Council announces candidates

The number of candidates for this year’s Far North District Council elections has dropped to 52, compared with 77 in 2013.

Incumbent mayor John Carter has just one challenger in Kerikeri resident Peter Gill.

Elections will be held on October 8 where voters will elect the mayor, councillors and community board members for three wards.

Council will release the official results of the election on October 15.

Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Ward nominations for four councillor seats are: Harko Brown, Ann Court, Patrick Crawshaw, Dave Hookway, Jane Johnston, Tania McInnes, Steve McNally, Willow-Jean Prime and Fred Terry.

Te Hiku Ward nominations for three councillor seats are: Lawrie Atkinson, David Collard, Felicity Foy, Adele Gardner, Karena Hita, Colin Kitchen, Mate Radich, David Senior and Hazely Windelborn.

Kaikohe-Hokianga Ward nominations for two councillor seats are: Owen Emery, Babe Kapa, Sally Macauley and John Vujcich.

Issues likely to be discussed during this year’s election include rates increases, council debt, roading and sewerage schemes.

Council CEO Colin Dale also says in the Pre-Election Report that providing infrastructure including digital infrastructure and the local economy are issues for council to address.

Ten community board members have already been elected unopposed, compared with four in 2013 and seven in 2010.

There are 18 community board candidates left vying for nine positions.

The Te Hiku Ward community board includes the North Cape, Kaitaia, Whatuwhihi and Doubtless Bay subdivisions.

Bay of Islands Whangaroa Ward includes the subdivisions of Whangaroa, Kerikeri, Paihia, Russell and Kawakawa-Moerewa.

Kaikohe, North Hokianga and South Hokianga subdivisions are all represented in the KaikoheHokianga Ward community board.

The Northland District Health Board positions have attracted 21 candidates for the seven elected seats on the board.

While the board has 11 members up to four other members may be appointed by the Minister of Health to fill any gaps in the expertise needed for the DHB to best achieve its functions Two candidates for the Mayoralty. 22 candidates for nine councillor seats.

28 candidates for 19 community board seats.

10 community board members elected unopposed.

and objectives.

Voting documents for those who have correctly enrolled will be posted out from September 16.

For your vote to count the electoral officer must receive the documents by noon on October 8.

Anyone who was not correctly enrolled before August 12 can request special voting papers by contacting the council’s Electoral Officer Dale Ofsoske on 0800 922 822.

To see the full list of candidates visit http://www.fndc.govt.nz