23 November Wainuiomata News

By Frank Neill

Around 150 people packed the Wainuiomata Rugby Clubrooms on 19 November to farewell long-serving Member of Parliament Trevor Mallard. Mr Mallard resigned as Parliament’s Speaker in August and will move to Ireland in January to serve as New Zealand’s Ambassador.

Continued on page 2.

Trevor Mallard with some of the Hutt Valley Tokelauan cultural group, Te Tupulaga Kauhiva, at the farewell for Mr Mallard. Photo: Supplied.

Chris Bishop

Trevor Mallard thanked for stirling service

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Guests at the farewell included people from the Wainuiomata community, sports clubs, community organisations, community leaders and politicians, including Hutt Mayor Campbell Barry and the current Hutt South MP Ginny Andersen.

Wainuiomata Marae Chair Star Olsen presented Trevor a taonga on behalf of the community. Mr Olsen thanked Trevor for everything he has done both for the marae and for the wider community.

Former Member of Parliament Luamanuvao Dame Winnie Laban also made a presentation to Trevor, giving him a ula fala, which a former Samoan Prime Minister had given her.

She made the presentation, she said, to recognise all Trevor’s support both for her family and for the Samoan community in New Zealand.

Gerard Eising, Chair of the Wainuiomata Rugby Club, also spoke at the farewell, thanking Trevor for his long-standing support for both rugby and the community.

Wainuiomata Rugby Club centurion Alice Soper spoke of Trevor’s love of the women’s game.

She thanked Trevor for his long-standing support of women’s rugby, saying that he had backed the Black Ferns long before it became a trend in New Zealand.

She noted that Trevor’s daughter, Beth Mallard, had played rugby for Wainuiomata and had gone on to become a Black Fern. Well known rugby commentator Ken Laban, who is also a Wellington Regional Councillor, was MC for the evening.

One of the highlights was a “beautiful performance” by a Hutt Valley Tokelauan cultural group, Te Tupulaga Kauhiva, comprised of 13 secondary school students.

“Trevor is a stalwart of the Wainuiomata community,” Mayor Campbell Barry says.

“His farewell was a great way to acknowledge his services and the difference he’s made to the Wainuiomata community, and I know that’ll continue when he returns from Ireland.”

Trevor was, on his retirement, the longest-serving MP in Parliament. He was first elected to the House 38 years ago.

In 1984, Trevor defeated Mike Minogue to become the Member of Parliament for Hamilton West. He was re-elected in 1987 but then lost his seat in 1990.

Trevor then returned to Wellington, the city of his birth,

and successfully contested the Pencarrow seat in 1993. The seat was renamed Hutt South in 1996 and Trevor again won election. He served as Hutt South’s MP until 2017, when he chose to become a list MP.

During his time in Parliament Trevor held 13 Ministerial portfolios and served as Speaker of the House from 2017 until August this year.

[The “Wainuiomata News” incorrectly stated in its last edition that Trevor Mallard was farewelled on 12 November. We apologise for the error.]

Chicago wraps up in style

The Wainuiomata Little Theatre has just concluded a successful season of the hit musical Chicago.

Over three weeks and multiple sold-out nights, audiences enjoyed the production.

“The cast and crew have been working hard for four months on this production and the results really shone through during the season, says Wainuiomata Little Theatre President Trevor Williams.

“The audience responses were overwhelmingly positive, and we enjoyed the chance to bring the show to the stage in

Wainuiomata.

“Keep an eye out for our next production.” Chicago ran from 2 to 19 November at the Old Wainuiomata College Hall. The production has a cast of 20.

It told a tale of the sensational murderess Velma Kelly, the reigning queen of the Cook County jail, and Roxie Hart, the newest of the merry murderesses, who, of course, haven't really committed any crime (their men had it coming).

The musical featured well known songs like “All That Jazz” and “Cell Block Tango”.

Trevor Mallard speaking at his farewell. Photo: Supplied.

Hutt South’s first MP, Trevor Mallard, with the current Hutt South MP Ginny Andersen. Photo: Supplied.

Tom O’Carroll (centre) playing Billy Flynn in the Wainuiomata Little Theatre’s production of Chicago. Photo: John Williams.

Q: What is the biggest problem facing the world today?

Climate change because everything is going up and food prices are going up.

Affordable home development under way

By Frank Neill

New Zealand’s first private development dedicated to getting first home buyers on the property ladder is about to be constructed in Wainuiomata.

Called Koru K inga, the new development is being built by Koru Homes New Zealand.

The development, which will deliver 51 new homes in Gawler Grove, has just received resource consent from Hutt City Council.

Earthworks on the project are scheduled to begin at the end of this month.

Once the homes are built, they will be available to first home buyers at lower than market valuation.

“It is great to see that resource

consents have been granted for the work to begin,” says Hutt South MP Ginny Andersen, who has helped Koru Homes build local relationships.

“Focusing on local community, Koru Homes NZ has partnered with local businesses to bring the development to life, benefitting the whole community taking on local apprentices to complete the work through WelTec. Awesome!” Ms Andersen says.

“More houses for the people – that’s the goal,” says Adrian Chooi, the founder of Koru Homes NZ.

“There are so many people who can’t afford to buy a home.

“We want to help them build equity and build their future. I’d like as many people as possible

to get that opportunity,” he says.

“We have purposely kept everything local.

“From the manufacturing of the houses to civil contractors and builders – everyone is part of the local community.

“It’s a unique initiative because we are trying to create social impact by not just helping people get on the housing ladder but giving them the opportunity to work in their community,” Mr Chooi says.

The 51 new homes will comprise 16 duplexes, 18 corner townhouses and 17 townhouses.

They will feature spacious open floor plans and quality liveable indoor and outdoor spaces.

“We build for family living, and for eye-catching beauty and efficiency,” Mr Chooi says.

New unit for babies and parents ‘fantastic’

By Frank Neill

A new unit providing support for babies and parents in the Hutt Valley is “fantastic news,” says Hutt South MP Ginny Andersen.

Once the new unit is operational, it will mean Hutt Valley pepi and parents will not need to stay as long – if at all – far from home in Newtown.

Te Whatu Ora has taken over part of the Wright Family Foundation’s lease of the former Te Awakairangi Birthing Centre, which will be repurposed as the district’s first standalone community-based transitional care unit.

“From mid-2023, this unit will enable unwell pepi and wh nau to be supported while transitioning from neonatal intensive or specialist care to primary care,” Te

Whatu Ora says.

“It has been a long road to get this far so it is great to see that agreement has been reached between Te Whatu Ora and the Wright Foundation.,” Ms Andersen says.

“From mid-2023, this unit will enable unwell babies and wh nau to be supported while transitioning from neonatal intensive or specialist care to primary care.

“I believe this is a great outcome for our community.

“It will help to keep families together and here in the Hutt when they need it the most.

“There will also be space for primary birthing with two rooms in the facility being made available.

“We need to increase access to primary birth and postnatal services in the Hutt and this is a big step in the right direction,” Ms Andersen says.

“The Wright Family Foundation is thrilled to continue our breastfeeding support, connection of peer groups, and providing extensive wrap around services to whanau,” says Wright Family Foundation founder and CEO Chloe Wright.

“As a social enterprise, we believe that the best outcomes for families can be achieved through the structure of Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand and the nimble application of services that social enterprise can bring.”

“Significant work has gone into getting us to this point,” Te Whatu Ora Capital, Coast & Hutt Valley interim district director John Tait says.

“We are confident that utilising the unit in this way will deliver the greatest benefit for the greatest number of pepi, parents, and wh nau in our communities.”

Dennis Gibson

Greed. Politicians steal and there are no consequences for what they do.

Stephen Khan-Evans

There are so many. The Ukraine situation is one of the worst.

Lorelle Cole

Denise McMillan

War. And the second one is economics, as the whole world is suffering after Covid.

Carolyn Black

Paul Richardson

Global warming. Without a doubt anyone under 30 who thinks they can get out of this scot free are wrong.

Global warming. I think we all need to do our part now rather than later.

An artist’s impression of Koru Kāinga, aimed at getting first home buyers on the property ladder. Photo: Supplied.

Ambulance service celebrates 95 years

Wellington Free Ambulance celebrated 95 years of service to the community on 9 November.

The service celebrated with a community event on the Wellington waterfront between 1.30 and 2.30pm.

A historical display about Wellington Free Ambulance through the decades was at the waterfront, along with an ambulance on site.

Lollies and balloons were given away, and Wellington Free Ambulance provided an interactive quiz so people could test their knowledge about the only free ambulance service for greater Wellington and Wairarapa.

Wellington Free Ambulance owes its foundation to the Mayor of Wellington at the

time, Sir Charles Norwood.

Sir Charles came across a man injured and cold on the footpath, unable to get an ambulance to take him to hospital.

As Sir Charles laid his coat on the man, he was inspired to start the uniquely free emergency ambulance service we have today.

In 2022, because of the generosity and support of the community, Wellington Free Ambulance remains New Zealand’s only free ambulance service.

“We are grateful to each and every person who donates to ensure the original vision of Sir Charles, that emergencies should cost neither lives or money, remains a reality,” Wellington Free Ambulance says.

First community board meeting

By Frank Neill

The new look Wainuiomata Community Board will hold its inaugural meeting at 6:30pm on 7 December at the Wainuiomata Library.

Five of the six community board members were newly elected at this year’s local body elections.

Gary Sue, who also attracted the highest number of votes in the election, was the only board member who was re-elected.

The five new board members are Te Awa Puketapu, Lesa Bingley, Daniel Chrisp, Leah Clark and Tamsyn Harker. As the Wainuiomata Ward

Councillor on the Hutt City Council, Cr Keri Brown also sits on the community board. She was re-elected this year.

The first item on the agenda will be the swearing in of the six new community board members (Cr Brown has already been sworn in as a Hutt City Councillor).

The rest of the agenda has yet to be published, but will be available on the Hutt City Council website four clear working days before 7 December.

The new community board will serve Wainuiomata for three years, until the 2025 local body elections.

GARDENING THIS WEEK

Encouraging children to garden

We need to encourage our children and grandchildren to appreciate Nature by including them in some gardening activities.

I believe that young children have a natural infinity with plants and insects when they are allowed to explore our gardens.

Children learn many things by mimicking their parents and are often keen at a young age to assist in various gardening activities.

I remember as a toddler spending many hours in the garden collecting caterpillars off the cabbages and feeding them to our chooks.

I also can still remember how good it felt to be part of Nature back then and the same feeling pertains today when I work or wander around gardens.

Plants that ‘move’ have a fascination for children and a great one for this is Mimosa pudica, the Sensitive Plant, which folds up its leaves when touched.

They are easy to germinate from seed, grown as a pot plant for a windowsill. (Available Kings Seeds)

Nice pink flowers also. As the plant matures it has thorns on the branches which incidentally are another attraction for children.

Cacti with their prickles often appeal to young boys and I had a small collection when I was young and still keep a few.

Two awesome plants for children to grow are Giant sunflowers and Giant pumpkins.

Giant Sunflowers; these extra tall sunflowers will grow up to 5 metres tall.(17 odd feet) Grown in full sun in soil that has excellent drainage and lots of manure.

The giant pumpkins can be monsters which in some cases will weigh over 1000 pounds at maturity. (Half a ton)

If I was going to grow giant pumpkin, here is what I would do:

Obtain the Giant pumpkin seeds from a seed supplier. (Atlantic Giant is the type of seed you need again Kings Seeds)

Pick an all-day-sunny area, then dig a hole about a spade depth and width, chop up the bottom of the hole, so the soil is loose, then fill the hole with chook manure to about two thirds full.

(Other manure could be used if chook manure is not obtainable, but chook is best)

Fill the rest of the hole with a good compost and soil mix, 50/50 making a small mound about 12cm tall above the filled in hole.

Place three seeds in the mound and wet them down with Magic Botanic Liquid (MBL), (20 ml of MBL to 1 litre of water.)

: By Wally Richards

Water the mount to keep moist with plain water and then every 2 weeks with the MBL.

Overseas the biggest record vegetables have been achieved with products very similar or the same as MBL. Spraying the foliage of your Giants every 2 weeks with MBL (10 ml to a litre) will also assist in a bigger healthier plant.

When the seeds germinate select the two smaller ones and carefully remove letting the best one grow on.

After your pumpkin is established and growing well, give them a drink using Wallys Cucumber Booster, once a week.

This is a high nitrogen product that is a combination of sulphate of ammonia and potassium nitrate, which you dissolve in water.

Cucumber Booster is excellent for any plants that enjoys a boost of nitrogen after establishment. It is used for growing cucumbers, pumpkins, zucchini and gourds.

The MBL and Cucumber Booster can be combined for watering into the soil near the base of the plant.

Because of the weather patterns we are experiencing, after you plant your seed, cut off the base of a 2 to3 litre plastic fruit juice bottle and place this over the mound, with the cap removed.

This will give your seed and seedling its own little glasshouse. This is removed once the seedlings germinate prior to culling out the two.

With the Giant Sunflower a tall strong stake should be put in the ground at seed planting time on the edge of a mound as described previously..

This will be needed later to give extra support to the plant.

Another interesting thing to do is once the sunflower gets up about a metre tall, plant 3 or 4 climbing bean seeds at the base of the plant.

These will grow up the sunflower and also provide extra nitrogen for the sunflower.

It is a lot of fun plus a great way to get the children away from the TV and video games, showing them there is more to life than a screen.

Some garden centres run competitions for the tallest sunflower and the biggest pumpkin with various prizes for the winners.

Aphids are likely to be found on your roses at this time and they can easily be controlled with a safe spray of Wallys Super Pyrethrum. Spray very late in the day just before dusk to obtain the best results.

Stone fruit trees that had the curly leaf disease will now be producing

new leaves free of the problem. The damaged leaves will fall off over time. You can if you like, spray the newer leaves a couple of times with potassium permanganate and Raingard just to be sure, but if the disease has finished for the season the sprays will not make much difference.

A spray of Vaporgard without the potassium permanganate would be more effective in allowing the tree’s remaining leaves to gain more energy from the sun, which is needed to produce a good crop.

Codlin Moths will start to be on the wing about now so obtain a pheromone trap from your garden centre so you can monitor the best time to spray.

A number of gardeners have found that a spray of Super Neem Tree Oil and Raingard over the young apples, applied about 5-7 days after an influx of moths into the traps, has resulted in only a very small scar on the mature apple, where the grub took its first and only bite.

(Note Wallys Super Neem Tree Oil has been cleared by EPA to sell again, just waiting on the new approved labels to arrive later this month)

Repeat spray 7 days later and then wait for another influx of moths before repeating.

Add Raingard or MBL to the spray to assist and extend the control period.

Tomatoes should be doing well if in a sunny, sheltered spot. Only remove laterals on a sunny day when it is not humid or moist.

Spray the wound immediately with Liquid Copper to prevent disease entering the wound resulting in the possible loss of the plant.

Ensure that the tomato plants are well supported on stakes during windy times. If you are concerned about blights spray the plants with Perkfection as a preventative, once a month. The same applies for your potatoes.

For general health of any plants, especially roses and food crops, a two weekly spray of MBL and Mycorrcin works wonders. Spray both the soil and the foliage.

Avoiding the use of chemical sprays and fertilisers is a must for healthy gardens and plants.

Securely store your tools

By Frank Neill

Police are urging tradespeople to secure and safely store all tools following a spate of thefts in the Wellington area over recent weeks.

“Don’t leave your tools at the work site overnight,” Sergeant Patrick Tangipo, the officer in charge of the Wainuiomata Police, advises tradespeople.

“If you can, don’t leave your tools in your vehicles.”

Sergeant Tangipo also advises

tradespeople to engrave some form of unique marking on their tools.

That would mean that Police could identify who the tools belong to “and we can return them to their rightful owners,” he adds.

Following the recent spate of thefts there are reports of several thousand dollars’ worth of tools stolen.

Police are advising to take extra care when parking in public spaces and car parking buildings as these are known targeted locations.

These crimes will continue to be

investigated by Police; however, prevention is advised.

It is important that people take measures to prevent theft from occurring.

Anyone that sees suspicious activity around vehicles can call Police on 111 if they are witnessing the activity, or 105 after the matter.

Incidents of theft from vehicles must be reported to Police so that these cases can be investigated and preventative measures can be taken.

The Wellington Free Ambulance turned 95 on 9 November and celebrated with plenty of colour and fanfare. Photo: Supplied.

Celebrate Wainuiomata coming to town

By Frank Neill

Celebrate Wainuiomata weekend is coming to town – just in time for Christmas.

Featuring authentic and international kai, and stalls selling a wide range of items, the weekend will be held on 10 and 11 December at the Wainuiomata Marae.

Celebrate Wainuiomata will begin at 10am and run to 5pm on both the Saturday and the Sunday.

The event is being held to support Wainuiomata’s P taka Kai.

The stock of food at P taka Kai is getting low, one of the event’s organisers, Janice Aldridge told the “Wainuiomata News”.

“We feed between 35 and 50 families a day.

“We send out food parcels as far as Taita, Korokoro and Maungaraki.”

P taka Kai had thought of having a garage sale, but the idea started growing and it has turned into a giant market “with some real quality items on sale”.

Eight food stalls and 11 other stalls had been booked by 22 November, and people can still book a $10 stall by contacting Janice on 022 063 6828.

As well as the stalls, there will be free sausages, ice cream and water for children, as well as three pre-order options.

On both days people can order

steam puddings by calling 021 043 3232. On the Saturday people can pre-order raw fish and on the Sunday they can pre-order a hangi and orders for both these items can be made by calling 022 078 9282.

In addition, P taka Kai will have a shop at Celebrate Wainuiomata weekend.

The K kiri Marae P taka Kai is a national leader in providing food for needy people.

Needy people can place an order to have food parcels delivered by ringing 0800 926 257.

From its base at St Peter’s Church hall in Wise Street, it delivers hundreds of food parcels to needy people every week.

The fact that P taka Kai is a national leader was demonstrated with a national award.

P taka Kai is a member of the Te Awa Kairangi Kai Collective which was awarded Local Government New Zealand’s K inga Ora Home and Communities Excellence Award for social well-being.

P taka Kai was a “major contributor” to the initiative – a partnership between Hutt City Council and Te Awa Kairangi Kai Collective to deliver food during the 2020 lockdown, Hutt City Mayor Campbell Barry told the “Wainuiomata News”.

The group “has filled a genuine gap all across the city,” the Mayor

said.

As well as providing food parcels for needy people, P taka Kai also grows food to include in the giveaways.

Hutt City Council owns a strip of land behind St Peter’s Church hall, and the council has agreed that P taka Kai can use this as a garden.

As well as growing kai, one of the aims of the “urban farm” is to help teach people in the community how to grow food and also how to cook it.

St Peter’s Union Church has also contributed to the resounding success of P taka Kai by providing their community hall to the group free of charge.

Queen St water main renewal complete

Work on the Queen Street water main, a critical challenge for the Wainuiomata Town Centre project, was completed yesterday, 22 November.

During work on the Queen Street upgrade, the water main under the roadway burst.

This meant that the project team had to work along with Wellington Water to renew the main.

“This is great news for Wainuiomata and the Town Centre Project team,” the latest progress report on the town centre

upgrade says.

“It means we have a more resilient, high-quality piece of infrastructure that the Wainuiomata community can rely on into the future.

“Having these works completed will also improve construction efficiencies in the run up to Christmas.”

A series of trees in Queen Street were also scheduled for removal, and the last of the trees were taken down yesterday – the same day the work on the water main was completed.

Bumbling All Blacks end season on typical note

Thank goodness the All Blacks season is over.

The 25-all draw was the perfect unhappy note to end a truly mediocre year.

This team has shown glimpses of brilliant play but more often than not, have not played up to the standard expected of the All Blacks history.

England roared back from 25-6 down with eight minutes to go to draw the match at Twickenham and seemed delighted with a share

of the spoils.

The All Blacks, not for the first time this season, had a commanding lead and again flopped when the game should have been safely in-hand.

Many people, like myself, believe we have no chance at winning next year’s World Cup and collapses like the one on Sunday morning do little to dispel the pessimism.

Without trying to be a broken record, Ian Foster has never been a winner as a player or a coach

Local Ki o rahi team plays well

By Frank Neill

Wainuiomata High School’s K orahi team performed very well at the Junior National K orahi Championships, held at Waikato University on 17 and 18 November.

The team finished top of its pool on day one of the competition to qualify for the quarter finals.

However it lost its quarter final match, beaten 12-8 by Te Kaoroa o Te Poatetere.

In its next match, to decide the minor placings in the championship, Wainuiomata High School claimed a convincing 18-6 victory over Te Kuiti High School.

This saw the team claim fifth placing in the championship.

That was an excellent result given the fact that many of the squad of 15 were playing K orahi for the first time, and another group were relatively new to the sport, the teacher who coaches K orahi at the school, M tauranga Te Rauna says.

Only three squad members had played at a national level before.

“It was a good experience. They enjoyed it and they are looking forward to next year.”

Next year Wainuiomata High School will host the Junior National K orahi Championships.

Climate change

It’s not just New Zealand that has been experiencing the effects of climate change, such as the torrential rain that fell in the Wellington region this winter.

Extreme weather records have been broken on every continent on Earth in the 12 months since the last United Nations global climate summit, according to a new report from the Climate Council.

"The reality is that global com-

mitments are dangerously off track to prevent a climate catastrophe,” says Climate Councillor and leading economist Nicki Hutley.

“The UN, just last week, concluded that existing targets would result in catastrophic levels of global warming of between 2.1-2.9°C.”

The Climate Council planned to highlight the report at the latest UN Conference on climate change, COP27, held in Egypt on 6 November.

Policing petition

In the article “Petition seeks more community policing” in the 26 October issue of the “Wainuiomata News”, it said that Ms Durno’s son was “assaulted recently”.

He was assaulted in February.

The main reason that the petition was placed on the Parliament petitions website was to ensure that the earlier petition, signed by 2,221 people, was placed before Parliament.

and he seems to have brought his career mediocrity to the All Blacks.

Losses to Ireland and Argentina combined with a French-referee assisted escape against the Wallabies were all warning shots that this All Blacks era is one of the poorest in the professional rugby era.

This team doesn’t attack with flair, they’re obsessed with kicking the ball in all areas of the field and lack a killer instinct and

composure in crucial moments.

As my wife said to me after Sunday’s latest catastrophe - they’re not a likable team.

Key players are too inconsistent and only Ardie Savea can be considered world class.

For me, defeated as I am by this brand of All Blacks rugby, I look at it as one more season of Foster before the Scott Robertson era begins.

That is an era that should have started after the 2019 Rugby World

Cup semi final exit.

I can endure another 12 months but what is obvious to the fans is that change is desperately needed in all areas.

Changes in tactics and team selection are a must and only 2024 seems to offer any of those solutions to a constantly bewildered fanbase which has had to put up with the mediocre rugby dished-up by Foster and co.

Roll on the summer months, it’s long overdue.

Whitaker looking for clean sweep

By Andy McGechan

Wainuiomata’s Jake Whitaker will look to make it a clean sweep at the final round of the Yamaha-sponsored New Zealand Extreme Off-Road Championship at Moonshine Valley on 27 November.

With three wins from three starts in the elite Gold Grade at the previous rounds, Jake bagged the main title with a round to spare and there is no denying that he can probably relax and ease back on the throttle this weekend.

But that's not in his nature and, with this fourth and final round set for his own "back yard", it would be foolish to assume that Jake will be taking things easy.

South Islanders Ben Dando and

Luke Corson gave Jake plenty to think about at the previous round in Canterbury just over a week ago and they are both now vying to claim a podium finish, Omihi's Ethan McBreen and Taranaki pair Tony Parker and Luke Thompson will also be fired up to achieve a top-three finish to the series.

Jake won this series overall in 2019 and again last year and his credentials as a record eight-time New Zealand trial champion – a parallel motorcycling code where the emphasis is on balance and throttle control rather than pure speed – help add to the air of invincibility that surrounds him.

Motorcycling New Zealand enduro commissioner Justin Stevenson said he believes Sunday's event "could be the best yet" of the

2022 series.

"The course is roughly 50% new and untried terrain and 50% of it will be tracks that have been used before, but this time running in the reverse direction," Justin said.

"It will offer the same level of difficulty that riders must now be expecting, a real challenge for the Gold and Silver Grade competitors, but we'll make it a little bit easier for the Bronze Grade riders.

"The course is looking good and it will be a great event, provided the weather plays its part and we don't get too much heavy rain."

The 2022 Yamaha NZ Extreme Off-Road Championships are supported by Mitas tyres, Macaulay Metals, Silver-bullet and Kiwi Rider magazine.

Why voter turnout was low

By Frank Neill

The low voter turnout in October’s local body elections was mostly driven by lack of information about candidates, the results of a new survey show.

Conducted by Horizon Poll, which released the results on 11 November, the survey showed that 31% of non-voters did not vote because they did not know enough about candidates.

Policy information was another reason non-voters gave, with 26% saying they did not know enough about the policies.

Third on the list was people saying they could not work out who to vote for, at 22%, while 18% said they forgot to vote. 16% said they did not know when voting finished or that they missed the deadline and 14% said they were not interested in politics or politicians.

When voters and non-voters were asked which ways they would prefer to vote, 55% said online and 44% said postal voting. Nearly a third (32%) preferred polling stations. (Respondents could select any or all of the options).

A change to include an online voting option might also appeal to non-voters. 59% prefer online voting, compared with 55% of respondents overall.

Horizon says results indicate the key to lifting local election turnout is giving potential electors more information on candidates and their policies.

Better administration and communications could also help overcome these issues with non-voters: Not registered (10%); Not receiving voting papers (11%);

Forgetting to vote (18%); Not knowing when voting

finished (16%).

Moves could be made to address apathy among non-voters in the following areas:

Not interested in politics of politicians (14%);

Can’t be bothered voting (13%);

My vote won’t make a difference (12%);

Too much effort to select a candidate (5%).

Horizon Research Principal Graeme Colman says changing the voting method won’t be the main driver of behaviour change to lift election turnout.

“The country might have to consider how we help either local authorities or other agencies fund and get detailed information on all candidates to electors - and more effectively communicate on registering, voting deadlines and why people should be bothered to vote.”