Photo: Nick Monro
The price of having a public face, especially for women, is having to deal with a rising tide of abuse. It could have a chilling effect on local body election candidates this year.
High-profile Kiwi women have increasingly been the target of online harm and abuse, and a government minister fears the growing phenomenon will deter women from stepping into leadership roles and engaging in public and political life.
Auckland councillor Josephine Bartley tells The Detail she considered not standing in this year's local government elections in October after copping a barrage of threats and abuse since becoming the first Pasifika woman elected to Auckland Council in 2018.
"I do think that, if I am being honest," Bartley replied when asked if she had ever thought about stepping away from the job because the abuse had become too much.
"I have my selection tonight [Monday] about whether to get the nomination to stand again, and it is a very real thought in my head - 'do I want to do this again?'."
She did ultimately stand, her love for the job and her community winning out in the end.
"But people cross the line, they don't come at you on the issue, they come at you personally. Sometimes, people go that extra mile, saying you are a violent black dog that needs to be put down.
"When there are things like that, it's a worry because you don't know how far they are going to go and if they are going to do anything to your loved ones to try and hurt you."
Bartley, who has required security and police protection in the past, now refuses to post photographs on social media of her family, including her nieces and nephews, for their safety - "it does have an impact, it really does".
She says sadly, she's not alone.
"Even the mayor [Wayne Brown] is getting it, he raised it as part of the Western Springs meeting last week, citing one of his reasons for not allowing them to appear in the meeting is because of the death threats he received. People just go too far. You don't have to threaten other people's lives to make a point."
In response to this kind of abuse, Minister for Women Nicola Grigg has launched a new toolkit to help support women and their employers address online harm.
Developed in collaboration with online safety organisation Netsafe, it includes interactive educational modules, practical resources, and real-world case studies from women in leadership and public-facing roles. It offers insights and strategies for overcoming digital harm.
At the same time, Local Government New Zealand has released advice for people putting themselves forward for councils, saying public abuse is having a chilling effect.
High profile broadcaster and therapist Polly Gillespie tells The Detail she welcomes the new toolkit and advice, saying it would have made a difference during the height of her radio and television fame, when she received bomb threats and "crazy letters" delivered to her doorstep after she supported same sex marriage.
She required security and police protection.
"I do have my firearms license," she said when asked if she feared for her life.
While the threats have not been as extreme in recent years, the public feedback on social media has been hurtful and personal, with her looks being targeted. That is where the toolkit can help, she says.
"This toolkit is brilliant. Basically, it says, 'Don't be scared; you need a voice; it's important'. It will show you the things you need to keep yourself safe, like how to set boundaries and security. It tells you what is harmful and where you can go to get help. It's basically a workshop that teaches you how to be safe and still have a voice.
"It's good for women who are in the media, women who have a high profile, women in business, employers, and regular everyday wonderful wāhine who want to know how to be themselves on social media and be safe. It's really cool and easy."
Gillespie refuses to let the haters win and is now considering putting herself forward and standing for parliament next year.
"I was thinking of running for government next year and people said, 'oh you will have to be thick-skinned' and 'oh it will be awful' but everything I have done, mistakes and all, is already out there," she says.
"There's not much people can say about me that they haven't already said.
"But I also think there are lots of young women, young leaders, who should also have a voice and shouldn't be deterred... they might see the flak that others get but with this new toolkit, they will see they can get support and there is a place to go for help and protection if they are being bullied and harassed."
Gillespie would not confirm which political party she is favouring for a potential run next year, but did reveal "it's clear I'm not a right-wing person".
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