Image: Councillor Angela Dalton and her bike.
Local elections are coming soon, but many of us are confused – why do I need to vote for Local Board Representatives AND Councillors – what’s the difference in what they can do? To clear up the muddle, Bike Auckland spoke to outgoing Councillor Angela Dalton. Angela represented communities in Manurewa first as a Local Board Representative and she later became a Councillor – meaning she is ideally placed to tell us all about both!
Representation is key
Local government decisions shape the communities we live in, influencing everything from cycling infrastructure to speed limits and community resources like bike hubs. Yet, voter turnout for local elections remains dismally low, leaving critical choices in the hands of a small portion of the population.
“The only way change happens is when people vote,” says Angela. “We see a voter turnout of less than 30% in Local Government elections which means we get the same faces and the same policies.”
Make sure your vote counts in 2025: check that you are enrolled to vote now.
If you want a future that reflects your aspirations for your neighborhood, understanding how local boards work—and why your vote matters—is crucial.
“We need everyone represented if Auckland wants to achieve its vision of being an inclusive, modern, city built for future generations,” continues Angela.
What Do Local Boards and Councillors Actually Do?
“The Local Board role is focused on delivering local outcomes for local communities,” explains Angela. “It’s a very rewarding role in terms of the having the agility to respond effectively to community needs.
“Councillors are regional decisions makers for policy, budgets, regional grants and regional infrastructure,” she continues. “Although they may bring their local experiences and advocacy to the table the decisions made should be for the regional outcomes for Auckland.”
Local Boards are agile frontline decision-makers for local community needs. Councillors, on the other hand, make decisions at a regional level, shaping policy, budgets, grants, and infrastructure that impact the entire region.
This distinction becomes especially important in areas like infrastructure for cycling, walking, wheeling and scooting, where decision-making power isn’t always straightforward.
Who Decides on Cycling Infrastructure?
While Councillors influence cycleway projects in the region, their ability to dictate local cycling initiatives has its limits. A prime example is the proposed cycleway for Mahia and Roscommon Roads in Angela’s ward in Manurewa, for which both central and regional funding was provided to Manurewa.
“Although the policy and plan for the regional cycleway network is a regional decision, the Local Board can opt out,” says Angela. “Which in this case, it did. The broader issue with this means there is now a gap in the regional cycling network.”
This surprising example of a local board turning down a fully-funded improvement shows how the Local Board’s stance on cycling directly affects your suburb’s connectivity.
Community Advocacy: The Manurewa Bike Hub Success Story
The Manurewa Bike Hub is a testament to what community advocacy and strategic planning can accomplish.
“I saw the bike hub out west and at that time thought, ‘I want one of those for my community,'” recalls Angela. “From there it went through the process. With the support of the people behind the Bike Hub it became a reality. I was so pleased to see it opening. It is now so busy, which evidences the need.”
Thanks to strong backing from local supporters, today, the hub is thriving, offering bike repairs, education, and access to cycling in an area where transport equity is crucial.
Safe Speeds: A Battle That Highlights Local Government Limitations
One of the most contentious local government debates has been around speed limits. The central Government created the Speed Rule, but local authorities interpreted the new law as to how it should be applied in their area. While some Councils have managed to maintain lower speeds to protect road users, Auckland has taken a different approach, with over 1,400 roads seeing speed increases. This is despite strong evidence and public support for safer limits.
“This has been so disappointing,” says Angela. “For my area we took a comprehensive approach to the original speed reduction, it was requested by residents, and it was consulted on. Speeds were reduced based on evidence of DSI (deaths and serious injuries) and predicted DSI. My area has one of the highest in Auckland. Councillors have tried hard to reverse AT’s decision on increasing speeds with little influence.”
This showcases the need for voters to pay attention to candidates’ policy positions—without proactive decision-makers, progress stalls.
Why Your Vote Can Change Auckland’s Future
One of the biggest barriers to change is low voter turnout—less than 30% of Aucklanders cast a vote in local elections. This stagnation prevents the city from achieving its vision of being inclusive, forward-thinking, and built for future generations.
“If voters want to elect people who have aspirations for their suburb and the greater Auckland City they need to look past the campaign one-liners,” says Angela. “Look to the history of decision making by existing elected members. Look to the policy intent for new people standing.”
In other words, to make an informed vote, use the actions of the candidates as a guide, and consider how their positions align with the future you want for your community.
For those who don’t have much time spare, score cards and candidate pledges can show a quick summary and snapshot of candidates positions on various issues, which can help you to make an informed choice. Keep a lookout for score cards and candidate pledges put together by organisations whose values align with your own. Generation Zero and Forest and Bird typically create scorecards – they could be a good place to start.
Get Involved in Local Decision-Making
Voting is the most direct way to influence local government, but engagement doesn’t stop there. Residents can share perspectives with Councillors and Local Board Representatives, attend public meetings, and advocate for the changes they want to see. The more people participate, the stronger the push for policies that serve the community.
Make sure your vote counts in 2025: check that you are enrolled to vote and update your details now.
