FAQs

A. Three years

A. Four – Hakataramea/Waihaorunga, Pareora/Otaio/Makikihi, Waihao, and Waimate Urban.

A. Yes you can.

A. You cannot nominate yourself. Two electors, enrolled to vote in the electorate where you wish to stand, must nominate you. More information about this can be found at www.elections.org.nz.

A. No experience necessary. An interest in helping shape the direction of the Waimate District is important. Everyone has particular skills, and they will be used when appropriate. You do, however, need to be enrolled as a voter, be a New Zealand citizen, and not be disqualified from enrolling.

A. One mayor and eight councillors.

• Hakataramea/Waihaorunga (1)
• Pareora-Otaio-Makikihi (2)
• Waihao (1)
• Waimate Urban (4)

A. 12 October 2019

A. Each year salaries are set by the Rumuneration Authority. The current salaries are:

a. Mayor: $71,434

b. Deputy Mayor: $26,630

c. Councillors: $19,021

A. Mayoral duties are often classed as similar to full-time positions, however, being a councillor is not a full-time job. We try to give councillors all the information (eg reports) well in advance so they have enough time to do the reading and think about their decision before the meeting takes place.

A. Council meetings take place every six weeks. We also have three standing committees – Community Services and Development; District Infrastructure; and Environmental Services and Finance, which also meet every six weeks.

Some individual councillors are also representatives on other special purpose sub-committees.

A. Yes. You will receive training, including induction, and you will have returning councillors to help guide you as you learn your role.

A. They are generally in the main Council office in Waimate. From time to time meetings may be held in other venues.

A. This will depend on many factors. Research shows that 20+ hours per week may be spent on Council business, including reading reports and attending Council meetings.

A. Councillors will be asked to vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ on decisions (often called resolutions).

A. Yes, it is a great way to hear how meetings are run.

A. We use the ‘First Past The Post’ system (some councils use Single Transferable Vote).

A. Nominations open Friday 19 July and close 12 noon Friday 16 August 2019.

A. One of our Electoral Officials - Helen Strachan, Carolyn Johns or Kim Quirke.

A. Click this link to download nomination forms for mayor and ward seats.

A. Email helen.strachan@waimatedc.govt.nz by 12 noon Friday 16 August 2019.

All nomination documents - nomination paper, candidate profile statement, evidence of NZ citizenship, photo, and nomination deposit - must be submitted at the same time.

A nomination will not be accepted if any components are missing.

A. Each nomination paper lodged requires a deposit of $200 (including GST).

If you poll greater than 25% of the lowest successful candidate your deposit will be refunded upon receipt of the electoral expenses form. Your deposit will also be refunded if no election is required.

A. Yes. There are no restrictions on police officers standing for local authority elections, apart from the normal eligibility criteria.