The key local election races and why you should be paying attention

Voting documents will soon be sent out, inviting enrolled New Zealanders to cast their votes in the local elections. While this is meant to be an important part of the democratic process, participation in local elections has been woeful in recent decades, sitting at around 42 per cent. But this time, the stakes are higher. Numerous councils are in disarray and conspiracy theorists are encouraging their supporters to put forward candidates. So will this be enough to encourage New Zealanders to head to the polls? And what price will we pay for a lack of participation?    Today, Wellington issues reporter and host of On the Tiles – Local Edition, Georgina Campbell, joins Damien to discuss the battles shaping up in New Zealand’s local politics.     Follow The Front Page on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts. You can read more about this and other stories in the New Zealand Herald, online at nzherald.co.nz, or tune in to news bulletins across the NZME network. Host: Damien VenutoEditor/Producer: Shaun D WilsonExecutive Producer: Ethan SillsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.