District Health Boards need real people with real experience

Health Minister Annette King is looking for “real people with real experience” to stand in this year’s District Health Board elections. Nominations open tomorrow (July 23) for October’s District Health Board (DHB) elections, which will use Single Transferable Voting (STV) for the first time.

Ms King says she would like to see the boards include people with a wider variety of backgrounds and skills to ensure a greater community voice in DHB decision making. “The public might ask ‘Who me?’ but we need real people with real experience so that boards truly reflect the communities they serve.”

The introduction of STV, where voters rank their desired candidates in order of preference, gives voters more choice and power to determine the total make-up of the boards, says Ms King.

“Voters are not restricted to just voting for a few candidates. They are able to rank as many or as few candidates as they wish under STV. STV and the ‘at-large’ structures allow boards to better reflect the regional nature of health service provision.”

Voters in this year’s DHB elections will have a say in the election of all seven elected board members using ‘at-large’ structures, instead of just voting for the candidates that were in their ward or constituency.

Ms King encourages people who want to make a difference to the health of their community to act now. “Nearly 150 elected positions are available nationally for people passionate about how health services are delivered in their region.”

For further information on standing as a candidate, call toll-free on 0508 9 10 2004, visit http://www.moh.govt.nz/dhbelections or contact your DHB.

Nominations for candidates close at midday on August 20.

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