Good turnout hoped for at Candidate Information Meetings

Council is hoping for a lot of interest at its candidate information meetings on standing for election to Council or a local Community Board being held at the end of the month.

The candidate briefings will be held in Taumarunui at the Memorial Hall, 153 Hakiaha St on Wednesday 29 June an in Raetihi at the Centre (Baptist Church), 14 Seddon St on Thursday June 30th and both starting at 6pm.

Both meetings will also be live streamed on Council’s Facebook Page.

Mayor Don Cameron said that there are a lot of changes happening in local government which means Ruapehu needs community minded people from all walks of life to work on behalf of their community and help take district forward.

“With the 3 waters reform the focus of local government is pivoting toward helping to address many of the well-being issues facing local communities, he said.

“This is the perfect time to be thinking about standing with Council having adopted new representation arrangements designed to enable Council and Community Boards to better serve the community.

People can run as a candidate for either Mayor, Council or one of three Community Boards being Waimarino-Waiouru, Owhango-National Park or Taumarunui-Ohura.

An important change for the next Council is the introduction of three Māori Ward councillors who will be elected by voters on the Māori electoral roll alongside six General Ward councillors.

All councillors will now be elected ‘at large’ by voters from across the entire district like the mayor while Community Board members will be elected by voters within their Ward area.

If you have been thinking about standing for any of the positions and wondering what the role involves come along to one of the candidate information meetings.

Candidate nominations open July 15 and close at 12pm on August 12.

More information on what local government is and on standing for election is also available from your local Council office or the website: www.ruapehudc.govt.nz

*END*