Western Bay of Plenty residents need to get serious about who they want representing them on the TECT Community Trust.

Voting papers for the trust's upcoming election will be arriving in letterboxes this Friday, October 28.

TECT – which is now a community trust that provides support for local initiatives, facilities and events that bring vibrancy, connectedness, and growth to the region – is governed by six trustees who are elected by local residents for a four-year term.

Previously only Trustpower customers were eligible to vote; however, following the trust's restructure in February, TECT is now a community trust – and trustees are now elected by those enrolled on either the Tauranga City Council or Western Bay of Plenty District Council electoral rolls.

Terms of appointment of trustees are staggered so that three trustees retire every two years.

With nominations for the 2022 trustee election closing October 7 – there are now 12 candidates vying for three seats.

The 12 candidates are: Mark Arundel, Kate Barry-Piceno, Michael Bayly, Pete Blackwell, Don Brash, Kelvin Clout, Annie Hill, Andrew Hitchfield, Paul Hodson, Gordy Lockhart, Ian Pickard, Peter White. View candidate profiles here.

The election is taking place by postal and internet voting using the First Past the Post-election method.

Voting papers will be sent to electors from October 28. Voting closes 12 noon on Friday, November 25.

Adult residents residing within the TECT Community Trust area who are not listed on the final electoral roll for this election can enrol up to 5pm on Thursday, November 24.

Any alterations to the residential roll should be made:

• Online at www.vote.nz

• By texting your name and address to 3676 to get a form sent to you

• By calling: 0800 36 76 56 to ask for a form to be sent to you

• By email request to: enquiries@elections.govt.nz

Special votes are available from Friday, October 28, to midday Friday, November 25, from the TECT Community Trust office at The Kollective, 145 17th Avenue, Tauranga during normal office hours or by phone request to the election helpline on: 0800 666 029 or email: iro@electionz.com

Special votes may be claimed by:

• Electors, who have lost, spoilt or destroyed the original voting documents mailed to them.

• Any other persons aged 18-plus who reside within the TECT Community Trust area and believe they have a right to vote and have not already voted in the election.

Any election enquiries are to be directed to the Independent Returning Officer on the election helpline: 0800 666 029 or email: iro@electionz.com