There is a total of seven positions available: one mayor, three Te Kūiti urban seats and three Waitomo Rural seats.

The candidates are (in alphabetical order by surname as listed in the Nominations Portal):

Mayor: Janette Osborne, John Robertson, Richard Ross and Natasha Willison-Reardon.

Waitomo Rural Ward: Olivia Buckley, Allan Goddard, Janette Osborne, Nicola Painter, Gavin Todd, Natasha Willison-Reardon.

Te Kūiti Urban Ward: Eady Manawaiti, Ross O’Halloran, Richard Ross, Dan Tasker, Ata Te Kanawa, Faye Thomas, Isaiah Wallace.

Chief Executive Ben Smit says now that we have our candidates, it is over to the voters to decide who they want to represent our communities.

“Your vote is super important because the Mayor and Councillors have a huge impact on the future of our district,” he says.

Council is everywhere our community lives, works and plays …. every day.

We are at work on our roads, bridges, footpaths in our main streets, parks and reserves.

We care for our community through building and developing community connections. We plan for the sustainable use of our land, we protect and manage our natural environment as we look to our community’s future.

Councils are responsible for many things, including managing building permits, resource consents and Animal Control. They run our libraries, parks, playgrounds and swimming pool, collect our rubbish and recycling, keep our streets well-lit, and encourage a thriving arts and culture scene by supporting events and parades.

“Our elected members will have a defining role in the future of the Waitomo district,” says Ben. “They make the decisions on shaping our future and are a voice for our community.

“I encourage you to learn about what your candidates are standing for and most importantly get out and vote.”

Local elections are held by postal vote, with voting papers being distributed between Tuesday 9 September and Monday 22 September.

Candidate names will appear on the voting papers in fully randomised order.

Papers will also include an option of voting for two Councillors to represent the Waipa-King Country constituency and one Councillor to represent the Nga Tai ki Uta for Waikato Regional Council.

Voters will have until midday on Saturday 11 October to return their voting form, either by return mail, or by dropping into a ballot box at Waitomo District Council’s main office on Queen Street, Customer Services and Visitor Hub on Rora Street, Waitomo District Library on Taupiri Street, Te Kuiti Medical Centre and The Warehouse.

Progress results will be available, and the declaration of the final results will be made as soon as possible following the close of voting.