Electoral failures in the 2025 Ōtara-Papatoetoe Local Board elections, which resulted in a costly by-election and a loss of public trust, require a full inquiry and an end to postal voting, says Communities & Residents (C&R) candidate Chris Latham.
“Our community needs to have complete faith in how elections are run,” Latham says.
“When mistakes occur on this scale, they leave people questioning whether the system is working as it should. That is not good enough.
“This by-election places an unnecessary financial burden on ratepayers and creates uncertainty in local representation - a situation that could and should have been avoided.
“Competence and accountability must be the bottom line. If there are concerns, they need to be addressed properly and openly. I support a full inquiry so we can understand exactly what went wrong, fix any weaknesses, and ensure it does not happen again. Restoring trust must be the priority.”
Latham calls for an end to postal voting, saying it is time to review whether it remains the best option for voters.
“Postal voting is no longer fit for purpose. This case clearly shows how easily the system can be manipulated, and the cost - both financial and reputational - is borne by the community,” he says.
“We should be looking at modern alternatives that better reflect today’s technology and give our community greater confidence in the process.”
