Prospective councillors urged to come forward before Friday
With just two days until nominations for local body elections close, no nominations have yet been received for the Turangi and Taupō East Rural wards.
Those interested in standing for Taupō District Council, Waikato Regional Council or Lakes District Health Board can be nominated until midday Friday, August 16.
As at 9am on Wednesday, August 14, nine nominations had been received for the Taupō ward, one for Mangakino-Pouakani ward and two for the mayoralty. No nominations had been received for the newly created Taupō East Rural ward or the Turangi-Tongariro ward, but one nomination was pending for the Turangi Tongariro Community Board.
Deputy electoral officer Tina Jakes said time was running out to stand for the council and positions were important roles that needed to be filled by passionate members of the community.
“We know there are people out there who want to make a difference, help make decisions for their community and make a really important contribution,” she said. “The sooner nominations are in, the sooner the voting community can be made aware of what nominees stand for and what they want to do for their wards.”
The Taupō District Council election will be for the mayor and 11 councillors, including one from the Taupō East Rural ward, seven from the Taupō ward, two from Turangi/Tongariro and one from Mangakino. There will also be an election for the Turangi/Tongariro Community Board which will include four members from Turangi town and two members from the remaining area the ward covers.
Nomination forms and further information are available at taupo.govt.nz/elections. Local body elections will be held on October 12 and will decide the elected members for the three following years.