2007 Elected Member Survey Statistics

Following the local body elections in October 2007, Local Government New Zealand surveyed all newly elected members in order to obtain an overall profile of elected membership of local government.

The objectives of the Elected Members' Survey are:

  • To inform the sector and community on the overall profile of elected membership of local government.
  • To provide input to policy work on the profiles of elected members.

Below are the results of the Elected Members' Survey.  The results are based on a return rate of 84% of 999 elected members (Councillors and Mayors) and the percentages rounded off to the nearest decimal. Community Board Members are not included in this survey.

The survey requested the following information:

  • Gender
  • Position on Council
  • Ethnicity
  • Age Group
  • Profession / Occupation
  • Previous experience in Local Government
  • Previous experience as a Member of Parliament

SUMMARY OF RESULTS

Gender

The statistics with regard to gender is based on all 999 elected members

  • Males - 71%
  • Females - 29%

Female Representation on Council - Mayors/Chairs/Deputy

  • 13/73 Female Mayors - 18%
  • 1/12 Female Chairs - 8%
  • 18/85 Female Deputy (15 Deputy Mayors and 3 Deputy Chairs) - 21%

Ethnicity

  • NZ European - 87.3%
  • NZ Maori - 3.6%
  • NZ European / NZ Maori - 1.2%
  • Other  - 6.3%
  • Not Stated - 1.5%

Age Group

  • 18-25 -   0.4%
  • 26-30 -   0.6%
  • 31-35 -   1.0%
  • 36-40 -   2.6%
  • 41-50 - 16.0%
  • 51-55 - 20.4%
  • 56-60 - 22.3%
  • 61-65 - 18.6%
  • 66-70 - 12.3%
  • 71+    -   5.1%


Profession / Occupation

The members surveyed identified themselves in a regular profession / occupation along with their role as elected members.

  • Farming, Agriculture and allied fields - 21.9%
  • Business, Self Employed - 30.7%
  • Professionals - 20.9%
  • Other - 20.4%
  • Retired - 3.6%
  • Not Stated - 2.5%

Previous Experience in Local Government

76% of the members have held positions in local government.

Previous Experience as a Member of Parliament

2% of the members have had previous experience as a Member of Parliament. 


For more information please e mail: info@lgnz.co.nz

 

Elected Member Survey Statistics February 2008


Last updated: August 2008