By Moana Ellis, Local Democracy Reporting
Whanganui reggae favourites NLC and community stalwarts Roots Provider will headline a free, all-ages concert this weekend aimed at getting more people to vote in this year’s local elections.
As part of Whanganui District Council’s biggest-ever campaign to lift voter turnout, the Up the Vote! festival in Majestic Square on Saturday brings together live music, kai, family fun and a chance to enrol and vote on the spot.
Council democracy services manager Anna Palamountain said the aim was to make voting easier, more visible and more appealing.
“Getting people excited about local elections isn’t always an easy task. Voter turnouts are typically less than 50%,” Palamountain said.
“But this year is a big election, especially with the Māori ward referendum, so we thought we’d try something a bit different that will hopefully bring more voters into the fold.”
Running from 1pm to 7pm, the concert features a line-up of local talent including NLC, Roots Provider and “legendary local act” Hot Potato, up-and-coming singer-songwriter Sophie Toyne and DJ Shady Lady.
Fifteen-year-old Toyne has been tipped as a rising star after winning a coveted Golden Guitar award at the Tamworth Country Music Festival in Australia.
Free facepainting and food trucks will keep families fed and entertained, while Horizons Regional Council is throwing in free bus services across the city for the day.
Toitū Ngā Wāri Māori
At a separate event, on Saturday at Pākaitore, locals are being called to join a “national activation” to support Māori wards.
Toitū Ngā Wāri Māori is a series of rallies around the country, encouraging whānau to vote in local Māori ward elections and in referendums on whether to keep Māori seats.
Organisers are asking whānau to “bring your voices and your voting papers” to the rally at 3pm on Saturday.
The Pākaitore event is not associated with council.
Council: ‘It’s not too late to enrol’
Palamountain said the council matched the concert’s slogan – Stand up, be counted! – with a song of the same name by award-winning NLC.
NLC’s song Be Counted inspired the council’s election campaign slogan, Palamountain said.
The heart of the event is a pop-up enrolment and voting station, designed for those who missed out on receiving their papers in the mail or haven’t yet signed up.
“The key thing is it’s still not too late to enrol and vote. We’ll have computers and printers set up at the event, so we can get you sorted and ready to vote on the spot,” Palamountain said.
Special voting is also available at council offices.
The concert is part of council measures to increase voting participation with community outreach, particularly in areas where voter turnout has traditionally been low.
It is targeting 50 percent voter turnout and has doubled the number of orange voting bins in the community to 16.
“When people from all parts of our community vote we’re more likely to see a council that truly reflects the diversity of our district. This means more representative decision-making around the council table,” Palamountain said earlier this year.
Up the Vote! runs 1pm to 7pm, Saturday 27 September, Majestic Square. Free buses will operate all day across the city.
Awa FM – Te Reo Irirangi o Whanganui
For more of our people, our stories, our way, click News or follow us on Facebook.
