Councillor's Comment: Change-makers welcome

Elections this year signal an opportunity to elect a diverse team of future-thinking, collaboratively minded change-makers, writes Councillor Rachel Sanson.

Elections this year signal an opportunity to elect a diverse team of future-thinking, collaboratively minded change-makers – people who hold space for a range of perspectives, value inclusion, uplift and support each other, and lead great outcomes for our community.

Council’s mandate is so much more than pipes, pavement and parks.

The wonderful Vote Local 2022 campaign highlights the need for people representing diversity of all forms and lived experiences. People who will guide and advocate for fair and inclusive access to secure affordable housing, healthy food, meaningful living-wage-or-better work, arts and recreational opportunities, safe and accessible active and public transport; who’ll prioritise climate change leadership and embrace Māori representation and partnership; who’ll have a view to fiscal and fiduciary responsibility, regenerate our environment and, above all, focus on ensuring a thriving future for our children and grandchildren – on being a good ancestor.

If this sounds like you or someone you know, please consider stepping up – it’s a challenging role, with significant impact on community outcomes, and the opportunity (and privilege) to connect deeply with, and serve, the community we love.

With only about 42% voter turnout for local elections nationally, more voices and votes are needed to strengthen democratic representation. Please urge everyone you know to enrol and vote: shape.nelson.govt.nz/local-elections-2022