New Zealand is a democratic country in which the members of parliament (MPs) and local bodies (Mayors and Councillors) are chosen in free and fair elections. Citizens and permanent residents who are aged 18 years and over are required to enrol to vote, though voting is not compulsory.
New Zealand has a single chamber of parliament which consists of the House of Representatives, which generally has 120 MPs, and the Governor-General (who does not personally attend the house). The house is elected for a maximum three-year term using the mixed member proportional (MMP) system. The next general election is scheduled to take place in 2017.
New Zealand also has sub-national elected government bodies including territorial local authorities, district health boards and school boards of trustees. Local body elections are also held every three years, with this year’s election to be held by postal vote on Saturday 8 October 2016.
The vacancy that exists in the Seddon ward of the Council is set to be rectified with the running of a by-election in February of the new year, with nominations opening at the end of the week.
Candidates must be a NZ citizen and enrolled on a NZ Parliamentary roll, but the two nominees must be eligible to vote at the election, ie be on the roll for the Seddon ward.
A form is available below, also below is a Candidate Information Book
Nomination Paper- Seddon By-Election (182Kb)
Candidate Information Booklet (508Kb)
The election will be under the First Past the Post system, and be by postal vote.
Some of the key dates still to come in the election process:
Friday 24 November 2017 Nominations open
Friday 22 December 2017 Nominations close (noon), Roll closes (4pm)
Friday 26 January 2018 Voting papers delivered, voting period begins
Saturday 17 February 2018 Election day, voting period finishes at noon
Count made after noon, preliminary results about 2pm
About Wednesday 21 February 2018 Final declaration of result
The 3-yearly elections for the various local and ad hoc authorities were held in October 2013. Members were elected using the First Past the Post (FPP) method, ie the highest number of votes wins.
The Following members made up the Buller District Council from October 2013 to October 2016:
Mayor: Garry Howard
Seddon Ward: Lynn Brooks and Sheryl Rhind
Westport Ward: Greg Hart, Sharon Roche, Robyn Nahr, Graham Howard, Phil Rutherford and Andrew Basher
Inangahua Ward: Dave Hawes and Graeme Neylon
Inangahua Community Board: Jenette Hawes, Simon Burke, Susan Barnett, Alun Bollinger
Buller representatives for the West Coast Regional Council are Neal Clementson and Terry Archer
The Buller representative for Development West Coast is Frank Dooley
To check or update your Enrolment details click below:
For further information please direct all enquiries to the Electoral Officer:
Phone: 03 788 9111
Fax: 03 788 8041
Email: info@bdc.govt.nz
In person:
Brougham House, 6-8 Brougham Street, WestportBy post:
Electoral Officer, Buller District Council, PO Box 21, Westport 7866
