Little indication yet of fresh election candidates

July 26th, 2013
[by David Armstrong]

Most potential candidates for District Council and Community Board representatives are keeping their cards close to their chest, now that nominations have opened for the triennial local body elections.

Ten people attended an information meeting in Motueka yesterday put on by TDC chief executive Lindsay McKenzie and two of his staff to explain the function of the local bodies and the roles of elected representatives. And most gave little indication of whether or not they would be standing.

So far two people have publicly said they will stand for Council - Jack Inglis and Tara Forde. Jack has been a councillor for many years and says he recently decided to go for three more years. Tara was an active Community Board member from 2007 to 2010, but just failed to make the cut when standing for Council in 2010.

It is believed that incumbent councillors Eileen Wilkins and Barry Dowler have also decided to put their names forward. No clear intentions have been given by any current or potential Community Board members.

At yesterday's meeting a couple of fresh faces expressing interest were spotted but others, like this writer, were there to learn more about the process and probably to see who else was there.

Retiring Nelson deputy mayor Ali Boswijk spoke about the role of district councillors, the demands of the job and the rewards that can ensue. Cr Martine Bouillir, a member of the Golden Bay Community Board, gave similar details about the work of s Community Board member.

Several interesting matters were expounded, including how to manage conflicts of interest, induction of councillors into the council processes, and the need to be able to work on a wide range of issues rather than just some pet hobby horses.

Nominations close on August 16th, and during the election campaign several channels will be available for Motueka people to be informed about key issues and what candidates stand for.

Rotary will kick off with meetings on two successive Thursdays, August 1st and 8th, to hear from the two best known mayoral candidates to date, Kit Maling and Richard Kempthorne.

After August 16th Motueka Online will run a forum for candidates to express their policies, and for anyone to post comments and ask questions of candidates.

Grey Power will again run a "Meet the Candidates" public meeting at Memorial Hall on Friday September 20th from 1.30pm to 3.30pm, and Vision Motueka will also host an evening meeting of a similar question-and-answer format, on a date to be announced.

Voting documents will be posted to voters around the week of September 20th to 25th, and postal votes must be returned by October 12th.

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