9 August 2016

Deadline looming for regional council nominations

The deadline is looming for people who want to register to stand in this year’s Waikato Regional Council elections.

Candidate nominations for the regional council close at noon this Friday 12 August, as they do for other councils around the country.

Waikato Regional Council will have 12 vacancies across six general constituencies, and two vacancies in the two Māori constituencies.

“The Waikato region is our home – it’s where we live, work, study and play – and it’s also important for New Zealand,” said chief executive Vaughan Payne.

“Standing for Waikato Regional Council is an incredible opportunity to make decisions on the wide range of important issues affecting the 440,000 people living in the Waikato region.

“Our councillors have real influence over the key issues affecting their families, friends and communities, and we encourage people interested in standing to come forward in time to meet the deadline.”

Mr Payne said the council is working hard to make the mighty Waikato the best it can be, with a healthy and sustainable environment, an economy that’s going places, and communities that are as resilient as they are vibrant.

“Our council provides governance and management of the natural resources upon which our economy relies. We also provide protection against flooding to safeguard people and billions of dollars of urban property, productive farmland and national highways.”

Also, the council’s biosecurity and biodiversity activities help protect the environment and the economy, while transport planning and provision keeps the region moving. Civil defence and emergency management teams are ready to respond to natural events such as floods, earthquakes or tsunami.

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