MEDIA RELEASE

Get involved in the local elections: enrol, stand, vote

Wednesday 25 July 2007

Local elections are coming and everyone should get involved!

Local Government New Zealand’s Manager Governance, Mike Reid, says there are three things people can do: make sure they are enrolled, stand as a candidate, and vote.

“Learn about the challenges of local councils by clicking on http://www.getmoreinvolved.co.nz/ and better yet, send it to your friends to increase their awareness of the local elections. This game is fun way to remind everyone to get involved,” says Mr Reid.

Nominations open

Nominations for candidates wishing to stand for council, regional council, district health board or community board open on Friday 27 July and close on Friday 24 August (noon).

“We are encouraging anyone who wants to make a difference in the local community to stand. We need a range of elected members of different ages, ethnicities and backgrounds to represent our community. After all, local government and local democracy are fundamental to our society, giving the opportunity for everyone’s voice to be heard.

“Anyone over the age of 18 can stand for election as long as they are a New Zealand citizen and enrolled on the electoral roll,” says Mr Reid.

Get enrolled to vote

The Electoral Enrolment Centre is currently checking that all eligible people are enrolled and that their details are correct. Voting papers for the elections will be sent out to those people registered on the electoral rolls from 21 September 2007. The voting papers must be mailed to the council so they are received by midday on Election Day, 13 October 2007.

“Closer to the time, we will be encouraging all voters to ensure they have their say in the town, city or district by voting in the elections,

‘Everyone receives daily services from their council and people care about the state of their roads, whether their rubbish is picked up or if their sports grounds are fit for playing rugby. But we know that it is not just the essential services that people care about – it’s also things like the regional economic strategy, the state of the environment, the quality of social and cultural events, and what their town, city or district offers their friends and families,” says Mr Reid.

Kidsvoting

“This year we will also be targeting young people with a new initiative called Kidsvoting. Kidsvoting gives Year 9 students the opportunity to try an actual voting experience based on their local candidates, This is a joint central and local government project to stimulate interest in the elections and encourage the voting-habit early on” says Mr Reid.
Kidsvoting has been used successfully in the Auckland city since 2000 and this is the first year it will be available nationally. So far there are 80 schools across New Zealand registered and 40 councils taking part in this year's local government ‘Kids Voting’ elections.

Elections timetable

Monday 9 July Enrolment update packs sent to all registered electors for them to check/update details

Friday 27 July
Candidate nominations open
Friday 24 August
Candidate nominations close (at 12 noon)
Friday 21 September
Delivery of voting papers starts– start of voting period, special votes are issued and early processing of votes begins (where applicable)
Saturday 13 October
Election day – end of voting period (at 12 noon) and announcement of preliminary results (as soon as practicable after the close of voting).

Results will be available progressively from this date on www.localgovt.co.nz

From Saturday 13 October Special votes are counted and official results are declared.

ENDS

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