Time running out for would-be regional councillors

People keen to stand for the Northland Regional Council at this year’s local body elections have less than two weeks left to get their official nominations in.

The official cut off for nominations for those wanting to contest the Saturday October 12 elections is noon on Friday 16 August.

Council Electoral Official Vibeke Wright says of 8.30am today (subs: Mon 05 August) the council had received just three official nominations.

They are; Simon Land (Hokianga/Kaikohe constituency) Bill Rossiter (Whangarei Urban) and Bill Shepherd (Coastal North constituency).

Ms Wright says many would-be candidates leave it until quite close to the deadline to file their nominations and she expects that this election will be no different with the usual flurry of names received with a day or two to go.

However, she urges prospective candidates not to leave it too late to ensure all requirements are met and that their nomination is fully and properly processed well before 16 August deadline.

Ms Wright says anyone over the age of 18 can stand for election as long as they are a New Zealand citizen and enrolled on the electoral roll.

Changes signed off by the Local Government Commission earlier this year that these elections Northlanders will vote for nine regional councillors (one more than currently elected) representing seven, smaller constituencies across the North.

Those constituencies are Te Hiku, Hokianga-Kaikohe, Coastal North (two councillors), Coastal Central, Whangarei Urban (two councillors), Coastal South and Kaipara.

At the last local body elections in 2010, 25 hopefuls contested the eight regional council seats available at that time.

Ms Wright says nomination forms and candidate information booklets are available from any Northland Regional Council office as well as from all three district councils’ offices.

Copies can also be obtained by phoning (0800) 002 004 or downloaded from the council’s website via www.nrc.govt.nz/elections 

Voting documents will be sent out from Friday 20 September and must be returned in the envelope provided by noon on Election Day, Saturday 12 October.

ENDS

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