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At the age of 18, Caitlin Watson voted for the first time, while also standing as a candidate for the Hibiscus & Bays Local Board.
It appears that she may be the second youngest person elected to Auckland local body politics, at least in recent times – Joseph Bergin was three months younger and still at Rosmini College when he was elected to the Devonport Takapuna Local Board in 2010.
Caitlin says being a teenager means she has a lot to offer young people, who make up a huge chunk of the Coast’s population. “Decisions that we make affect young people too and this is the community that we’ll be inheriting,” she says.
The BA student, who says majoring in politics could be on the table, says that transport is a key issue for young people – something she knows first hand after commuting to university by ferry, bus or by carpooling. She says that on the campaign trail voters made it clear they want her to push for weekend ferry services.
She would like to engage youth more about the political system. “Education is one reason why we have we have such a low turnout for local body elections. A lot of people don’t know much about it and I hope to address that at grass roots level, such as speaking to schools.”
She says having the option of online voting would have made a difference in getting more youth involved.
There are plenty of political discussions around the Watson family’s dinner table – Caitlin’s father is Albany Ward Councillor John Watson and her sister, Lovisa Rasmussen, served last term on the Hibiscus & Bays Local Board and left to have a baby. Her twin brother Shaun is also doing politics as part of his degree.
“Dad was reluctant to see me stand for the Local Board, but it’s something I’ve wanted to do for some time.”
“I’ve got a lot to learn and I have great people around me to help with that,” Caitlin says. “There can be low expectations of young people but I want to push myself out of my comfort zone.”
Locals high on turnout statistics
Local areas were among the highest in Auckland for voter turnout.
The Rodney Local Board (Warkworth subdivision) area had the highest voter turnout in mainland Auckland – 53.1 percent (only Great Barrier and Waiheke Island’s figures were higher at 58.6 and 69.6 percent respectively).
Turnout recorded for the Hibiscus & Bays Local Board (Hibiscus subdivision) area was 45.2 percent – the third highest in mainland Auckland (Orakei came in second with 47.6 percent).
Overall voter turnout in Auckland was 38.25 percent and could rise to 38.5 percent once special votes are added. That is slightly up on last election’s 35.5 percent tally, but still well down on the 51 percent recorded in 2010 when the councils amalgamated.
Nationwide, voter turnout was 41.8 percent, marginally above the 2013 figure of 41.3 percent.
