Candidates encouraged to get informed what council to stand for

Local elections are getting closer and Buller District Council’s chief executive officer Sharon Mason encourages potential candidates to get informed about the difference between regional and district councils.

“Candidates can either stand for the Buller District Council or the West Coast Reginal Council in October. These two entities have different responsibilities but work on certain topics in partnership and have established joint service delivery arrangements.”

Buller District Council is the territory authority overseeing a wide range of responsibilities. This encompasses infrastructure services like storm water and drinking water, town planning and resource management, local regulatory services such as building consenting, dog control and liquor licensing, developing and maintaining parks, recreation and cultural facilities, supporting economic development, and promoting arts and culture in the district.

The West Coast Regional Council plays a core role in the management of the natural resources of the West Coast. This includes biosecurity control, resource management, including flood and river management, public transport, civil defence, regional transport planning and passenger transport services.

“Which council you want to stand for depends on your passion and what you want to be involved in” says Mrs Mason.

Council has ramped up its Vote22 campaign featuring local faces and involving four information events over the last few weeks.

The nationwide Vote 22 campaign initiated by Taituara (Local Government Professionals Aotearoa) has two distinct phases – stand and vote. Critically, council is focusing on the stand aspect which has the objective of encouraging a diverse range of people from within our communities to stand in this year’s local body elections.

Mrs Mason says “We need elected members for both councils who have the best interests of the entire community first and foremost at hand – not only for today but also for future generations.

We encourage people thinking about standing to read 2022 Pre-Election Report’s and West Coast Regional Council’s pre-election report and the LGNZ information to find out what each council does and has on the horizon.”

Local council candidate nominations open on Friday 15 July and close at noon on Friday 12 August. Local government elections will take place on Saturday 8 October 2022, with postal voting getting underway from 16 September 2022.

For more information go to council’s election page.

-ENDS-

For more information contact:
Chief executive officer
Sharon Mason
Sharon.mason@bdc.govt.nz

Background

The next triennial local government elections will be held on Saturday 8 October 2022. The election is being carried out by postal vote from 16 September 2022.

Important dates for the 2022 Local body elections:

15 July 2022 candidate nominations open and roll opens for public inspection
12 August 2022 at 12 noon candidate nominations close and roll closes
17 August 2022 public notice of candidates’ names
16 – 21 September 2022 voting documents delivered
4 October 2022 last day for posting vote by mail. After this date votes must be returned to Council’s secure ballot boxes.
8 October 2022 at 12 noon Election Day, voting closes midday
8 October 2022 from 12 noon preliminary results
13-19 October 2022 declaration of results
October 2022 Elected members’ swearing in ceremonies