Luxon calls for reform of local elections

National leader Christopher Luxon has joined calls for urgent reform of the voting system in local elections.

Luxon said today that changes are needed to address low voter turnout.

His call echoes that of the local government association, which represents parliament, calling for a “short, sharp, and independent” review of the voting system.

Final numbers are still being tallied, but the preliminary ballot totals show just over a third of voters cast their votes.

Laxson told reporters that those who voted sent a message to the Labor government by supporting far-right candidates like Auckland’s new mayor Wayne Brown.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said last night in a statement congratulating the day’s winners, local elections needed to make voting easier.

“We also want to work with local governments on how to make voting more accessible. More participation in elections is good for democracy!”

New Zealand Local Authority Chief Executive Susan Freeman Green said she wants to work with the government to review how elections are handled.

She said practical steps are needed to make voting more accessible.

The association’s analysis shows turnout in major cities fell just over 1% in the election, while turnout in rural areas fell 7% to 45%.