Ōmokoroa Community Board by-election to be held
Ōmokoroa residents are being asked to help fill the vacant Community Board seat following the resignation of Greig Neilson.
Greig is stepping down from the role, effective immediately, triggering a Western Bay of Plenty District Council by-election to select a new Community Board member.
A by-election must be held to fill the vacant seat because it is more than 12 months before the next local body election in October 2025.
Greig received 633 votes in the October 2022 local body elections, alongside Ben Bell (949), Peter Presland (946) and Allan Hughes (817).
The process
Electoral Officer Warwick Lampp has confirmed the by-election process will start on Wednesday 24 April – with nomination papers available to pick up and the electoral roll available for inspection.
To be eligible to stand for election, a candidate must be enrolled as a Parliamentary elector; be a New Zealand citizen; and be nominated by two electors of the Ōmokoroa Community Board area.
If more than one nomination has been received by the time nominations close at midday on Wednesday 22 May, a postal ballot will be held for the electors of the Ōmokoroa Community Board area.
If voting is required, it will run from Wednesday 26 June to midday Thursday 18 July.
The electoral roll will be available for public inspection between Wednesday 24 April and Wednesday 22 May at locations below.
Council is also running a second by-election to fill the vacant Maketu-Te Puke Ward councillor seat following the passing of Councillor, Richard Crawford. For more information visit Maketu-Te Puke Councillor By-Election 2024 - Western Bay of Plenty District Council
By-election key dates:
- nominations open/roll opens: Wednesday 24 April
- nominations close/roll closes: midday Wednesday 22 May
- voting opens (if more than one nomination): Wednesday 26 June
- voting closes: midday Thursday 18 July
Nomination papers will be available from:
- Ōmokoroa Library and Service Centre, 28 Western Avenue, Ōmokoroa
- Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s Main Office, Barkes Corner, 1484 Cameron Road, Greerton, Tauranga
- Council’s by-elections 2024 page
- Electoral 0800 number – 0800 398 683
