, discovery and fun, and embodies the new campaign, which is intended to get people thinking about and voting in the elections,” Council’s elections planning manager Glyn Walters says.
According to a media release, “the eye-catching love hearts on the van feature the word ‘Vote’, reminding people that voting is an important part of loving where we live”.
The campaign, which is targeting younger voters, includes an online Kids Voting project in schools, a voter website featuring more information about candidates, and more social media and community engagement activity than in 2013.
In 2013, Auckland had one of the lowest voter turnouts in NZ. Of eligible voters, only 35 per cent voted, compared with 51 per cent in 2010. And the number of candidates running for office dropped from 545 in 2010 to 470 in 2013.
In total, Council has budgeted to spend $7.37 million on election expenses.
