Strong interest in District Health Board elections

Nearly 430 nominations have been received for this year's District Health Board (DHB) elections.

Nominations for the elections closed at midday today (Friday 24 August) and each of the 21 DHBs had received between 13 and 35 nominations for the seven elected positions available on each board.

The Ministry of Health's DHB Governance Manager Dr Bruce Anderson said there had been interest in the elections from all sectors of the community.

"Some DHBs have received more nominations than the last elections and some have received less but overall interest is high this year," he says.

"Around two-thirds of existing board members are also seeking re-election, which will make for a closely contested race," he adds.

"It's great to see candidates from a diverse range of backgrounds putting themselves forward for the election from communities around the districts."

DHB elections are held under the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system, where voters rank their desired candidates in order of preference. Instead of putting a tick beside candidates' names, voters put a number.

The elections also use 'at-large' structures, where voters are able to express a preference for every candidate who stands for their board. DHB elections are held by postal vote at the same time as local government elections.

Voting packs will be posted out to all registered electors from 21 September and voting papers must be returned and in the hands of the DHB's electoral officer by midday on Saturday 13 October.

For more information visit www.yourdhb.org.nz

Candidate Numbers (as at 12 noon today): DHB Total
Northland 16
Waitemata 22
Auckland 26
Counties Manukau 33
Waikato 26
Lakes 15
Bay of Plenty 20
Tairawhiti 19
Taranaki 18
Hawke's Bay 18
Whanganui 23
MidCentral 14
Hutt 20
Capital and Coast 21
Wairarapa 14
Nelson Marlborough 20
West Coast 24
Canterbury 35
South Canterbury 13
Otago 13
Southland 18
TOTAL: 428