UnitedFuture is urging ALL New Zealand women to get more involved in this year’s local body elections.What do think YOU can offer your local community trust, health board, community board or council.
Many of you have the right skills, experience and attributes for these roles, but may not know it. Equally, every day, there are women around New Zealand working to make a positive impact on the lives of New Zealanders. We are keen to ensure that women gain the recognition they deserve
Women are consistently underrepresented in leading local government roles. Statistics New Zealand figures show that approximately a third of local council representatives are women. This year YOU have an opportunity to change that and contribute to the diversity of local body decision makers with increased female representation.
New Zealand was the first country in the world to give women the right to vote and the first within the British Empire to elect a female mayor with Elizabeth Yates voted in as mayor of Onehunga in 1893. The peak year for women’s representation on city, district and regional councils was 1998, when 31 per cent of councillors and 25 per cent of mayors were women.
UnitedFuture actively promotes women not because of their gender, but by the content of their character and the deeds to which they enact.Your Deputy Leader Judy Turner in 2008 was a MP, is now the Deputy Mayor of Whakatane District Council, and IS all woman!
We know that more women are gaining tertiary qualifications and working in high growth sectors. This year presents female New Zealanders with the opportunity to use Your skills, experience and judgement to help deliver better outcomes for our communities.”
You need two nominations to stand for election and must be a New Zealand citizen, enrolled on the parliamentary electoral roll. Take a look at yourself, take a look at the women you know around you with the capacity and capability to successfully represent our communities. We encourage you and your fellow woman to consider standing for election. We all have a role to play in making opportunities for women more visible.
If you want to stand or are considering doing so, drop us a line or send us a message on:
@unitedfuturenz
facebook.com/unitedfuturenz
