Frugal campaign costs declared
A low number of candidates could be why there were no big campaign spenders among the 13 candidates who contested a place on the Matamata-Piako District Council.
Only two of the candidates exceeded $1500 in campaign costs, from the 2016 local government election.
In just over a year, candidates will be called on to contest the 2019 election, and to review their campaign budgets.
In 2016, mayoral candidate Jan Barnes, the three Te Aroha ward candidates and the four Morrinsville ward candidates were elected unopposed because the number of candidates was equal to the number of seats.
The only contest was in Matamata where there were five candidates for four seats.
Population determined campaign budget limits.
In the Matamata ward there were 13,350 people and the campaign limit was $14,000. In the Morrinsville ward there were 12,300 people and the limit was $14,000 and in Te Aroha there were 8020 and the limit, $7000.
Candidates had to declare campaign expenses and donations, if it totalled more than $1500.
Successful mayoral candidate Jan Barnes spent $3226 on her 2016 election. It compared to the $12,666 she spent on her 2013 campaign.
Matamata ward councillor Brian Hunter declared $1881 for his 2016 campaign, when he spent $1964 in 2013.
Candidate Joanne Aoake spent $1381 on her campaign but was not successful in 2016 while Matamata ward councillor Adrienne Wilcock spent $1661.
Matamata ward councillor Kevin Tappin recorded $350 for his 2016 campaign but in 2013 spent $2345.
Matamata ward councillor James Sainsbury declared ‘‘nil’’ on his return sheet.
Councillor Ash Tanner spent $120 on his 2016 campaign standing in Te Aroha but spent $4995 on his campaign in 2013.
Te Aroha ward councillor Peter Jager declared ‘‘nil’’ for 2016 but spent $493 in 2013. Teena Cornes, also a Te Aroha ward councillor, declared ‘‘nil’’ for 2016 but spent $939 in 2013.
In Morrinsville, all of the candidates declared ‘‘nil’’. Paul Cronin and Donna Arnold did not contest the 2013 election but Neil Goodger and James Thomas did, and spent $4136 and $1683 respectively.