This year’s local government elections have seen the lowest voter turnout in 36 years, with less than a third - or 32% - bothering to have their say.

Of those who did, the contrast between the urban rural divide was stark. In metro areas, only 28.8% cast their votes, provincial people made up 38.3% while rural turnout was 43.6%

Local Government New Zealand says it is clear local elections have to change urgently - they'd like  to see a voter turnout of at  least 80%.

University of Otago Law Professor Andrew Geddis told Kerre Woodham that moving away from postal ballots could be the way forward. 

'We can't keep using postal ballots because the postal service is disintegrating.' 

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