2025 is Election Year - take action now!
This year is the 2025 local government elections and Ōpōtiki District Council Chief Executive, Stace Lewer, said that although voting was still several months away, it was time to take action now to make your vote count.
“Local government elections still take place by post and people will start getting their voting packs in September. Even though that feels like a long way away, there are two things people can do right now to be ready.
“The first is easy – just check your enrolment details are up to date and they have the right address for your voting papers to be sent to. At the same time, you can make a decision on whether you want to be on the Māori roll or the General roll,” Mr Lewer said.
This year is the first year that Ōpōtiki District Council will be voting with Māori wards for local government elections. This means that those on the Māori roll will vote for candidates standing in the Māori ward they live in. Those on the General roll will vote for candidates who are standing in the General ward they live in.
“The second thing requires just a little more soul-searching. It is a good time to think about whether you or someone you know would be a great person to sit at the council table – perhaps as the mayor, a councillor or a community board member.
“Our elected representatives have a very important role in setting the long term direction for our communities and making sure we stay on track. There is a lot to the job, so it is worth reading more about it or coming along to one of our candidate sessions to find out more. But we know that decisions at the council table work best when the representatives reflect the diversity of people and views that make up our communities,” Mr Lewer said.
There are many ways to find out about the work of council and some of the likely challengers on the horizon. In particular, council is required to produce a “Pre-Election Report” – a high-level summary of some recent successes, what the council’s accounts look like (debts, loans, and expenditure), and big projects that are underway.
“I am excited to see real conversation in the community this year for the elections. It will be great to see as many people as possible putting up their hands to represent their community, really healthy discussion of the issues, and people who feel heard and engaged enough to cast a vote later in the year. It all starts now,” Mr Lewer said.
- Details for the Candidate events are on the council website and Facebook page
- Te Kaha RSA: Monday 9 June, 2 – 3:30pm
- Ōpōtiki District Council Chambers (St John st): Monday 9 June, 5:30 pm – 7:00pm
- Check enrolment details – www.vote.nz
- Read more about being a candidate including the Candidate booklet – www.odc.govt/nz/elections
- Read the Pre-Election Report - www.odc.govt/nz/elections
