Your vote, your voice - your tick, your choice as candidates stand up to be counted
Afinal day flurry saw nominations across the Western Bay district for both Ward seats and positions on Community Boards, with 58 people nominated for 32 positions, including a mix of new and incumbent candidates.
The top job of Mayor, vacated by outgoing two-term Mayor Garry Webber, sees eight candidates vying for the position. They are Suaree Borell, Mark Boyle, James Denyer, Paul Haimona, Rodney Joyce, Hori BOP Leaming, John Scrimgeour, and Don Thwaites.
Three seats for Katikati-Waihī Beach will be contested by Donna Hannah, Richard Logan, John Clements, James Denyer, Sara Elliott-Warren, Anne Henry, Rodney Joyce, and Allan Sole.
Four seats for Kaimai Ward will be contested by Suaree Borell, Matua Parkinson, Tracey Coxhead, Matthew Farrell, Murray Grainger, Margaret Murray-Benge, and Don Thwaites.
Four seats for Maketū-Te Puke Ward will be contested by 12 candidates.
Each of the five Community Boards has four seats available.
Waihī Beach has seven candidates: Ariana Nikora, Heather Guptill, Alan Kurtovich, Ross Goudie, Don Ryan, Danielle Simpson, and Reon Tuanau.
Katikati has eight candidates: Mabel Wharekawa-Burt, Donna Hannah, Nisha Duncan, Norm Mayo, Teresa Sage, John Clements, Andy Earl, and Kamal Yadav.
Ōmokoroa has nine candidates: Puran Bhag Singh, Peter Presland, Richard Gerrish, Christine Subritsky, Ben Bell, EJ Weller, John Dyer, Greig Neilson, and Allan Hughes.
Maketū has six candidates, and Te Puke has ten candidates.
Council CEO John Holyoake says this year’s nominations are a real win for community representation, with a pleasing diversity and number of candidates.
“This year, we launched Generation Change He panoi ā renga to celebrate the mix of people that make the Western Bay so great. We encouraged our people to stand up for their communities and bring their voices to the table.
“We’re excited to say they’ve heard the call. This year’s nominations include the broadest range of candidates we’ve seen in a very long time. People from different generations, and various walks of life, and there’s no doubt they each possess different skills and have unique lived experience.
“This is exactly what we need to ensure that the decisions made by Council suit everyone in the Western Bay moving forwards. Thank you to all of the candidates for putting your hand up, and good luck,” says John.
“Getting to know your candidates today will help shape the tomorrow of our District. Get to know the people that want your vote, and most importantly get to a ballot box and have your say,” says John.
Candidate statements (presented as received) are on pages 11 to 23.
Council-facilitated candidate debates were set as follows (all 6pm start):
29th August, Katikati-Waihī Beach Ward, Katikati Primary School, Beach Road.
30th August, Kaimai Ward, Pahoia School, 29 Esdaile Road, Whakamārama.
31st August, Maketū-Te Puke Ward, Te Puke High School, 19 Tūī Street.
1st Sep, Mayoralty, University of Waikato, Level 2, 101 Durham Street, Tauranga.
Additional Meet the Candidate events: 1st September, Katikati Arts Junction, 5pm. Community Board, then Mayoral live stream.
7th September, Ōropi Hall, 6-8pm. The majority of Ward/Regional candidates (not Mayoral), minus the 14th September candidates, who’d already made plans for Ōropi.
9th September, Ohauiti Hall, 6-8pm. Ward/Regional candidates (not Mayoral).
10th September, Pātuki Manawa Katikati Library, 10am Community Board, 11am Ward.
10th September, Tauriko Hall, 3-5pm. Kaimai Ward/Regional candidates (not Mayoral).
11th September, Pātuki Manawa Katikati Library, 2pm Mayoral, 3pm Regional.
14th September, Ōropi Hall, 7pm. Meet Margaret Murray Benge, Tracey Coxhead, Ken Shirley and Mark Boyle. 17th September, Waihī Beach Community Centre, 10am Community Board, 11am Ward.
19th September, Te Puna Memorial Hall, 7-9pm. Mayoral forum (not Councillors).
20th September, Ōmokoroa Pavilion Social Room, 7-9pm Community Board, Ward, Regional (not Mayoral).