The Electoral Officers for Hawke’s Bay’s five Councils and Hawke’s Bay District Health Board are working together to promote enrolling, voting, and new candidates to stand for the 2019 local body and District Health Board elections on October 12.

Collectively, the Councils want to increase the number of young voters - those aged between 18 and 24 - and voters of all ages in general.

While the total number of Hawke’s Bay people who cast a vote in 2016 was better than the national average, this was still only a 42% turnout, and less than half of all eligible voters aged over 18.

Wairoa has always had a strong tradition of voter turnout and it is hoped that trend will continue.

Wairoa had a voter turnout of 63% and is keen to increase the turnout across the district by encouraging everyone in the community to enrol and to vote.

Also important for Wairoa is that the electoral system will change this year with the introduction of Maori Wards.

This mean electors will enrol in either the General or Maori roll, and electors are able to vote for candidates in the roll they are standing in.

More information about the changes to Wairoa’s ward system will be available in the coming months

Voting means you can have your say on who represents you and makes decisions on your and your community’s behalf, helping to shape the future of your local and regional councils, and Hawke’s Bay District Health Board (HBDHB).

Nationwide, councils look after a huge range of community assets worth billions, including libraries, parks, playgrounds and pools, 90% of New Zealand’s road network, the bulk of the country’s water and wastewater networks and the environment we all depend on.

The HBDHB is a Crown Entity and the Government’s funder and provider of public health and disability services across the region.

It spends close to $600 million per year, or approximately $1.6 million a day, on providing health care to Hawke’s Bay people.

The DHB is the region’s largest employer and works with consumers, stakeholder communities and other health and disability organisations to plan and coordinate equitable, effective and timely health care.

Anyone who will turn 18 by the time of the elections is able to pre-enrol now. They will then be automatically enrolled on their 18th birthday.

Key dates:

· 19 July Nominations open for candidates
· 16 August Nominations close at 12 noon, and the electoral rolls close
· 21 August Electoral officers to publicise candidates’ names
· 20-25 September Voting papers delivered to households
· 12 October Voting papers must be at the council before voting closes at 12 noon. Preliminary results will be available as soon as possible afterwards.
· 17-23 October Official results declared.

For more information about standing, enrolling, and voting in your local community visit your Council’s website, www.wairoadc.govt.nz

28 May 2019

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