Now is the time to consider how you can make your mark on the future of your home, and stand for the Stratford District Council (SDC) or Taranaki Regional Council (TRC).
Nominations for the 2022 local elections open this Friday 15 July and close at 12noon on 12 August.
Potential candidates are invited to learn more about standing for council and what it means to be an elected member at a Candidate Information Day at 12noon on Saturday 16 July 2022 in Council Chambers, 63 Miranda Street Stratford.
Hear from and ask questions of SDC Chief Executive Sven Hanne, TRC Director Corporate Services Mike Nield and Taranaki Electoral Officer Dale Ofsoske.
SDC Chief Executive Sven Hanne says it’s an exciting time to become a candidate in the local elections. “With a huge schedule of Government reforms happening, the next few years will be important in making sure our community continues to move in the right direction,” he says.
“If you’re passionate about this community and want to help lead the district into a positive future, I encourage you to stand for council.”
Anyone over the age of 18 can stand in the local elections as long as they are a New Zealand citizen and on the electoral roll. This year also sees the introduction of a Māori Ward seat for both SDC and TRC, as a result of the 2021 Representation Review.
“Standing for council is a unique opportunity to make a real difference to the place we call home,” says Mr Hanne. “There’s no other level of government that is more directly involved in the day-to-day happening within your local community, than your council. Local government shapes where you live, and mayors and councillors have a leadership role to represent all voices in the community.”
“We have an incredible pool of talent in the Stratford district, people who are already seen as community leaders - I encourage those people to take this opportunity to step up and have a real influence on the key issues that affect their family, friends, colleagues, neighbours and the wider community,” says Mr Hanne.
Learn how, as an elected member, you can help make decisions that shape the development of the Stratford district and wider Taranaki region and build strong local communities – come along to the Candidate Information Day this Saturday 16 July.
Nomination forms will be available at the Candidate Information Day, as well as from our Service Centre and on Council’s website stratford.govt.nz from 15 July 2022.
Candidates are asked to phone our electoral officers on 06 765 6099 in advance of bringing in their nomination forms to ensure enough time is available to go through the paperwork.
