Sometimes democracy begins around a table. Sometimes it begins in a gathering with whānau (extended family) where kai (a meal) is shared, stories are told, and courage is quietly born in conversation. This is where we begin. We were just ten days away from the close of local elections, what you might call city elections.
In Aotearoa, or New Zealand, these elections happen every three years, usually in October. This is community-based democracy at its heart, rooted in participation, where residents help shape the future of their towns, cities, and regions. This is how communities decide who makes choices about local issues such as water, housing, roads, parks, libraries, and the well-being of community members.
