The 1989 New Zealand local elections were triennial elections held in New Zealand on Saturday 14 October 1989. They were the first local elections held after the 1989 New Zealand local government reforms, which saw hundreds of pre-existing councils and other local bodies consolidated together significantly.
Election schedule Key dates relating to the local elections were as follows:Local Elections and Polls Act 1976 (1976 No 144) +Final possible day for returning officers to give public notice of location and closing date for candidate nominations.8 SeptemberLast day of candidate nominations and withdrawals, closed at noon. Unopposed candidates are declared nominated to office.28 September–6 OctoberPostal ballots to be sent out where required.14 OctoberPolling day – Polls open 9am to 7pm. Postal ballots must be returned to returning officer before poll close.1 NovemberNew councils come into existence, elected members take office. Background
Reforms
The Labour Party had reform of local government as one of its policies for the , but did not give much detail; the proposals were developed during the first term of the Fourth Labour Government after the party won the election. Michael Bassett was Minister of Local Government and appointed a Local Government Commission, which was chaired by Brian Elwood from 1 April 1985 to 1 November 1992. The government gave the commission a guarantee that their findings would be treated as binding. The resulting local government reform was undertaken along the lines of marketisation, and was done in conjunction with neoliberal economic reforms known as Rogernomics. Some 850 entities were amalgamated into 86 local authorities on regional and territorial levels. Of the 850 entities, 249 were municipalities, and the remainder harbour boards, catchment boards, and drainage boards. The new authorities came into being on 1 November 1989, with the local politicians having been elected on 14 October. Brian Rudman, a journalist and editorial writer for The New Zealand Herald, called the reforms "revolutionary".
Elections
Regional councils The regional level of government in New Zealand is organised into areas controlled by regional councils.
+CouncilElectoral SystemSeatsCouncillorsTurnoutDetailsSourcesPreviousResult 12 councils
Territorial authorities +CouncilElectoral SystemSeatsCouncillorsTurnoutDetailsSourcesPreviousResult 73 councils 1003
Mayors All territorial authorities (including the one unitary authority) directly elected mayors. Territorial authorityIncumbentElectedRunner-upDetailsSources
Area Health Boards
+CouncilElectoral SystemSeatsControlTurnoutDetailsSourcesPreviousResult 14 boards 138
Notes
References