Local Government Elections Nominations Open

This week, nominations open for candidates wanting to stand in this year’s local authority elections.

Candidate nominations open on Friday 23 July.

Anyone wanting to stand for Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, Hastings District Council, Napier City Council, Central Hawke’s Bay District Council or Wairoa District Council, or the Hawke’s Bay District Health Board should get their nominations in before noon of the closing date of Friday 20 August. A public notice in local papers this week gives full information on the elections.

In Hawke’s Bay the five councils and the DHB are working together to increase awareness of the election and the steps involved, with information in local newspapers and on radio.

Candidates need to contact the electoral officer for the specific organisation they want to stand for and for any candidate meetings being held.

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.

Voters should have received information about their electoral roll listing in the mail recently. Anyone who has not received a pack or needs to change details should do so as soon as possible so they can receive their voting papers. Voting papers will be sent out from 17 September and must be received back before noon on Saturday 9 October.

An elections portal has been launched this year to assist voters to find out more about candidates and for candidates to address particular issues of concern in their electorates. Go to www.elections2010.co.nz.

For further information on standing as a candidate, contact the electoral officer for the District Health Board or relevant Council.