Time's nearly up to stand in local elections

Latest News & Media Releases

Published: 11 Aug 2016

40 nominations have been received at close of business Wednesday for elections in Timaru District Council, South Canterbury District Health Board (SCDHB) and Geraldine Licensing Trust elections. One nomination had also been received for the South Canterbury constituency of Environment Canterbury.

Elections were so far guaranteed for the Timaru Ward (9 candidates, with 6 elected) and SCDHB, with 12 candidates (7 elected).

Electoral Officer Mark Low is reminding people they only have until midday on Friday 12 August to get their nominations in, or run the risk of missing out.

Anyone wishing to stand as a candidate for Timaru District Council and Community Boards, South Canterbury District Health Board and Geraldine Licensing Trust should get their nominations in well before the 12 August deadline. Nominations for all positions need to come to the main Council office in Timaru.

“Nominations need to be checked to ensure they are valid. If you leave your nomination to the last minute and there is an error or something lacking you may not have time to correct it before nominations close.”  

All nomination documents were required to be submitted together, before a nomination could be accepted. These documents include the nomination form, nomination deposit of $200.00, and the optional 150 word candidate profile statement and photo.  DHB candidates are also required to provide a Conflict of Interest Statement. The Electoral Officer cannot accept candidate profile statements and photos submitted at a later date, also if your cheque or payment for the deposit is dishonoured the nomination is void.

Anyone over the age of 18 can stand for election as long as they are a New Zealand citizen and enrolled on the Parliamentary electoral roll. Anyone wishing to stand as an elected member must be nominated by two people enrolled in the district or area you are standing in, and pay a deposit of $200.

Information packs are available for all sets of local elections. These could be collected from the Council’s main office in Timaru, Council Service Centres, online at www.timaru.govt.nz or by phoning (03) 687 7200.
Information about how to enrol as a parliamentary elector may be found on the Electoral Commission’s website – www.elections.govt.nz or by phoning 0800 ENROL NOW (0800 36 76 56).

The deadline for nominations is noon on Friday, August 12.

Voting papers will be sent out from 16 September 2016 and must be mailed to the council by midday on Election Day, 8 October 2016.  

For further information please contact:
Mark Low (Electoral Officer) or Phillipa Tsukigawa (Deputy Electoral Officer) tel (03) 687 7200

Last updated: 24 Feb 2021