19 August 2016

Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce & Industry urges voting in the 2016 local body elections

Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce & Industry is urging its members and business community stakeholders to make sure they have their say in the 2016 local election.

Voters will be able to cast their votes in the 2016 local council elections from Saturday 17 September and Chamber CEO Mark Futter says this is the chance for people to have a say in choosing the people who will represent their community.

“Local government and local democracy are fundamental to our community and provide the opportunity for everyone’s voice to be heard,” Futter says.

“The mayor, councillors, regional councillors and local and community board members are elected to be community leaders and to represent the views and interests of all citizens, so it is important as many people as possible vote.”

The local government sector plays an important role in New Zealand. In addition to giving citizens a say in how their communities are run, councils own a broad range of community assets worth more than $120 billion. These include 90 per cent of New Zealand's road network, the bulk of the country's water and waste water networks, and libraries, recreation and community facilities.

Council expenditure is approximately $8.5 billion dollars, representing approximately four per cent of Gross Domestic Product and 11 per cent of all public expenditure.

“We encourage people to familiarise themselves with the candidates in their communities throughout the region and make sure they are enrolled to vote. Our communities need the best

possible people on their councils and this is our chance to influence this,” Futter says.

Voting papers are being mailed to registered voters on September 16. People will start receiving their papers from the following day, with all papers expected to be delivered by Wednesday 21 September. Those who have not received their papers by then should contact their local Electoral Officer.

Voting papers must be received by the council before midday on Election Day, 8 October 2016.

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