Enterprise Deep Dive: Cyclone and flood
Environmental
Additional actions are likely required in areas impacted by the North
21 July 23
affected areas from Jan-Feb 23
driver description Island early 2023 weather events, as many in the population have
been displaced and they may experience greater challenges in
registering and voting.
The North island significant weather
1/3 of NZ's 5m people impacted and 3.5bn
Displaced people means the roll is more
People in/displaced from impacted
events disrupted and displaced many
damage by combined weather events. There are
likely to be inaccurate.
Key factors
areas get enrolment packs
people and services
still areas with reduced access – the East Cape
Fewer options for VP locations and
that
Local knowledge incorporated into
ing
What is
and East coast of the Coromandel, Tukituki
1.
Has the EC understood the impact
transport. People in these areas will face
Key
How may
influence
voting services preparation.
the risk
(SH50), and SH2 between Gisborne and
on the communities?
additional challenges accessing voting
sh
xte
our success Road closures.
t
data Whakatane; SH2 between Wairoa and Napier.
this risk or places and services.
that the
2.
How were/are EC operations
348 of our 755 recorded engagements during the
issue
in this space Accessibility of communities/
responding?
Reduction in engagement foreseeable due to
capacity: our engagement does not
Board
(internal
abli
MEO period were located in cyclone impacted
impact
prioritisation of other challenges.
t
3.
Are EC operations appropriate to
systematically cover all impacted
specifically
areas (Northland, Auckland, BoP and Tairāwhiti)
and
s
Con
enable participation in impacted
us?
If voter registration and turnout is
areas due to the isolation and
need to be
E
*Staff hubs in impacted areas include Rotorua,
areas, across enrolment,
significantly impacted in these areas, a
external)
inaccessibility of certain areas.
concerned
Whakatane, Gisborne, Napier, Whangarei and
engagement and voting services?
perception of inadequate focus and support
Auckland.
General frustration with
about?
to resolve challenges could undermine EC
government - feedback received
Increase of GNAs for the region.
and electoral system reputation.
that many are sick of Crown
engagement in these regions.
Staff involved: Enrolment, Strategic Engagement and
Staff involved: Voting Services, Electorate & Regional managers, SEP
Staff involved: Enterprise services, VSs,
partnerships (SEP)
Considered: Areas impacted, level of displacement, infrastructure damage/
Key area 3
L&P
Key area 1
Considered: Areas impacted, level of displacement, community
Key area 2 resilience for VPs, transport and accessibility in region for placement of
Considered: Threat agnostic BCP
Goals: despite impact of weather events, community is supported
VPs, community groups and channels.
preparation
ies Enrolment
to enrol and choose an appropriate roll.
Implication
Prepared-
Goals: Service for voters in cyclone impacted areas is appropriate, with any
Goals: Ability to deliver election/ prepped
it
Activities: - work by the Commission to contact people affected as
implications in
s for
additional challenges caused by the weather events considered and
ness to
to adjourn if significant events require it
part of MEO: advertising on TV, radio and online, with our website
impacted areas
election
managed.
respond
Activities: - Detailed planning to a key road
and free-phone number with more information, and teams in the
preparation Activities: RMs and EMs for impacted areas are considering the impacts that should
closure level in Central North Island, with
activ and how we’ve community talking to people face-to-face.
the weather events had on their areas in their planning of VP location and
key CDEM and FENZ links in place at EM
responded
similar
Accurate roll – We contact electors whose mail has been returned , voting,
site assessments- including storage hubs to ensure access to materials in the events occur and RM level
on
undeliverable and unsafe where details available. Checks on
and
event of road closures.
Parts of business /
We are currently developing a suite of
addresses include focus on the impacted areas, incl against red-
election
project involved,
-
In addition to national information channels to the public, targeted
Business Continuity Plans across the
sticker information most councils have provided
issi what they have
day
assessment of, and contact with, impacted areas is enabled through SEP-
business aimed at the restoration of
Additional local advertising focus in impacted areas
considered, and
partners are helping to find VP staff
critical functions and minimising the
the goals they wish
On ground activities /relationships Extensive engagement
-
Many impacted communities are predominantly Māori, this election we
impact of a business
to realise.
supporting motivation, education and participation; (348 in MEO
are setting up more te reo voting places, including in these areas
disruption. Operational continuity
Summarise key
period)
with iwi and other groups in these areas to support MEO
planning has commenced and is on target
-
Employing local people helps appropriately place voting places
Comm activities being
and enrolment (IE Matariki Ki-o-Rahi Challenge at Taipa Area
for completion by the end of August.
-
Pop up mobile voting services are increased for this election
undertaken to
School in Doubtless Bay, 27 June Connections with Stats NZ,
Playbook to make and manage decisions
-
SEP engagements include working with and connecting locally with VSs to
prepare, address or MSD etc and doing government roadshows, including in Wairoa
RE s195A and s195B electoral act (power
share learning s and contacts.
respond.
recently. Enrolment campaign work with NZ Post (who advise no
to complete the election)
disruption anticipated on the basis of past events.)
-
Emerging Te Puna o Te Mataatua (social services provider) relationship-
Scenario testing as part of BCP
travelling with them to connect with isolated greater Whakatane.
The Board have received regular updates on MEO,
-
Previously ELT received fortnightly MEO updates; plus Programme board
How does
Enrolment
enrolment generally and the National Incident
monitoring on a fortnightly basis.
-
Regions with undelivered voting packs in significant
What visibility
management
Management Plan was approved by the board last
Forthcoming: Programme board reporting transitioning to regular GE
What key
numbers will be shared for action
has the Board month.
monitor and
taskforce closer to the election. Will be monitoring enrolment and voting
-
Info from on the ground staff and our stakeholders
information
had of key
In June, the Board also received a detailed briefing
maintain
place preparations and activity.
monitored, to enable further action where
or
oring programmes on supplies, storage and transport preparations in confidence in - Monitoring “gone no address” returns (normally 70-100k per 3.4m
required.
milestones
it
Central North Island.
and how the
enrolment packs distributed)
these areas?
Voting Services
will trigger
risk is being
-
VSs regional managers also monitor weather events, and Waka Kotahi
-
Any road closures and weather events that are
Forthcoming:
How is
road closures; and EMs are connected to civil defence and FENZ.
action?
identified as materially impacting delivery will be
dealt with?
Continued updates as part of GE programme
success
-
Escalation channels from our on the ground staff and partners.
actioned
Mon
updates, or via GE taskforce updates as
monitored?
-
IMT and BCP escalation if implemented have ELT channel.
-
Key road disruptions have been identified and are
governance structures change as we proceed into
What is the
being monitored w/ contingency for alternate
the election period.
trend?
routes and option to use light aircraft
GE taskforce, including IMT and BCP escalation.
,
Overall we have undertaken substantial reactive steps since the significant weather events this year, built stronger relationships, have taken significant preparation and are leveraging local knowledge to best deliver in the
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areas that have been impacted by the weather events. Particularly with the feedback we are receiving from people on the ground in severely impacted areas about their limited bandwidth for any more engagement, EC has
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responded and prepared comprehensively in response to, and to be prepared for, weather disruption, particularly in the more isolated impacted areas.
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gaps? Assurance Regardless of this, we may find ourselves being closely scrutinised should further events occur or if there is reduced participation in these areas. It is important that we acknowledge the other factors that may influence less
er
y
than ideal outcomes, should they arise.
assessment
GAPS: We don’t have detailed planning to level we have in Central North Island, , South Island region and to a lesser degree in Auckland and North, across all of New Zealand. I don’t see this as an issue as it 1responds to the
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likelihood and level of risk of significant weather disruption, and it is impossible to be prepared for every individual scenario. Our threat agnostic preparations look sensible and proportionate for potential weather disruption
events.
Environmental
Historically, enrolment and voting participation has been lower for voters of Māori descent. This
may be due to Western centric approaches and greater disenchantment with and poorer social
Enterprise Deep Dive: Services to Māori
21 July
driver description outcomes. Te Tiriti article 3 expectations of equality also drive the Commission to make
dedicated efforts to enable Māori participation, ideally to an equivalent level of participation as
2023
with Pakeha.
The Commission’s history of not effectively
New Zealand’s estimated Māori
Poorly designed or targeted engagement with Māori
Meaningful relationships with Māori
identifying and addressing low participation or
population is 892,200 (17.4%),
could diminish trust in the electoral process and
Key factors
and iwi leaders across
designing services for Māori also exposes EC to to
573,800 aged 18+ . Total Māori
lead to missed opportunities to generate interest.
communities.
that
ing
What is
scrutiny as we address the gap. Poor or
enrolled across all rolls as at 14 July
How may
This could further limit efficacy of services to a
Appropriate information campaigns
influence
insufficiently broad/targeted with Māori and iwi
Key
2023: 506,077.
population that is already underrepresented and
and education materials at different
sh
xte the risk
this risk or
our success
t
groups could lead to continued low participation
data Māori are growing in population 2%
struggling with historic and socio-economic barriers
that the
issue
periods of election campaign.
1.
Is the purpose of engagement and our role
annually compared by 0.2% of the
to participation.
in this space
Board
impact
Simple, user-centric, culturally
abli
and objectives clear as we pursue this work
national population. A higher
Lower Māori enrolment and voter turnout numbers
(internal
appropriate processes.
t
specifically 2. Do we have relationships with all Māori and
proportion of Māori are younger.
us?
could harm EC's reputation.
and
s
Con
Good information about
iwi groups?
need to be
E
We have ~265 identified
Regardless of trend, the scope of ECs activities are
external)
participation to inform business
3.
Does EC have the sufficient capability
concerned
stakeholders of which we can see 85
likely to be criticised as both too little by those who
planning / prioritisation.
to support meaningful engagement
about?
are specifically Kaupapa Māori or
advocate support that results in equitable
Timing of engagement and
and service design?
iwi/hapu.
participation, and too much by others.
operational planning for it.
4.
Are we prioritising our efforts appropriately?
Staff involved: Enrolment; Comms; Strategic
Staff involved: Voting Services; Comms; P&C; SEP; Māori Advisory
Staff involved: Māori Advisory; Strategy Governance and
engagement and partnerships (SEP)
Development; Enterprise Services, Operations
Key area 1
Key area 2
Goals: Deliver voting services which will meet the needs of Māori
Key area 3
Goals: Get information to Māori to exercise their
Goals: Awareness of and increase in Māori capability in the
ies
rights
Enrolment
Supporting
Activities: -14 Kaupapa Māori Voting Places deployed across all
Other
Commission to better enable engagement with Māori across
it
Māori Electorates to deliver a whānau centric voting service to all
our work programmes and approaches. Sharing information
Activities: - On ground activities /partnering with
Voting
participation
New Zealand voters including whānau who wish to engage in the
and getting insights on our work programmes and
iwi and other groups to support MEO and
voting process via their own Kaupapa and in te reo Māori.
in electoral
approaches from Māori.
enrolment (e.g. Matariki Ki-o-Rahi Challenge at
activ
17 Priority areas centrally identified and further areas identified by
system –
Taipa Area School in Doubtless Bay, 27 June )
EMs: Identify and focus on priority electorate communities where
input into
Activities:
-
MEO campaign included advertising on TV,
percentage of Māori population is higher than the national average;
Iwi Chairs relationship, including feedback and insights on
on
wider policy in
Parts of business /
radio and online, with our website and free-
in these regions we have built relationships with community
enrolment and voting services work for Māori
the Electoral
project involved,
phone number with more information, and
advocates who are helping staff to locate voting places in locations
-
Relationships with other agencies which enables
issi what they have
community face-to-face. Overall 39,949
of significance to Māori and advise how to reach local people . 40
Commision;
leveraging of wider public sector engagement
considered, and
changes by Māori during the campaign.
marae VPs
other
-
Communications being made in dialects of te reo
the goals they wish - Comms
-
Promote and recruit whanau to access employment
relationships,
relevant to regions deployed.
to realise.
opportunities in the Commission- recruitment campaign
-
Ngā Maihii strategy to lift EC capability
Regular activities –support to Māori available
services and
Summarise key
includes Māori specific activities.
-
Working through our relationships to recruit, second and
Comm
through normal registering /enquiries channel,
-
Strategic relationships with Māori
partnerships;
activities being
offer internships/graduate programmes for Māori.
telephone services in te reo available from now
undertaken to
-
Communications and channels includes many initiatives – see
-
Utilise our growing relationships, including with Iwi chairs,
until GE.
prepare, address or
July Board update.
to inform EC strategy and operational policy.
respond.
In July, the Board received the Delivery plan
How does
All engagement feedback is collated and reviewed for future
GE:
What visibility
for GE23: services to Māori .
management action (but not for this election unless it is feedback on
For voting place staff numbers and recruitment
has the Board
operations already in train).
monitor and
What key
generally, staff ethnicity is being monitored and
had of key
maintain
information
compared to overall electorate demographics. Where
Forthcoming:
Management monitor engagement activities at an aggregate
or
priority areas are not receiving desired application
oring programmes
confidence in
Continued updates as part of GE programme
level.
milestones
numbers, some levers may be available as the election
it and how the
these areas?
updates, including specific updates on
risk is being
will trigger
draws closer (i.e. contingency is considering extra
recruitment
How is
Enquiries and other contacts are also monitored as part of
activities or incentives which may be applied.)
dealt with?
success
action?
normal reporting channels.
Mon
monitored?
General: All feedback is being collated for
What is the
Items relating to Māori engagement may be escalated
consideration at a later stage to shape further activities
trend?
through existing reporting channels as relevant.
and long- term strategy and planning.
,
Overall the Commission has increased its work and upscaled both the number of engagements and the quality of the relationships with Māori in the last few years, and it is heartening to see this increase. However, from a
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reputational risk perspective, the steps we are taking are initial steps on a journey to address a long history of not taking a Māori lens to activities, and I think it likely that we will be open to criticism for doing too little (by those
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who want immediate equitable participation outcomes). We are also being scrutinised for doing too much (by those who don’t accept a gap) and Our strong purpose of enabling participation, and the data on participation
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gaps?
means our activities are both rationally justified and needed. Unfortunately critics and polarising elements of society may not follow the same decision making pathways.
Assurance
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y
Our relationships and operational culture need to be supported on this journey. Further thinking and strategic goals to better enable Māori participation can be monitored by management and the Board and that enable
assessment
decision making throughout the Commission will help us as we take this journey. Gaps that could helpfully be addressed include a Commission position on navigating political neutrality when working with and f2or Māori to
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assist our teams to confidently engage. As we continue to break down silos within the Commission, build relationships and build a longer- term planning cycle, I think we will continue to see material improvements in the
impact that Māori engagement has in delivering the outcomes we seek – particularly equitable levels of participation across NZ demographics.
Document Outline
