Councils in the Western Bay of Plenty district are calling on people to get their nominations in for the upcoming local body elections – and early.

Nominations to stand for the council and the community boards of the Western Bay of Plenty District – and council seats on Bay of Plenty Regional Council – close at midday, next Friday, August 1.

Voters will elect one Western BOP District Mayor (at large), and nine councillors, which comprise two for the Katikati-Waihī Beach ward, three for Kaimai ward, three for the Maketū-Te Puke ward and one in the new Waka Kai Uru Māori Ward – to be elected by those on the Māori Electoral Roll.

Community board members across five boards, with new subdivisions introduced in some areas to ensure more localised representation, would also be elected.

For the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, a total of 14 regional councillor seats are up for grabs, to represent Tauranga, Western BOP, Rotorua, Whakatāne, Kawerau, Ōpōtiki and a small part of Taupō.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council (WBOPDC) had called on locals with passion, purpose and community pride to put their name forward.

WBOPDC governance manager Robyn Garrett said if residents care about their community, want to see change happen and are ready to step up, now’s their chance to get involved.

“You don’t have to be a seasoned politician to stand – just someone who cares about their community,” said Garrett.

“Our elected members are just everyday people who want to make a difference. They’re parents, growers, volunteers, business owners and kaimahi [workers] who care deeply about where they live. We’re encouraging anyone who’s passionate about their place to consider standing.

“Standing for council is one of the most direct and powerful ways to represent your community and help shape its future. The simple truth is that local government runs best when everyday people get involved.”

She said councillors and community board members set the direction for their towns and rohe, influence how rates are spent and services are delivered, and help make decisions on issues like transport, infrastructure, environment and community wellbeing.

“You don’t need to be a political expert or have a background in governance. You just need to care about your community, be willing to listen and learn, and want to make a positive difference in the place you call home,” Garrett said.

BOPRC wanted anyone thinking of getting their nomination in for this year’s local body elections to do so early.

The regional council’s governance manager Steve Groom asked people to get their forms in early and allow time for them to be checked and processed – a vital part of the process that allows any errors to be corrected or questions to be clarified before nominations close at midday on August 1.

“While there’s the temptation to just hold back and get your nomination in closer to the deadline, we don’t recommend people do this,” Groom said.

“We’ve had experiences in the past where nominations have been submitted close to the midday last-day cut-off and, unfortunately, have had errors in them that could not be corrected in the remaining time. We’re here to help and screen the nominations for any issues that prevent them being processed, but we can’t do that if time is against us.”

If you’re going to stand, go and see the council or give them a call earlier in the week, said Groom.

“If there’s something holding you back from putting your hand up – whether that be a part of the process or a question about the role and what it involves, come and have a chat.”

Groom said standing for council is a great thing to do: “It takes courage to put yourself out there, but the difference you can make for your communities, and for the people who live in the Bay of Plenty now, and into the future makes it very worthwhile.”

To find out more, see: www.boprc.govt.nz/elections or: www.westernbay.govt.nz/council/elections

For both councils, voting opens September 9 and closes October 11.

* With Tauranga City Council having been elected on July 20, 2024, the council’s next election is scheduled for 2028.