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.
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.
Making a stand made easy - a candidate's guide to local government (pdf, 514KB) has been prepared by Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) and provides information to anyone considering standing for election.
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.
These booklets are 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 (10 Monk 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.
| 3 July |
Candidate Information Meetings in Thames and Tairua |
| 23 July |
Candidate nomination open |
| 20 August |
Candidate nomination close |
| 17-22 September |
Voting documents are delivered |
| 9 October |
Voting closes 12 noon |
| 11-20 October |
Results announced |
| October / November |
New elected members sworn in |