11 October 2017

Kaipara District Council announces by-election process

The resignation of Kaipara Mayor Greg Gent, which is effective 15 November 2017 will result in a vacancy.

Under the Local Electoral Act 2001, where a vacancy occurs before 20 November 2017 the by-election cannot occur before Saturday 17 February 2018.

Under this scenario nominations would open Friday 24 November 2017 and close at midday Friday 22 December 2017.

The voting period would be from Friday 26 January 2018 through to midday on Saturday 17 February 2018, conducted by postal vote.

The public notice of the result would be Wednesday 21 February 2018 and the newly elected Mayor could take office at that time.

The estimated cost for the by-election is $38,000. The bulk of this cost is for the production and distribution of the mailer and voting document.

If the newly elected Mayor was an existing Councillor then they would have to resign the Councillor role and this would trigger an additional vacancy and by-election. The cost of this is likely to be around $20,000.

ENDS

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