Nominations for candidates seeking election as a Bay of Plenty Regional Councillor for the Mauao Maori constituency open next Monday.
The January 16 date is when a by-election for the constituency is formally publicly notified.
The by-election will be held from March 20 to April 11 2017, to fill the vacancy left by the death of Councillor Awanui Black on November 30 2016.
'It's important to re-fill this seat so that Mauao Māori constituents can continue to have a voice on Council,” says Electoral Officer Robyn Garrett.
Nomination criteria, forms and further information will be available from next week at www.boprc.govt.nz/byelection or by contacting the Electoral Officer, phone 0800 884 881 ext 8376 or email elections@boprc.govt.nz
Candidate nominations must be lodged with the Electoral Officer by 12pm on Monday, February 13.
Only voters registered on the Maori electoral roll in the Mauao Maori constituency will be eligible to vote in the by-election in March 2017.
The Mauao Maori constituency extends from the top of the Kaimai Mamaku ranges to Waihi Beach and Otamarakau, including Katikati, Tauranga, Matakana, Te Puke, Maketu, Pongakawa and the surrounding areas.
3 comments
Who said,
Posted on 11-01-2017 15:58 | By R. Bell
they were UN-elected?
Shame on NZ
Posted on 12-01-2017 13:17 | By Captain Sensible
Electoral Officer Robyn Garrett.... another with a grudge against democracy. Unless there is a Mount Chinese seat, a Mount African seat etc...but....there isn't of course. Legalized racism is rampant in NZ....but it's still racism no matter how you dress it up Robyn. Shame on NZ.
Very Few
Posted on 12-01-2017 17:43 | By Jitter
This is one of the very few councils that hold an election for a Maori seat.The majority just appoint "Maori" to their councils with the majority of ratepayers having absolutely no say in the matter. So Mr Bell you are both right and wrong in this case. I agree with Captain Sensible, if you are going to create a council seat for one minority group then you must create seats for all the others otherwise it becomes a bicultural council when it should be multicultural. We are a multicultural country therefore all cultures should be represented. We are told continually we are "one nation one people" so lets fulfil that statement and cease handing out priveleges to one minority group.
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