Candidate information

Being a candidate in Local Government elections means stepping into the public eye. With that comes increased scrutiny, and unfortunately, it may also raise the risk of abuse or harassment directed at you or your family.

It’s important to take proactive steps to help keep yourself and your loved ones safe during this time. If you experience serious threats or harassment, you should report them to the Police. For situations that may not warrant police involvement but are still concerning, there are some useful resources below.

Some practical steps to consider include:

• Use campaign-specific social media accounts rather than your personal ones and restrict access where possible.
• Set up a dedicated campaign email address or phone number instead of using personal or work contact details.
• Be aware of your surroundings when attending public events — know where exits are and stay mindful of your environment.
• Consider your responses in difficult situations. If someone becomes agitated, try to remain calm and look for an opportunity to signal for help or safely end the conversation.

Balancing your public presence with personal safety can be challenging. You want to engage with the community and share your vision while also protecting yourself and those close to you. It’s important to consider how you will manage this balance.

Remember: abuse and harassment are never acceptable. Your election campaign should be an exciting and rewarding experience. For many candidates it is. However, being prepared and informed can help you handle any challenges that may arise.

Here is a list of other resources that offer advice on safety:

• Security advice for candidates
• women.govt.nz/womens-safety/free-lead-toolkit
• ownyouronline.govt.nz/personal/get-protected/guides/how-to-protect-your- privacy-online/
• Online abuse and harassment - Netsafe - What to do | Netsafe