Many elected unopposed
Some Waipa¯ residents won’t be receiving voting papers, and many limited papers, in the upcoming local body elections due to the high number of members elected unopposed following the close of nominations earlier this year.
Mayor Jim Mylchreest will be returned unopposed.
In Pirongia Ward, the positions of two councillors have been elected unopposed, as well as the Nga¯ Tai Ki Uta Ma¯ori constituency representative for Waikato Regional Council.
In Maungatautari Ward, the positions of councillor and community board representative have been elected unopposed as well as the Nga¯ Tai Ki Uta Ma¯ ori constituency representative for Waikato Regional Council.
In those two wards, those on the general roll will receive voting papers for Waipa¯-King Country constituency representative for Waikato Regional Council only.
In Kakepuku Ward, the position of councillor has been elected. Those on the general electoral roll will receive voting papers for Kakepuku subdivision of Te Awamutu Community Board and for Waipa¯-King Country general constituency only. Those on the Ma¯ori electoral roll will only receive voting papers for community board representation.
Governance manager Jo Gread said Council had never encountered this situation before.
“There were 28 positions across two councils for Waipa¯ residents, and 11 of those were elected unopposed following the close of nominations on August 16,” she said.
“This leaves only 17 positions available to vote for Waipa¯ residents and ratepayers in the upcoming elections.”
Voting papers will be posted to all eligible voters on Friday, with most likely to be received in the mail by September 25, for the following vacancies:
Cambridge councillor (5 positions); Cambridge Cambridge Community Board (5 positions); Te Awamutu Councillor (4 positions); Kakepuku member of Te Awamutu Community Board (1 position); Waikato Regional Council Waipa¯-King Country general election (2 positions).
Candidate profiles for those standing for Waipa¯ District Council and Waikato Regional Council are available online at waipadc.govt.nz/elections.
■ Voters have until 12pm, Saturday, October 12 to vote.