By-election to fill Prime’s seat
The Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Ward won’t elect a new councillor until February, to replace WillowJean Prime who has become an MP.
Prime confirmed her resignation on September 28, after she was elected as a Labour Party list MP at the General Election on September 23.
The Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Ward has the largest population in the Far North District Council area, with 19,200 electors set to decide who will fill her vacated seat.
So far former Green MP David Clendon, who resigned following former Green Party co-leader Metiria Turei’s benefit and electoral fraud revelations, has said he plans to contest the councillor position.
Clendon, a list MP for eight years, held numerous portfolios including commerce, sustainable business, tourism, environment, justice and tertiary education.
Peter Gill, a freelance journalist, and John Carter’s sole challenger for the mayoralty in 2016, has also thrown his hat into the ring.
The by-election is set to cost approximately $45,000, says a council spokesman.
In the Local Body Elections held in 2016, nine candidates contested four councillor seats.
Under the Local Electoral Act, where a resignation is received between September 28 and November 20, a by-election cannot be held any earlier than February 17 the following year.
The Act also states that a byelection to fill an extraordinary vacancy must be held within 89 days of the electoral officer being informed of the vacancy.
Nominations for the position open on November 24 and close on December 22, ballot papers will be sent out from January 26, 2018, with voting closing on February 17.
Mayor John Carter wished Prime well in her move to Parliament. ’’She has been a wonderful servant for our people in the Far North as a councillor and has contributed significantly to the work of council since her election in 2013,’’ Carter says.
‘‘I’m sure she will continue to represent the interests of all Northlanders from Wellington and we all wish her well.’’
Prime finished third (7219) in the Northland electorate in the general election behind new MP Matt King (13686) and Winston Peters (12394), but her list placing of 16 ensured she made it to Parliament.