It’s a cut-off, not a target. That’s the advice from Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s Steve Groom to anyone thinking of getting their nomination in for this year’s local body elections.

Instead, the Governance Manager is asking 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. Nominations officially close at 12pm on Friday 1 August.

“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,” Mr Groom says.

“We’ve had experiences in the past where nominations have been submitted close to the 12pm 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.

“A bit like a speed limit sign on the side of the road, we’re asking potential candidates not to think of the 12pm cut off as a target to aim for, but as something our team looks at to move to the next step in the process. If you’re going to stand, come and see us or give us a call earlier in the week.”

Following the usual pattern, the Regional Council saw an initial flurry of nominations come in to its electoral officials, but this slowed down in week two of nominations being open.

“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,” he says.

“Alternatively, check out our website information at www.boprc.govt.nz/elections, where you can find forms, information and links to other valuable resources.

"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.”

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