Ever stared at your local voting paper and thought, "Ugh, maths?" Well, you’re not alone. In this episode, we break down the mysterious beast known as Single Transferable Vote or STV, the system New Plymouth uses to pick our mayor, councillors, and community boards. STV is part Tinder (for democracy), part musical chairs (but with less pushing), and way fairer than First Past the Post. We’ll spill how it works, how to vote like a strategic pro, and why your preferences matter more than you think. Whether you’re a voting newbie or an old hand, this is your friendly, no-BS guide to making your ballot count without making your brain hurt.
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15:55
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15:55
An Election Special
Local elections are here, and Taranaki’s ballots are anything but boring. We’ve got big names stepping down, fresh faces stepping up, a jam-packed New Plymouth mayoral race, and a referendum that could change Māori representation across the motu. In this episode, we unpack it all: the how, the who, the why, and the what’s at stake across all four councils. This is your helpful guide and your intro to this election season. Stayed tuned for more special episodes in the lead up to our local body elections.
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22:23
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22:23
Neil Volzke on Central Government, Rates Caps & Māori Wards
This week Taryn has a kōrero with Neil Volzke, the longstanding mayor of Stratford District Council. They dive into the tension between local government and central government, examining legislation that is set to tighten the reins on council spending, and the political yo-yo that is Māori Wards.
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26:36
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26:36
Phil Nixon on Water, Weather, Events & Elections
This week Taryn catches up with Phil Nixon, the mayor of the South Taranaki District Council. They kōrero about Local Water Done Well, the wild weather around the region, and the Great Comedy Night, which is heading to some beautiful venues in Hawera and Eltham this August.
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27:11
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27:11
Standing for Council
Tune in for a special episode of Conversations with A Mayor. This week, there's no mayor on air, and instead our host Taryn Utiger dives into the local body elections. What do councillors actually do? How do you stand for council? Do you get paid? Sit back and enjoy these insights from a former local government journalist, and if you're thinking of standing for council in this year's elections, then this is the episode for you.
Join Taryn Utiger every Thursday as she talks with our mayors and chairs from across all four councils in Taranaki.
Taryn asks hard questions about pertinent issues, insightful questions about current events and fun questions about the rohe and the place we call home.
From discussions around rough sleepers, rate increases and the new cycle lanes, to chats about Citizens Awards, career highlights and the best hidden gems in the region, this is the show that brings both insight and heart to local politics.
Tune in to hear from a rotating roster of our four council leaders in Taranaki. Each week features either Neil Volzke from the Stratford District Council, Phil Nixon from the South Taranaki District Council, Craig Williamson from the Taranaki Regional Council, or Neil Holdom from the New Plymouth District Council.
Tune in to find out the interesting things happening around the maunga.
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