The five most sought-after jobs in local vote this week
The most sought-after jobs in local politics all involve big problems, but they don’t all come with the most pay.
An analysis of more than 3500 bids for more than 1600 positions shows mayoral and district health board positions are the most popular.
The Far North, Tauranga and Horowhenua have the most competitive council elections, followed by Rotorua, Hamilton and Whakata¯ne.
Seats on Greater Wellington Regional Council are easily the most sought-after regional roles. The “lasagna of failures” in Wellington’s bungled bus overhaul has attracted 3.5 candidates for every role.
Seats on Auckland local boards and Christchurch community boards are the most sought community positions. With an average of 2.3 candidates per seat, most candidates will miss out on a position.
1. Counties Manukau DHB member — 4.7 candidates per seat — Salary from $16,320
Counties Manukau District Health Board is grappling with a series of issues, ranging from its cancer treatment to maternity services.
Angela Belich, the acting executive director of the Association of Salaried Medical Specialists, said it is good to see people standing who want to protect and improve the public health service.
“The public health service is under unprecedented strain and Boards have a duty to advocate for adequate funding, safe staffing, decent facilities, and long-term strategic planning.”
2. Far North district councillor — 4.7 candidates per seat — Salary $51,370
Far North District Council has had a record number of nominations for ward council seats, including Sue Bradford and Jason Kerrison.
There’s also been record attendance at council debates.
But council chief executive Shaun Clarke said the district was still in danger of having the lowest voter turn-out of all time.
He has urged people voters to take 20 minutes to cast a vote.
“The Electoral Commission will be working with us to help all eligible voters to enrol and complete special votes. This is an easy process and is designed to ensure that anyone who wants to vote can do so.”
We need a council who can make decisions to relieve the worsening traffic and housing pressures. Matt Cowley, Tauranga Chamber of Commerce chief executive
3. Tauranga City councillor — 4.3 candidates per seat — Salary $78,050
Tauranga is the most competitive city council race, spurred by disagreement over the Bella Vista saga, the housing crisis, worsening congestion and the Mission Street land controversy.
Chamber of Commerce chief executive Matt Cowley said the city was growing quickly and candidates were divided between what Tauranga used to be, and what it aspired to be. “We need a council who can make decisions to relieve the worsening traffic and housing pressures.
“Too much time and council resources has recently been diverted to minor matters and away from the real issues.”
4. Mayors — 4.32 candidates per seat — Salary $53,500 to $296,000
Auckland has the most competitive mayoral race, as arguments rage about roads and rates. Twenty-one people have applied for the top job and others pulled out at late notice.
But when accounting for population it’s among the least popular roles. Only one in every 81,000 Aucklanders is standing for mayor, against one in 30,000 Christchurch residents and one in 9000 Dunedinites.
In the Kaikoura District, one in every 766 people is in the mayoral race.
In the close-knit Chatham Islands community one in every 59 people is standing in the election, and one in every 130 is standing for mayor.
5=. Southern and Auckland DHB members — 4 candidates per seat — Salary from $16,320
Southern DHB has been in the news regularly, particularly over the Lumsden maternity saga.
Auckland DHB has had a shortage of hospital beds and carparks.
Belich said elected boards are not a perfect system, but they give the voice of the public a way to be heard on major issues. “The election at Southern DHB is the first since the board was sacked in 2015 due to its financial deficit. It is therefore unsurprising this election has drawn a strong field of candidates.”