As local council elections draw near, a new youth-led report is calling for candidates to put affordability, inclusion, and community connection at the heart of their campaigns.

Stronger Together: Community Visions for Our Cities — launched today by the Social Change Collective — captures hundreds of voices from Tāmaki Makaurau and Pōneke, setting out a shared vision for cities that are affordable, connected, inclusive, and future-ready.

The Stronger Together campaign was established to re-energise local democracy and make it meaningful for young people. In the 2022 local elections, only 32% of 21–25-year-olds in Wellington voted — a reflection of how disconnected many feel from council decision-making. At the same time, local government has become increasingly polarised and fuelled by hostility, misinformation, and scare tactics that drive people apart.

“Young people are ready to lead a new conversation about what our cities can be,” said Ethan Reille, Chair of the Social Change Collective and spokesperson for the Stronger Together campaign.

“Local government should be a space for ideas, not intimidation. The culture of fear and hate that’s crept into our councils has alienated people, especially young people. This report shows there’s another way forward: through care, collaboration, and courage.”

The report identifies four shared themes voiced across both cities:

Affordability and Livability – housing and wages that reflect the real cost of living.

Connected and Caring Communities – investment in local facilities, libraries, and parks that bring people together.

Inclusive and Trusted Democracy – protection of Māori wards and genuine youth representation in council.

A Positive and Future-Ready Approach – climate-ready neighbourhoods and a culture of creativity, innovation, and hope.

From these discussions, six clear priorities emerged for incoming councillors and candidates:

Affordable, liveable cities

Accessible, safe transport

Inclusive democracy

Connected third spaces

Vibrant local culture

Climate-ready neighbourhoods

Reille said the report offers a timely reminder that rebuilding trust in local democracy starts with changing how we talk about and practice politics.

“If councils want to reconnect with communities, they need to stop talking at people and start working with them,” he said.
“Our generation isn’t cynical about politics — we’re cynical about being ignored. But we still believe in what local democracy could be.”

Stronger Together: Community Visions for Our Cities is a call to action for leaders and candidates to put care, connection, and creativity back at the centre of local government — and to build cities that reflect manaakitanga, sustainability, and belonging.

© Scoop Media