The Local Government Minister has intervened with unelected people voting on council decisions.
The Local Government Minister, Simon Watts, has intervened where Councils have introduced unelected people having voting rights with council decisions.
From a quote on Stuff:
“Councils and the public nationwide have raised concerns about individuals holding voting rights on council committees, undermining decision-making and diluting the influence of democratically elected members,” Local Government Minister Simon Watts said in a statement announcing the change.
We’ve seen examples in the Far North, in Tauranga and in Hastings where individuals, such as iwi representatives and young people aged under 18, have been appointed to council committees and given voting rights without being elected by the community.”
“That’s not democratic, so we’re fixing it.”
Read the full article on Stuff here:
Posted: Fri 05 Jun 2026