Nominations open for would-be regional councillors

10 June, 2022

People keen to become involved in local body politics and help shape Northland’s future are being encouraged to stand at this year’s local authority elections in October.

An official candidate nomination period starts on July 15, and Northland’s four councils are collectively keen to encourage a diverse range of people to run for office.

Local authorities have begun hosting information meetings across the North with the first event held in Whangarei on June 22.

For people interested in standing for the Northland Regional Council, future councillor information sessions will also be held in Kaitaia and Kaikohe, and for Kaipara contenders who missed the Whangarei session:

· Virtual Elections Hui; 7pm-8pm Thursday July 14 (hosted by Northland Regional Council)

· Dargaville; 5pm Thursday July 28 (hosted by Northland Regional Council) Sportsville, Memorial Park, Logan St.

Nominations for candidates officially open on July 15. Anyone keen to stand as a candidate for one of the nine positions on the Northland Regional Council will have from July 15 until noon on August 12 to get their nominations in.

Regional council electoral officer Dale Ofsoske says anyone aged 18 and over can stand for election provided they’re a New Zealand citizen and enrolled on the Parliamentary electoral roll.

In the regional council’s case seven general councillors will be elected from seven general constituencies (one from each) and two Maori councillors elected from a region-wide Maori constituency (Te Raki).

The general constituencies are Far North, Coastal Central, Coastal South, Kaipara, Mid North, Whangarei Central and Bay of Islands-Whangaroa.

Candidate information booklets are available on the Northland Regional Council website.

Nomination forms will be available from July 15 from any regional council office, by phoning (0800) 002 004 or downloading one from the council’s website nrc.govt.nz/elections2022.

Voting documents will be sent out from September 16 and must be received by the Electoral Officer by noon on election day, October 08.