Voting numbers jump
Voting in the Timaru District was the highest in nearly a decade as South Canterbury’s territorial authorities recorded good turnouts in this year’s Local Government elections.
With the voting now wrapped up, the preliminary count from electionz.com shows that 55.01 per cent of Timaru District’s voters turned out for this year’s local government election, well ahead of 2016 (48.94 per cent) and 2013 (51.16 per cent), and only slightly behind 2010 (56.53 per cent).
The highest-polling ward in the Timaru District was Geraldine with 57.04 per cent, while the Timaru and Pleasant Point-Temuka wards recorded 55.5 per cent and 51.63 per cent respectively.
Meanwhile, Waimate District recorded a preliminary turnout of 52.05 per cent, ahead of 2016 (49.6 per cent), but behind 2013 (55 per cent) and comparable with 2010 (51.93 per cent).
The Mackenzie District, which had been reliably above 63 per cent in previous elections, has a preliminary turnout of 60.5 per cent in this year’s election. According to Local Government New Zealand, out of the 68 territorial authorities, Timaru District finished 12th overall for turnout, while Mackenzie District was fifth and Waimate District 21st.
Mackenzie District Council chief executive Suzette van Aswegen said although the district’s turnout was slightly down on previous elections, to get above 60 per cent was ‘‘still pretty satisfying’’.
‘‘I think the results and the turnout are reflective of a very engaged community, and an overall satisfaction in the council and mayor,’’ van Aswegen said. However, she noted that if there had been a more ‘‘serious’’ mayoral contest, the turnout might have been higher.
Mayor Graham Smith’s sole opponent, Seven Sharp journalist Julian Lee, had to later admit he was not seriously running for mayor.
Timaru District Council electoral officer Mark Low said it was a pleasing result. ‘‘I’d like to thank the Timaru public for being so engaged in the process,’’ Low said.
This year, there were 22 candidates standing for the nine council seats, including 16 standing for the six positions in the Timaru ward, three for the one spot in the Geraldine ward, and three for the two spots in the Pleasant Point-Temuka ward.
There were also five mayoral candidates, and the chance of a new mayor for the district after incumbent Damon Odey stood down.
‘‘Obviously there were a number of reasons for the improved turnout, but an election where a new mayoral candidate is likely to be elected tends to lead to a bit of a jump in voter turnout.
‘‘Also, there were a number of new council candidates in this year’s election so that too can stimulate interest.’’
Low said the council had encouraged people to vote through the traditional channels, although he believed social media also played a part in spreading the message.
‘‘... an election where a new mayoral candidate is likely to be elected tends to lead to a bit of a jump in voter turnout. Mark Low