Elected members come from all walks of life and we want to ensure that this diversity continues so councils and community boards are representative of New Zealand communities. All you need to be an elected member, apart from being a New Zealand citizen and enrolled on the parliamentary electoral roll, is a willingness to participate and a commitment to serve your local community. Elected members take an oath to faithfully, impartially and according to their best skill and judgment, execute and perform their duties in the interests of the community, city, district or region.
Thames-Coromandel District Council nomination forms are available from Council offices, service centres and the Electoral Office prior to the election.
How to become an elected representative?
You must be:
- enrolled as a Parliamentary elector anywhere in New Zealand; and
- a New Zealand citizen.
You must be nominated by two people who need to sign your nomination form. These two people must be on the electoral roll in the ward or community you wish to represent.
Candidates may wish to refer to the Local Electoral Act 2001 regarding the election issues at www.knowledge-basket.co.nz/gpacts/public/text/2001/an/035.html
Enrolment as a Parliamentary Elector
If you are not on the Parliamentary roll, or if you need to make changes to your details (adress, etc.), you can do so by:
Completing the appropriate form at any post shop; or
Telephoning 0800 ENROLNOW (0800 367 656); or
Accessing the Electoral Enrolment Centre website on http://www.elections.org.nz
New Zealand Citizenship
A person wishing to stand for election who is not a New Zealand citizen, must apply for a grant of citizenship. To find out about the requirements for a grant, contact the Citizenship Office on 0800 22 51 51, or explore the pages on the Department of Internal Affairs' website: www.dia.govt.nz
It is important to note that the citizenship process takes several months and therefore prospective candidates should contact the Citizenship Office and put their applications in as soon as possible.
An applicant does not become a citizen merely by receiving a letter from the Department of Internal Affairs advising that their application has been approved. The applicant must have attended a citizenship ceremony and taken the oath or affirmation of allegiance. It is only after taking the oath or affirmation that the person becomes a New Zealand citizen and received a citizen certificate.
Thames-Coromandel District Council conducts a citizenship ceremony approximately two monthly following notification from the Department of Internal Affairs.
Candidate Information Booklet
This is made available prior to each election and contains useful information for anyone who is thinking of standing for election. Detailed Candidate Information Booklets will be available from :
- Council's Main Office (515 Mackay Street, Thames)
- Coromandel Service Centre (355 Kapanga Road, Coromandel)
- Mercury Bay Service Centre (46 Albert Street, Whitianga)
- Whangamata Service Centre (620 Port Road, Whangamata)
- Electoral Office (by phoning 0800 922 822)
Alternatively, you can click on the link below to download an electronic version:
Candidate information booklets for Environment Waikato and the Waikato District Health Board are distributed by their respective electoral offices.