A by-election has been confirmed to fill the vacant councillor seat following the passing of Councillor, Richard Crawford. 

The Western Bay of Plenty District Council by-election will be held in the Maketu-Te Puke community following the unexpected loss of Richard, after he suffered a heart attack while out biking on Saturday, March 30. 

He was in his first term as Maketu-Te Puke Councillor, elected in 2022 as one of four new councillors. 

Whoever is successful will join Deputy Mayor John Scrimgeour, Grant Dally and Andy Wichers as councillors for that area of our rohe.  

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 2025.

The process

Electoral Officer Warwick Lampp has confirmed the by-election process will start on Wednesday, April 24 – 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 Maketu-Te Puke Ward area.

If more than one nomination is received by the time nominations close at midday on Wednesday, May 22, a postal ballot will be held for the electors of the Maketu-Te Puke Ward area.

If voting is required, it will run from Wednesday, June 26, to midday Thursday, July 18. 

Electoral Officer Warwick Lampp.

The electoral roll will be available for public inspection between Wednesday, April 24, and Wednesday, May 22, at locations below.

Council is also running a second by-election to fill the vacant Ōmokoroa Community Board seat following the resignation of Greig Neilson. For more information visit Ōmokoroa Community Board By-Election 2024 - Western Bay of Plenty District Council

By-election key dates: 

• nominations open/roll opens: Wednesday, April 24 
• nominations close/roll closes: midday Wednesday, May 22
• voting opens (if more than one nomination): Wednesday, June 26
• voting closes: midday Thursday, July 18

Nomination papers will be available from: 

• Te Puke Library and Service Centre, 130 Jellicoe Street, Te Puke 
• 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