South Auckland councillor to stand down at next elections

A south Auckland councillor has decided she will not seek re-election at next year's local body elections.

Angela Dalton will retire from local politics after five years and serving two terms as Manurewa-Papakura councillor.

Dalton, one of eight female councillors in Tāmaki Makaurau, was first elected in 2019.

"It is important to know when to step aside and let new blood come through with new ideas, perspectives, and vision for the next generation," Dalton said.

"I have met amazing people throughout my political career."

Dalton, no stranger to local politics, served as a community board member under Manukau City Council in 2007.

She was then elected to the Manurewa Local Board in 2010 as deputy chair and took over as chair in 2012 for seven years.

"My proudest wins have been through empowering communities to deliver the outcomes they want for their communities by removing the bureaucratic barriers and walking alongside them to create the community they want to live in."

As a councillor, Dalton served in several committees, currently as the chair of the Community Committee and deputy chair for the Policy and Planning Committee and the Southern Rural Strategy Working Group.

Photo/Mary Afemata

She said the most significant political losses occur when politicians care more about the populist vote for themselves " than doing the right thing for their community."

"I have seen policy fail that would have supported my residents to achieve more simply due to others toeing an ideology or political party line."

Dalton said she would love to see more women put their names forward for local elections.

"I believe it is important to have a women’s voice at the decision-making table.

"I encourage any woman who is interested in serving her community through being an elected member to put her name forward."

The Auckland local body elections will be held on 9 September 2025.

Candidate nominations open on 4 July and close on 1 August.

Torika Tokalau is a local democracy reporter at Stuff.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.