What kind of skills do we need in Local Government?

Voting in our local government elections can feel overwhelming- it’s hard to know who candidates are and what they stand for - and many seem to say the same thing in the candidate booklet that we receive with our voting papers.

Also, Auckland Council is a complex organisation- there are so many different parts, and it’s hard to get a handle on what our elected representatives actually do, and what skills they need to have. (You can read more about what the Mayor does, what our Councillors do, and what our local boards do over on the website.

When nominations opened, Auckland Council published a helpful article- “Skills and qualities you need to become an elected candidate”.

Here’s a summary of the qualities required:

·      Commitment

·      Honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi

·      The ability to communicate clearly

·      Strategic thinking and decision making

·      An understanding of how council works

·      Relationship building

·      Respectful engagement with those from different backgrounds

Decisions are made in Local Government through discussions, debate and consensus building. Issues are complex, there are lots of different competing views and priorities, and to get decisions across the line you need to be prepared to work with those who think differently from you.

When considering who to vote for ask if your candidates are prepared to:

·      Put in the necessary time

·      Engage with many different groups and individuals and listen to what they have to say

·      Look at issues from a strategic perspective, not just looking at quick fixes

·      Work constructively with people who have different views to find solutions that work for everyone

If they are someone who alienates themselves in an environment where collaboration and compromise are key qualities, perhaps they won’t be able to achieve what they set out to achieve. In which case your vote is a wasted one, as you won’t be adequately represented.

In today’s world, we often think our leaders need to be extroverted people out the front, sounding like they alone have the solution to our problems. But for the kind of work that happens in local government skills like relationship building, willingness to listen to other points of view while clearly articulating your own position, and a genuine dedication to serving all are what gets the best outcome.

I’ve been asking myself the question, what kind of leadership do we need right now. When I consider who to vote for in September, I’m going to be looking for people who seek a strategic oversight of issues over quick fixes, who are respectful and are willing to engage with all of their constituents, and can work constructively with others to get the mahi done.

Hannah Slade