Election countdown begins as candidate nominations open

Nominations for candidates in this year’s local body elections close on August 12 at 12noon.

Any NZ citizen who is enrolled to vote and is over 18 can stand for the positions of mayor, ward councillor, local board member, District Health Board member or a Licensing Trust member.

The candidates will be publicly notified between August 17 and 24. Postal voting starts on September 16 and voting closes on election day, October 8, at 12noon.

Salaries for the Rodney Local Board are $40,100 for board members and $75,000 for the board chair. Councillors are paid $104,250 a year.

Auckland Council has more information on the website aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/elections

In Kaipara, residents in the Otamatea Ward, which includes, Mangawhai, can stand for one of three positions for the Kaipara District Council, and for the Northland Regional Council.

The Northland District Health Board has seven members, which are ‘elected at large’.

Salaries are $26,855 for a district councillor, $53,000 for a regional councillor and $21,420 for a health board member, with higher rates for the roles of mayor and deputy mayor. For more information, visit kaipara.govt.nz/Elections.html