In fact, a political reporter from the parliamentary press gallery told me she deliberately decided not to vote. Related Content Political Roundup: Business as usual election results Political Roundup: Who's to blame for a record low voter turnout? Political Roundup: 20 unconventional local election candidatesWilliams comically suggests that the process isn't fit for purpose: "Time for my bombshell conspiracy theory: The local council doesn't want people to vote, and intentionally makes itself inaccessible and confusing to keep voter turnout low." Voter contentmentBut could it be that the low voter turnout is simply a reflection of general contentment with local government? For example in the Waimate District, "Mayor Craig Rowley said the low turnout did not necessarily reflect voter apathy" - see Daisy Hudson's Voter turnout plummets in Waimate, Timaru, rises in Mackenzie.

Source: New Zealand Herald October 11, 2016 04:41 UTC