Are they making the country ungovernable?

An update on candidates from the last local body election

In 2022 we had our most recent nationwide local body elections, and nearly a thousand people around the Motu put their name forward for the process. Buried in the mix though were a number of candidates with links to disinformation groups, one group in particular had said their aim was to make the country ungovernable through the process. During that election, a small number of these candidates were elected in various local authorities, including Councils and local and community boards.

Well we’re now over halfway through their terms, with the next local elections slated for October 2025. And this weekend is the Tauranga Elections which have their own problematic candidates.

Just ask Hamilton City Council what good comes from candidates with links to Liz Gunn and NZ Loyal (spoiler - he gets a mention below)

So it seems like a good time to check how these candidates are doing - because they essentially had two options once elected. Work towards the stated goal of making the country ungovernable or fall in line and do the mahi. If they did the first, they risk alienating those they work with and the wider voting public, if they do the second, they risk alienating their voter base but actually achieving some positive outcomes for their communities.

So I’ve peeked in on the successful candidates in order of their announcement of results. And I’m pleasantly surprised by a number of them, confused by a few and not shocked at all by some.