People considering standing as candidates in this year’s Auckland Council elections should start preparing.
The elections for positions on the council and Howick Local Board are scheduled to be held on Saturday, October 8.
The Howick ward has two seats on the council and there are nine seats on the local board up for grabs, with three elected members representing each of the board’s three subdivisions of Howick, Pakuranga, and Botany.
Council elections are staged every three years and conducted by postal vote.
Howick Local Board chairperson Adele White encourages locals to consider putting themselves forward for election to the council or local board.
“The Howick ward is large and diverse,” she told the Times.
“Our local board needs to be representative of its people to give a broad and democratic approach to local government decision-making.
“It’s an ever-growing role requiring time, flexibility and commitment, but is able to bring pleasure, satisfaction, and wonderful connections to our communities.”
Voting papers for the elections will be sent to all eligible voters from September 16 with voting closing at midday on October 8.
Candidate nominations open on July 15 and must be completed and submitted by August 12.
A list of confirmed candidates is announced on August 17.
Progress and preliminary results are published on October 8 and the final results are announced from October 14-19.
Candidates must be New Zealand citizens, aged over 18 years old, and enrolled on the electoral roll.
They must be nominated by two people who are aged over 18 years old and enrolled to vote in the area the candidate wishes to stand in.
People standing for election also have to pay a $200 nomination deposit.
The deposit may be refunded depending on how many votes the candidate receives.
The council says candidates do not need any special qualifications and “come from all backgrounds and walks of life”.
To be effective they need to have skills such as decision-making and strategic thinking, communication and community engagement and relationship building and collaboration.
Lack of knowledge about the candidates and their views is consistently reported as one of the main reasons people don’t vote in local elections, the council says.
“To run a successful campaign, candidates need to let local residents know the key issues you stand for within the community.”
Tips that may be helpful for connecting with voters and getting more votes include using social media channels, door knocking, speaking at public meetings and speaking to people at public places, looking for interview opportunities in the news media and advertising.
Council manager for governance services Rose Leonard says local leaders help to shape communities across Auckland.
“Every three years we get to choose our representatives through the local elections.
“If you love your local community and want to be involved in the decisions that will make it an amazing place to live, we encourage you to stand as a candidate in the upcoming local elections.
“If you’re aged over 18 and a New Zealand citizen, this is a fantastic opportunity to make a valuable contribution to your community.”
For more information, go online to www.voteauckland.co.nz.
