No election for some in Waipā
Those enrolled in the Māori electoral roll and in Pirongia and Maungatautari Wards will not receive voting papers in the upcoming elections.
This is due to the high number of Waipā District Council members elected unopposed following the close of nominations earlier this year.
In Pirongia Ward, the positions of mayor and two councillors have been elected unopposed, as well as the Ngā Tai Ki Uta Māori constituency representative for Waikato Regional Council.
In Maungatautari Ward, the positions of councillor and community board representative for the Cambridge community board have been elected unopposed as well as the Ngā Tai Ki Uta Māori constituency representative for Waikato Regional Council. Those on the general roll will receive voting papers for Waipā-King Country constituency representative for Waikato Regional Council only.
In Kakepuku Ward, the position of councillor has been elected. Those on the general electoral roll will receive voting papers for Kakepuku subdivision of Te Awamutu community board and for Waipā-King Country general constituency only. Those on the Māori electoral roll will only receive voting papers for community board representation.
Governance manager Jo Gread said Council had never encountered this situation before.
“There was a total of 28 positions across two councils for Waipā residents and eleven of those were elected unopposed following the close of nominations on 16 August. This leaves only 17 positions available to vote for Waipā residents and ratepayers in the upcoming elections.”
Voting papers will be sent for the following vacancies only:
• Cambridge Ward councillor (5 positions)
• Cambridge subdivision of Cambridge community board (5 positions)
• Te Awamutu Ward councillor (4 positions)
• Kakepuku subdivision of Te Awamutu community board (1 position)
• Waikato Regional Council Waipā-King Country general election (2 positions)
Candidate profiles for those standing for Waipa District Council and Waikato Regional Council are available online at waipadc.govt.nz/elections.
Voting papers will be posted to all eligible voters on 20 September with most likely to be received in the mail by 25 September. Voters have until 12pm, Saturday 12 October 2019 to submit their vote.