Official Information Request - 28 November 2019 (Election)

Attachments:

• Election 2019 - spending
• Election 2019 - Engagement Plan

Response:

Sent: Friday, 20 December 2019 9:57 am

Subject: LGOIMA request - Council spending on election promotion and voter engagement

I refer to your email of 28 November 2019 requesting information on Council spending on election promotion and voter engagement for every council election since 2000, including:

• The total amount spent by the Council that went into promoting the election, and increasing voter turnout
• A breakdown of the spending that went into promoting the election and increasing voter turnout (e.g. through comms, publicity campaign, education campaign)
• An outline of the strategy that was used by the Council to promote voting in this election
• A list of new initiatives thought up by the Council this year that would promote voter turnout and voter engagement
• Evidence of efforts made by the Council to encourage and increase voter engagement e.g. a "meet the candidates" event, a Mayoral debate, working with local news outlets to increase election coverage

Please find attached:

• Spreadsheet showing the election spending for the 2019 election, including a breakdown of the areas where spending occurred to promote the election and increase voter turnout.
• Powerpoint outlining the engagement plan to promote voting in the 2019 election.
• 2019 Pre-Election Report - https://www.rotorualakescouncil.nz/our-council/Elections/elections-2019/Documents/Elections%202019/PreElectionReport_2019.pdf

2019 was the first year Rotorua Lakes Council had a targeted campaign to promote the election and increase voter turnout.

To research and collate information for previous elections would take a considerable amount of staff time (if available). For this reason providing the information for the 2016, 2013, 2010, 2007, 2004 and 2001 elections is declined under section 17(f) of the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act 'that the information requested cannot be made available without substantial collation or research'.

Regards