It’s that time again where we start gearing up for local government elections. Election Day is October 12, but things will officially kick off this month with nominations for candidates officially opening on July 19.

Your electoral officers for this year’s elections are Kitea Tipuna (Electoral Officer) and Juanita Savage (Deputy Electoral Officer).

Kitea Tipuna says that Wairoa has a proud history of participating in local government elections.

“Wairoa has rated in the top of the region for voter turnout in the last few elections ranging between 60%-65%. We were the second highest district in the country for voter turnout in 2013 and we’re aiming to maintain and improve on this great record.”

“Our people are very civic minded, we have a strong belief in making sure our voices are heard during elections. This is why it is important to us when it comes to getting the vote out.”

“There are conversations that are occurring everywhere from who would be good candidates, what are the key issues for Wairoa to making sure local infrastructure is affordable, sustainable and cost effective.”

“Election season is always an exciting time for us, we get to vote on a Mayor and Councillors for the Wairoa District Council, we get to vote on the Wairoa Councillor for the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and we also get to vote on members for the Hawke’s Bay District Health Board. All really important organisations that we as electors have the ability to determine once every three years and we in Wairoa take this very seriously. It’s really important to us that we have our say.

STAND

If you are interested in standing or nominating someone to stand in this year’s elections, you can pick up a candidate handbook from the Wairoa District Council offices or download a copy from the website. It will have all the relevant information you require and if you need any further information, please contact your electoral officers at Council.

One of the big changes for us this year will be the implementation of Māori Wards. What this means is that you will have the opportunity to vote for a Mayor and also a maximum of three Councillors in either the Māori or General Ward, this is dependent on the roll you are on (Māori or General).

In terms of standing as a candidate, you can either stand as a Māori or General ward councillor.

You can’t stand as a councillor in both wards.

The main thing is that your two nominees must be enrolled in the ward you wish to stand.

ENROL

It’s important you are enrolled.

You should have received a letter from the Electoral Commission this week confirming your enrolment. If nothing has changed, you don’t need to do anything further.

If you are unsure, visit the Electoral Commission website and search ‘check your enrolment’.

It’s really easy to confirm if you are enrolled. You must be enrolled to vote.

VOTE

All local elections are held by postal vote. Voting papers are posted to all voters who are enrolled about a month before voting starts. You must be enrolled to vote in local elections.

Only people who are correctly enrolled will receive their voting papers in the mail.

More Information

Visit the Electoral Commission and the elections section on the Wairoa District Council websites for more information about standing as a candidate, enroling and voting in the 2019 Local Government Elections.

4 July 2019

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