As we stare down another election this month, Paula Southgate warns that constant criticism and bad behaviour are undermining local government.
Councils are under siege from all sides. From Central Government to lobby groups, social media channels to elected members themselves, criticism is raining down, and it’s eroding the reputation and credibility of local councils. This wave of discontent isn’t just weakening them. it’s undermining the foundation of local democracy.
It’s getting harder to serve in local government. This is not about increasing workload alone, but it’s the abuse that cuts the deepest. Forty-three per cent of elected officials report harassment or threats. That number is very troubling! The vitriol has evolved – more vicious, more targeted, and alarmingly normalised, especially on social media.
The behaviour of some elected members reflects a disturbing decline in standards. Is it acceptable to hurl profanities at colleagues or staff, peddle misinformation, or publicly malign others? I say no. Yet unprofessional and at time aggressive behaviour is often ‘tolerated’ because weak codes of conduct often have no teeth, and the process of investigation is costly and cumbersome.
That’s why I’ve pushed for a single, nationwide code of conduct through Local Government New Zealand, anchored by independent oversight. This is no different to other professions; think legal, accounting, medical, journalism. All of these have independent conduct assessments against rigorous professional standards. Central Government’s Privileges Committee, and the Speaker of the House have more power to censure than any council or existing code of conduct.
This isn’t about censorship. It’s about fairness, consistency, and reinforcing respect. It is about professionalism that we can all rely on.
Repeatedly, I’ve urged colleagues to tackle the issue, not the individual, and to not just think about the content of the debate but the way the debate is approached.
Let me be clear, I welcome strong debate. In fact, we need it. Disagreement fuels progress. But let’s not mistake aggression as passion. Good arguments don’t require threats or personal attacks to prevail. That standard should apply everywhere, from council chambers to online forums.
Sadly, some public behaviour goes far beyond harsh words. We’ve seen a former mayor targeted in a home invasion. Explicit threats of violence. Fake AI generated images designed to humiliate and discredit. This isn’t fiction or far-flung foreign drama, it’s happening here, mirroring unwanted international trends. A Local Government Association (LGA) survey in the UK in 2022 found that seven out of 10 councillors had experienced abuse or intimidation and one in ten had been assaulted or stalked.
This isn’t just about politics. It’s about people, communities and democracy. When abuse becomes normalised, good people may stop putting their hands up. Talented and valid voices could fall silent, fearful of retribution. That would be a profound loss for local governance.
Make no mistake, I believe in democracy. Fiercely. Including local democracy. The right to vote is precious. But we need to take it seriously. Our voter turnout is embarrassingly low. In 2019 the lowest was 38 per cent and the highest 48 per cent. Not even half the eligible voters voted. That must change.
Local Government is worth defending. But we can’t do it alone. And we need respectful debate, better conduct and increased civic engagement. These aren’t lofty ideals; they’re the foundation for a stronger democracy. Let’s raise the standard together. Yes, some criticism we are facing may be valid but tearing down the very institutions tasked with serving communities helps no one. Most elected members stand in order to achieve good things for their community, and they deserve respect and support to do that well.
We also need central government alongside us, enabling us – and less of the blunt takedowns. We must follow the laws and directives that governments create, and we serve the same people. Let’s work together to get the work done.
Local government and central government are both hamstrung by the short, three years election cycles. Big challenges like infrastructure, climate resilience, and urban growth demand long-term vision, not three-year bursts of progress, nor the constant churn of changing requirements.
It takes months for new councillors to get up to speed, and just as momentum builds the next campaign is already on the horizon. The current model of local government clearly needs review. That is a whole new topic!
However, with the 2025 elections this month, it’s time to ask ourselves: what conduct do we expect from those who seek public office? Of our communities?
What behaviour strengthens us all, builds a stronger future for local government and what slowly kills it?