Potential councillor? The soul-searching starts now
Jul 24th, 2010 | By Newswire Team | Category: Front Page Layout, Latest News, News
By Amie Hickland & Hanna Butler
THE CLOCK is counting down to the 2010 local body elections - the chance for the region’s residents to pick their local representatives.
Nominations for council and district health board members have now opened, and close August 20 at noon.
Wellington city faces some huge challenges coming up in the next couple of terms, especially around inflation, says Council Watch engagement advisor Jim Candiliotis.
It’s time for the council to “reconcile with the community that they actually represent”, he says.
Wellington groups will meet next month to determine the issues they want to raise with candidates, says Mr Candiliotis, who is also on the executive of the Federation of Wellington Progressive and Residents’ Associations.
The federation plans public meetings where candidates will be asked to address the issues identified, he says.
While many incumbents are expected to stand, 28 Wellingtonians new to the game have shown an interest in standing for their city council. They fronted at a recent meeting on what’s involved in being a councillor.
Wellington City Council electoral officer Ross Bly says it was “a pretty pleasing turnout”.
“Being a councillor is a great way of working with and for the local community, but it’s a good idea to know what it’s all about before you put your name forward,” says Mr Bly.
He says the sessions are useful as people don’t appreciate what is involved in the role of councillor, and potential candidates get a chance to talk to current councillors.
“The work of a councillor touches people every day in every way.”
Candidates must be New Zealand citizens aged over 18 and on the electoral roll, be nominated by two locals, and pay a $200 deposit.
“It’s not complicated. There are no qualifications or professional requirements needed to stand for council.”
The council encourages a range of elected members of different ages, ethnicities and backgrounds to represent Wellington’s increasingly diverse community.
The local elections are by postal vote, between September 17 and noon on October 9.
WHO HAS THEIR HAND UP?
Candidates already reported to be standing for various mayoralties include:
Wellington City Council
Kerry Prendergast (incumbent)
Carterton District Council
Hutt City Council
David Ogden (incumbent)
Ray Wallace (Tweeted by @HuttNZ)
Kapiti Coast District Council
Jenny Rowan (incumbent)
Masterton District Council
Garry Daniell (incumbent)
Porirua City Council
South Wairarapa District Council
Adrienne Staples (incumbent)
Upper Hutt City Council
Wayne Guppy (incumbent)
Adrienne Sparrow
Elections will also be held for:
- Community boards in some areas
- Greater Wellington Regional Council
- Hutt Mana Charitable Trust
- Capital and Coast District Health Board
- Hutt Valley District Health Board
- Wairarapa District Health Board
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