It’s time to vote to fill the vacant seat on the Maketu Community Board.

The Candidates for the seat are Brett Waterhouse and Susan (Huhana) Smith.

Voting will exclusively be done via postal ballot, and voting papers will begin arriving in mailboxes today.

The vacancy arose after the board’s previous chairperson, Laura Rae, was elected to the Western Bay of Plenty District Council as a Maketu-Te Puke Ward Councillor.  

Voting closes midday Friday, November 1, with the successful candidate selected under the first-past-the-post electoral system.  

Residents in the Maketu Community Board area must complete their postal ballots, mail them back, or hand deliver them to specific locations.

• Maketu Beachside Cafe & Restaurant, 1 Ngaroma Lane, Maketu . 
• 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.