Security allowance will help keep elected members safe

LGNZ says the introduction of an allowance to cover home security will provide added assurance for candidates heading into this year’s local elections.

The Remuneration Authority will introduce an allowance of up to $4,500 to cover elected members installing and monitoring a security system at home (the same figure as for MPs), plus $1000 annually for maintenance. The allowance will come into effect after the 2025 local elections.

LGNZ Chief Executive Susan Freeman-Greene says LGNZ has been advocating for new protections like the allowance given the significant increase in abuse, harassment and threatening behaviour.

“We provided information to the Remuneration Authority to support this decision, and we’re pleased the Government is taking the issue of protecting elected members seriously,” says Susan Freeman-Greene.

“The rise of fringe groups, anonymity of online forums and polarising coverage is feeding increasing abuse of people elected to both central and local government. As well as online threats, elected members have been physically threatened or confronted.

“This decision should give people standing in this year’s local elections some much-needed assurance about safety and security.”

Central Otago Mayor Tamah Alley says her district is a good example of a large and remote area that needs to maximise its resources to ensure a safe community.

“Central Otago District, all 9,968 square kilometres of it, is covered by a few on-call Police officers based 30km apart. Feeling safe plays a big role in actual safety, and expectations of safety will be different for an older female to a young dad with kids, a large family or a person living alone, and they are also different between rural and urban areas,” says Mayor Tamah Alley.

“Some councils are already supporting elected members in personal safety. Central Otago District has paid for a member to install a camera at their home address, following an obnoxious campaign that included items being left in their letterbox.”

“The determination today is a great start. However, there is more work to do,” Susan Freeman-Greene says.

“It is still up to individual councils to decide whether their elected members receive this support. That means there is a level of inconsistency across the country, and a potential for this to be politicised when rates are already under immense pressure.

"We need consistency across the country, because every elected member deserves to know that they will be safe when they’re going about their job.”