Runners ready for big race

Five people, including four incumbent councillors, have thrown their hats into the ring for the vacant Matamata-Piako mayoralty.

Five-term mayor Hugh Vercoe is stepping down and having a crack at a Waikato Regional Council seat, with current deputy mayor Jan Barnes and council counterparts Neil Goodger, Garry Stanley and Ash Tanner, plus Ken Mahon, looking to take the top job. Seven people are vying for four Morrinsville Ward seats on council, with incumbent Carole Greenville stepping down this year.

Matamata has eight candidates running for four positions.

In Te Aroha, six people are challenging for the three available seats on council.

The new Waihou Ward on Waikato Regional Council, which covers Piako, has four candidates chasing two seats.

Seven vacancies on Waikato District Health Board, not based on geographic wards, will be contested by 20 people. Election day is October 12. For more information on the local body elections contact electoral officer Sandy Barnes on 07 884 0060 or see mpdc.govt.nz

Matamata-Piako District Council

Mayoral nominations (1 position): Jan Barnes, Neil Goodger, Ken Mahon, Garry Stanley, Ash Tanner.

Matamata Ward nominations (4 positions): Shannon Crawford, Brian Hunter, Bob McGrail, James Sainsbury, Garry Stanley, Kevin Tappin, Leonie Tisch and Delia Gillett.

Morrinsville Ward nominations (4 positions): Anthony Arnet, Neil Goodger, Mike Gribble, Ann Linstrom, Nicki Robb, Maurice Steffert, James Thomas.

Te Aroha Ward nominations (3 positions): Teena Cornes, Wolfgang Faber, Noel Harvey-Webb, Peter Jager, Mary Massey, Ash Tanner.

Waikato Regional Council

Waihou General Constituency (two seats): Norm Barker, Stuart Husband, Phillip Legg, Hugh Vercoe.

Waikato District Health Board

(7 vacancies): Clint Baddeley, Crystal Beavis, Andrew Buckley, Megan Campbell, Javed Chaudhry, Sally Christie, Pat Cittadini, Brian Farrell, Martin Gallagher, Ryan Hamilton, Maxine Hodgson, Phylis Huitema, Stanley Koshy, Sally Lee, Pippa Mahood, Seema Menon, Navin Rajan, Hugh Spooner, Clyde Wade, Ewan Wilson.