Campaigning for our communities at this year’s local elections

We want a better deal for our members working in local government, and we want all of us to have thriving local communities. It aligns with our long-term goals, our values, and our kaupapa.

ADVOCATING FOR VALUED, PUBLICLY OWNED SERVICES

Our campaign supports policies that allow local government to foster community and act with the community’s interests at heart. This includes keeping services and assets in local control, so councils can make pragmatic, considered decisions, and plan for future generations.

We’re also supporting living wage for council workers and pay equity for library workers – policies to ensure people working in local government are properly valued and respected.

SUPPORTING MĀORI WARDS TO LOOK AFTER PEOPLE AND OUR PLANET

This year, 42 councils will be voting on whether to keep their Māori ward. We support Māori wards and are joining communities around the motu that are campaigning to keep them. Māori wards are a positive solution to division and diversion, a way for councils to become a better reflection of our communities, and a way to help harness our collective strength.

Recently we’ve opposed the Treaty Principles and Regulatory Standards bills, and supported Hīkoi Mō Te Tiriti. Supporting Māori wards is an extension of this kaupapa.

YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR COMMUNITY

With 66 local councils and 11 regional councils holding elections, alongside the 42 Māori ward referenda, local groups organising in their rohe will be key to this campaign.

You know your communities – what’s going on locally and what the big issues are. By coming together with other PSA members and allies in your area, you can organise around local issues to have a real impact on your local election.

Visit psa.org.nz/local2025 for more information about how you can get involved and the resources and support available. And keep an eye on our social media channels for content promoting the importance of valued, publicly owned services and Māori wards.

The PSA is over 96,000 people living, paying rates and voting all over the country, including over 12,000 people working in local government. It’s in all our interests to vote for councils that can make better, long-term decisions that benefit ourselves, our whānau, and our communities.