2010 Local Elections

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2010 Local Elections

Back from left - Roly Ellis (Tararu District Council), Aldo Miccio (Nelson City Council), Ross Paterson (Western Bay of Plenty District Council), Harry Duynhoven (New Plymouth District Council), Bryan Cadogan (Clutha District Council), Winton Dalley (Hurunui District Council), Alex Familton (Waitaki District Council), Peter Butler (Central Hawke's Bay District Council), Dave Cull (Dunedin City Council), Alfred Preece (Chatham Islands Council), Angus McKay (Ashburton District Council), Brian Hanna (Waitomo District Council), Tony Bonne (Whakatane District council), Winston Gray (Kaikoura District Council), Morris Cutforth (Whangarei District Council), Ron Mark (Carterton District Council), Neil Volzke (Stratford District Council).
Front from left - Lawrence Yule, LGNZ President (Hastings District Council), Celia Wade-Brown (Wellington City Council), Claire Barlow (Mackenzie District Council), Annette Main (Wanganui District Council), Eugene Bowen, LGNZ chief executive.
Absent - Nick Leggett (Porirua City Council), Ray Wallace (Hutt City Council).

Communities across the country have had their say in the 2010 local body elections and the results delivered 25 new mayors from Whangarei in the north to Clutha in the south.

In the days immediately following their election, many of the new mayors attended a two-day workshop hosted by LGNZ and the KnowHow professional development team. The workshop gave participants an introduction to what the role of mayor entails.

During the workshop the new mayors heard some of the tricks of the trade from experienced mayors. They were also briefed on issues in the sector and most importantly got the chance to meet each other and network.

Pre-elections information

The local body elections were held in October 2010, at the same time as the elections for district health boards (DHBs).

Information for media

LGNZ prepared A Journalist's Guide to Local Government for the elections. Download the guide. (pdf, 1.11MB)

Information for candidates

Councils and community boards need interesting and interested people to stand for election. If you're passionate about your community or have a strong interest in local democracy, you should consider standing for election. Your community needs elected members from all walks of life to represent New Zealand's diversity.

elections2010.co.nz portal

You may have read about the www.elections2010.co.nz in the LGNZ Making a Stand brochure or information provided directly by your council.

It is a tool that is free to use and gives you the opportunity to engage with the community and promote the issues that matter to you. LGOL have worked closely with the SOLGM Electoral Working Party in developing the portal and the resource is designed to complement official and individual candidate activity.

For more information read the announcement or email LGOL.

Making a stand made easy - a candidate's guide to local government

This handbook prepared by LGNZ is available online (pdf) and in hard copy through your local council.

Making a stand made easy - branding for council publications

The branding used in Making a Stand Made Easy is also available for councils to utilise in their own publications in line with usage guidelines.

The image files and guidelines are available for download. (zip folder, 3.65MB)

Information and resources for councils

LGNZ has prepared a range of resources for our member councils to help promote enrolment, encourage candidates to stand, and get more people voting. These resources have been sent out to councils and are available for download.

Powerpoint template

Presentation for use at candidate workshops

Media release templates (Word document)

These media releases are not prescriptive - they are suggestions for councils to use if relevant to highlight information pertinent to their region.

Timeline

Key dates for the elections campaign (pdf)

Hard copies of Making a stand made easy will be mailed out to council electoral officers by 17 May 2010. The backgrounders on FPP and STV voting below could also be used by councils to inform voters.

Other material

The Electoral Enrolment Centre's posters and other material can be ordered online through their website. The page will be updated with their local elections material as soon as it is printed.

Information for voters

Local government elections are conducted using either the First Past the Post (FPP) or the Single Transferable Vote (STV) voting systems. All DHB members are elected using the STV system.

Local Government New Zealand has prepared backgrounders on FPP and STV voting for councils and voters:

First Past the Post background (Word doc)
Single Transferable Voting background (Word doc)

To vote in local government and DHB elections, and to stand as a candidate, you need to be enrolled on the electoral roll. You can call 0800 ENROL NOW (0800 36 76 56) for more information, or click here to enrol or check your enrolment details.

Important dates

23 July	Candidate nominations open
20 August	Candidate nominations close Roll closes
25 August	Public notice given of candidates' names
17-22 September	Voting documents delivered
9 October	Voting closes 12 noon
11-20 October	Results announced
November	New elected members sworn in

Last updated: February 2011