Turangi-Tongariro by-election underway

Taupo District Council is holding a by-election in the Turangi-Tongariro ward to fill the seat vacated by Tayte Cozens who resigned from the area’s community board in October 2007.

Voting packs were sent yesterday to the 3,523 voters currently listed on the Turangi-Tongariro ward roll. Voters will be tasked with voting for one candidate from the four candidates nominated.

Electionz.com have been contracted to run the by-election which is estimated to cost between $10,000 and $15,000. Electionz.com manages the election process for more than 30 other local government units around New Zealand.

Deputy Electoral Officer Colin Morrell says while the Council didn’t anticipate having to run a by-election, it is obligated to do so under the Local Electoral Act.

“It is unfortunate that we must go down this route however the legislation is quite clear that we must go through the by-election process,” said Mr Morrell.

Community Board Chairman Don Ormsby commented “The aim was to get the process underway as quickly as possible so that the board (Turangi/Tongariro Community Board) can move forwards and address our community’s needs with a fully representative team.”

Voting papers can be returned by post, or handed in to the Council’s Turangi, Taupo or Mangakino offices. Voting papers must be returned by 12pm on Tuesday 12 February.