Time running out for seat nominations

Time is running out for anyone who plans to stand for the vacant seat on the Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board (Kawakawa-Moerewa Subdivision), created by Kelly Stratford’s winning of a seat on the Far North District Council last month, but there hasn’t been much interest so far.

Nominations close at noon a week tomorrow, and as of late last week none had been received. According to the Local Electoral Act 2001, if there are no valid nominations for a byelection the community board may resolve to fill the vacancy by appointing a person.

To be eligible for election, candidates must be New Zealand citizens and enrolled to vote somewhere in New Zealand. They must be nominated by two people registered on the electoral roll within the board’s Kawakawa-Moerewa Subdivision. Nomination papers can be obtained from the council’s Kawakawa service centre, the council’s website (www.fndc. govt.nz) or phoning 0800 922-822.

If more than one person is nominated, postal voting packs will be delivered to around 2500 eligible electors from May 2, voting closing on May 24.

For information about the byelection and the community board go to www.fndc.govt.nz.