Throughout September and October, Hamilton City Council is hosting a series of community events – Vote and Vibes – to make voting in the local election and Maaori Ward Poll easier, more accessible, and a lot more fun.
These five mini-events will pop up in parks across the city, inviting Hamiltonians to bring their whaanau and friends to relax, enjoy music from a live DJ, take part in kids’ activities – and most importantly, vote.
In 2022, voter turnout was just 29.4%. This year, Hamilton City Council is working hard to remove barriers and boost participation.
Janet Carson, General Manager of Partnerships, Communication, and Maaori, says the events are about meeting people where they are.
“It’s important to us to be out in the community during the election period. He kanohi kitea, maa te hapori – making it ‘easy as’ to vote and meeting them where they are!
"Having these events across the city allows Hamiltonians to drop their vote off in their neighbourhood or make a special vote at easily accessible locations – and have fun doing it,” she said.
A mobile voting station will be available at each event from 10am – 12pm, where people can drop off their completed voting papers or make a special vote if they haven’t received their pack in the post, or haven’t yet enrolled to vote.
The first Vote and Vibes event kicks off this Saturday at Bremworth Park in Dinsdale.
Vote and Vibes pop-up events:
- Bremworth Park, Saturday 13 September, 10am – 12pm
- Innes Common, Saturday 20 September, 10am – 12pm
- Claudelands Park, Wednesday 24 September, 10am – 12pm
- Korikori Park, Wednesday 1 October, 10am – 12pm
- Steele Park, Sunday 5 October, 10am – 12pm
Please note the Vote and Vibes events will not go ahead if the weather is bad.
Take action, Hamilton. The future depends on you.