Media Update: Waikato District Council, 16.08.2016
Below is a revised media release.
Electoral Officer, Dale Ofsoske has sought legal advice on the candidates elected unopposed to the Raglan Community Board. Legally an election must proceed even though the outcome will likely be the same. This is to confirm the board’s composition following Lisa Thomson’s unopposed election to the position of Raglan Ward Councillor.
At close of nominations the following were received for the Raglan Community Board:
- PJ Haworth
- Rangi Kereopa
- Bob MacLeod (Raglan Residents & Ratepayers)
- Tony Oosten
- Gabrielle Parson
- Lisa Thomson
- Alan Vink
At close of nominations the following nomination was received for the Raglan Ward Councillor:
- Lisa Thomson
Revised Media Update: Waikato District Council, 16.08.2016
74 people have thrown their hats in the ring as candidates in the upcoming Waikato District Council elections.
When the deadline for nominations passed at midday Friday there were:
- Five nominations for Mayor
- 22 nominations for Ward Councillor
- 42 nominations for Community Boards
- Five nominations for the Te Kauwhata Licensing Trust.
Electoral Officer, Dale Ofsoske says he is pleased with the level of interest from the community.
The following candidates have been elected unopposed:
- Rob McGuire, Councillor for the Eureka Ward
- Dynes Fulton, Councillor for the Hukanui-Waerenga Ward
- Noel Smith, Councillor for the Newcastle Ward
- Lisa Thomson, Councillor for the Raglan Ward
- Jan Sedgwick, Councillor for the Whangamarino Ward
- Nireen Jefferis member for the Te Kauwhata Licensing Trust
- Gerald Jackson member for the Te Kauwhata Licensing Trust
- Alastair Cullen member for the Te Kauwhata Licensing Trust
- Mohan Singh member for the Te Kauwhata Licensing Trust
- Pip Prattley member for the Te Kauwhata Licensing Trust
A by-election will be held to fill the remaining vacancy in the Te Kauwhata Licensing Trust.
Mr Ofsoske says it is disappointing to not have enough candidates stand for the Te Kauwhata Licensing Trust.
A full list of candidates is available at www.votewaikato.co.nz/candidates.
Soon voters will be able to have their say on who represents them, their whanau and their community for the next three years.
To have your say you need to be enrolled to vote.
Although electoral rolls closed Friday, you can still enrol to vote.
- Visit www.elections.org.nz to enrol
- Freephone 0800 36 76 56, or free-text your name and address to 3676
- Visit any PostShop for an enrolment form.
For more information visit www.votewaikato.co.nz
At least it might sort out the need for a Raglan23 poll on who should be chair. But, as it’s not going to change anything else and as it gives a chance to write in other candidates and spoil the ballot paper, Raglan23 might remain a more accurate poll.
Seems an odd interpretation of “A person elected as a councillor and a community board member within the same ward/ community district, is deemed to be elected as a councillor and a community board member but is then deemed to have vacated the office as a community board member, and the next highest polling community board candidate is elected. (If there is no highest polling unsuccessful candidate, in this instance, an extraordinary vacancy occurs and a by-election is required) (sections 88A, 88B, Local Electoral Act 2001).” http://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/Council/About-us/Our-council/Local-Authority-Elections/Candidates/Regional-council-candidates-2016/
The poll at least asks the specific question about who should be Chair. Yes the WDC u-turn does seem an odd interpretation of the rule. We’ve come to expect odd and quirky things from dub dee cee.