Seven candidates seek seat

SEVEN nominations were received by the Manawatu District Council to fill the vacancy on its Feilding Ward following the election of Councillor Margaret Kouvelis as the new District Mayor.

The candidates are Shane Casey, Wayne Ellery, Kim Fenn, Jeanette Goodwin, Grant Hadfield and Ange Jury, of Feilding, and Russell Johnson, of Palmerston North. 

None of the candidates stood for council at the 2010 Local Body Elections, though Mr Johnson contested the recent mayoral by-election.

Deputy Electoral Officer Janine Hawthorn said voting papers for the upcoming by-election would be posted to about 10,000 ward residents and ratepayers from May 14. Postal voting closes at noon on June 6.