Being active in local government

Press, 2 June 1986, Page 8

Being active in local government

By

LEE MATTHEWS

Local body politics can be a murky, jargon-laden jungle for the uninitiated. And women tend to be a high percentage of the uninitiated. Women make up 51 per cent of New Zealand’s population, yet constitute only 14 per cent of local body representatives. Christchurch’s percentage, at 20 per cent, is a little higher than the national average. Women’s representation on Canterbury local bodies varies from eight per cent (one woman on the 12-member Lyttelton Harbour Board) to 50 per cent (five women on the Lyttelton Borough Council). The Riccarton Borough Council and the North Canterbury Catch-

ment Board have no women members.

A seminar about women in local body politics, to be held on June 8, aims to show women how local bodies work and how women can become involved and use them. It will be at the Arts Centre centre gallery and is organised by the Women’s Electoral Lobby and the National Council of Women.

Christchurch City councillor, Vicki Buck, will talk about the importance of local body politics and why women need to be involved. The Waimairi District Council’s chairman, Margaret Murray, will tell people how to campaign, how to use

publicity and about the personal preparation and self-education needed.

Women on regional boards in Christchurch will discuss their involvement with ad hoc bodies, and ex-Rotorua city councillor, Margaret Sweet, will explain how to be an effective councillor.

Radio talk-back host, Mike Minehan, and television presenter, Liz Grant, will talk about how to use the media effectively during and after campaigning. Margaret Eckman from W.E.L. stresses the seminar is not just for women interested in run-

ning for office. Women who wanted to cut through the jargon and get the best from their local councils would also learn much.

The idea for the seminar came from a similar one held in Auckland earlier this year.

“W.E.L.’s alms are to promote women’s participation in political and public life, and to educate women in electoral processes and government functions,” Margaret Eckman says. “Achieving these aims will increase the number of women in local body politics.” Women’s wide variety of roles in the community — professional, homemaker, volunteer,

mother and user of community facilities — should have fair representation on local decision-making bodies so views are not one-sided, she says. The organisers hope to find out what made women hesitant about running for office; whether it was that they were not aware they could, or were being thwarted. The seminar will cost $5 for waged people and $3 for unwaged. The organisers hope the low cost will make it attractive to many people and say 50 to 80 people would be a good-sized group. Anyone interested should telephone 526-553, 853-257 or 517-977.