Greater interest in local politics

INTEREST in the Manawatu District Council’s 2010 local body elections is significantly higher than in 2007, with 14 candidates already indicating their availability nine days out from the close of nominations.  

Deputy Electoral Officer, Janine Hawthorn, said the Feilding Ward would be hotly contested, with nine candidates to date having put their name forward for the five available seats. Ten candidates stood for the ward three years ago. 

“Such interest indicates a growing increase in local politics and democracy in the town,” she said. 

No elections are yet required for the Kairanga (three required) and Kiwitea-Pohangina (two required) Wards, but that is expected to change before nominations close at noon on Friday, August 20. Five people stood for Kairanga last time and three for Kiwitea-Pohangina. 

Manawatu District Mayor, Ian McKelvie, is again being challenged for the position by Councillor Steve Gibson. 

Mrs Hawthorn said people traditionally left it until the last week before sending in their nomination, but she warned that this allowed little room for manoeuvre if a nomination could not be validated. 

“Cheque payments can sometimes hang people up,” she said, “because if the bank does not clear it for whatever reason, then the nomination form is no longer valid. So candidates should allow plenty of time for the cheque to be cleared.” 

She also reminded candidates that they could submit a 150-word candidate profile with their nomination paper so it could be posted out to electors with the voting documents. 

“If someone leaves their nomination to the last minute and forgets about the profile, then they may be at a distinct disadvantage,” said Mrs Hawthorn. 

Nominations received by 9am today are:

District Mayor: Steve Gibson, Ian McKelvie. 

Feilding Ward (five members): Joyce Bailey, Matt Bell, Bryan Cresswell, Steve Gibson, Tony Jensen, Klayne Leitch, Kester Olivecrona, Russell Parker, Mark Waterson. 

Kairanga Ward (three members): Kara Lummis, Howard Voss.  

Kiwitea-Pohangina Ward (two members): John Baxter, Craig Manning. 

Electors will receive their voting documents from Friday, September 17, with completed forms to be returned by noon on Election Day, Saturday, October 9.