School up on being a candidate in this year’s elections

Keen to stand for Council and make change in our community but don’t know where to begin?

As part of the Generation Change / He panoni ā reanga campaign, Western Bay of Plenty District Council is making it easy for passionate locals to stand for Council and community boards.

Alongside the 2022 Candidate Handbook – a comprehensive guide to what is involved in standing for Council – there are two Candidate Information Sessions planned for July 26 and 27 or the chance to kanohi ki te kanohi (face to face) kōrero with staff.

Council CEO John Holyoake says by providing the community with the right information in different ways, it opens the door for a more diverse range of candidates to see how they can add value and stand in the elections.

“We know the local government environment can be a daunting place for people who do not typically interact with Council. And so, we want to strip back the process and make everyone feel as welcomed and inclusive as we can.

“Whether you’re retired or semi-retired, a businessperson, community advocate or university student, everyone deserves the right to represent their community. These different resources all provide a chance for people to access the information in a way that works best for them.”

2022 Candidate Handbook

The handbook is a guide on the nuts and bolts of standing in the elections, including how the nomination process works, and details the dos and don’ts of campaigning, from where you can place campaign hoardings, how much you can spend on your campaigns, and the rules on use of Council resources.

It also aims to demystify the role of the mayor, councillors and community board members to help people see where their unique skillsets and life experiences can align to make a difference.

Within this, there are explanations on what happens if you are successfully elected – such as the induction process, remuneration and when the first meeting will be held for the new Council. It also covers how Council is structured and its functions in the community.

The 2022 Candidate Handbook is available at generationchange.nz and at Council service centres:

• Waihī Beach Library & Service Centre, 106 Beach Road, Waihī Beach
• Katikati Library & Service Centre, The Centre – Pātuki Manawa, 21 Main Road, Katikati
• Ōmokoroa Library & Service Centre, 28 Western Avenue, Ōmokoroa
• Te Puke Library & Service Centre, 130 Jellicoe Street, Te Puke
• Council’s Main Office, Barkes Corner, 1484 Cameron Road, Greerton, Tauranga

Information sessions

Two candidate information sessions are being hosted at The Centre - Patuki Mānawa, Katikati Library on 26 July and Te Puke Library on 27 July – both from 6-7pm. These sessions will also cover the key information on standing for Council and attendees will be given the opportunity to ask questions.

For those unable to attend, the presentation will be published on the Generation Change website, or individuals can book a hui (meeting) or Zoom session with staff to speak confidentially on any questions they may have. To book in a session please phone 0800 926 732.

Key dates and details

• Candidate nominations open Friday 15 July and close at midday Friday 12 August.
• Nomination papers can be collected from all Council service centres listed above.
• To be eligible to stand for election, a candidate must be a New Zealand citizen, enrolled as a Parliamentary elector, and nominated by two electors whose names appear on the elector roll within the Western Bay of Plenty district.

Visit generationchange.nz for more information.