How Gisborne district councillors use social media to engage with constituents

Gisborne district councillors spoken to by Local Democracy Reporting all used traditional forms of communication to engage constituents, but some found social media a "really useful tool".

From a millennial councillor with over 30,000 followers on their personal social media account to those who prefer to avoid it. Local Democracy Reporting asked Gisborne district councillors how they engage with residents and whether social media is a useful tool.

While some elected members find social media a source of misinformation and time-consuming, others say it’s a useful way to reach residents.

A Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) learning module on social media had been “a popular module with younger members”, an LGNZ spokesperson said.

All of the councillors who responded to Local Democracy said they still interacted with the community either in person, by email, phone or text.

However, social media use was far more varied.

Mayor Rehette Stoltz, 49, said there had been more interaction since the rise of social media. But she found that most meaningful engagements happened via email, phone or in person.

Social media pages, especially those without formal administration or terms of engagement, were “often sources of misinformation and any attempt to correct it is shot down”, she said.

“I am in constant contact with constituents. That is a huge part of my day, every day. I have learned over time that traditional ways of interaction (phone, email, in-person) often are the best way to share the correct information and answer questions thoroughly.”

Councillor Debbie Gregory, 59, said in her first six years on council, when she was tagged in any social media posts, she encouraged people to email her.

“I look at agendas and choose who to contact if required,” she said. “I have a personal policy not to comment online after some negative experiences. It can be time-consuming and pointless in some cases.”

Gregory uses social media as a tool to stay informed on council complaints by being a member of popular community Facebook groups.

“In many cases it is difficult to refrain from commenting, but if I do, it can ruin a whole day.”

In recent months, Gregory has answered a few queries on Facebook where she had all the information and was able to “put things right”, which was well received.

“So I might reconsider my social media policy in the future.”

First-term councillor Samuel Gibson, 36, has over 30,000 followers on social media, where he shares his passion for the outdoors.

It is a platform he grew before becoming a councillor. During his campaigning in the last election, he started another page to promote his council ambitions.

“It’s my most prominent tool of communication so far,” he said.

Gibson finds social media “really useful” in gaining public feedback and informing residents on what is coming up in council and what he is doing.

“I do an update each week when we are having hui.”

Most constituents were active on social media, rather than reading the council report or the council website, he said.

“I use reels as the algorithm works better this way. I sum up what’s happening in layman’s terms and it gets quite a lot of feedback.”

Quite a lot of comments thanked him “for keeping folks informed”, he said.

Depending on how councillors phrased things, it could be an issue with the Local Government Official Information Act and rules, such as being perceived to have your mind already made up before a meeting, Gibson said.

Stoltz said before meetings she did not use Facebook, but might be in contact with a resident if they were interested in an upcoming issue or decision.

As the council Facebook page covered most operational issues, she did not feel the need to re-post or duplicate the operational content on her ‘Mayor Rehette Stoltz’ page.

She uses the page to share some engagements with constituents, and tries to post once a week – “sometimes more, sometimes less”.

“I cannot share every event or interaction as it will take me an hour or two every day to make that happen in a meaningful way.”

Her page makes it clear that if a constituent would like to discuss council issues, they can reach her on her Gisborne District Council email address or by cellphone.

“I also extend an open invitation to join me for a cuppa in my office.”

Long-term councillor Larry Foster, 72, and in his fifth term (the first from 1989 and the last four consecutively), said he did not use social media, apart from occasionally using the council Facebook page. However, he did use WhatsApp, as councillors used it to circulate information.

LGNZ learning experience manager Tania Hawkins said social media was one of the tools councillors could use to “engage constructively and authentically” with their communities.

Councillors received guidance from an LGNZ-run learning and development programme called Ākona.

“Ākona has several sections focused on community engagement, including an ‘Ako hour’ on the safe and effective use of social media,” Hawkins said. “This has been a popular module with younger members, especially.”