Do you care deeply about Hamilton Kirikiriroa and want to help shape its future?

If you’re a thoughtful problem-solver, skilled at bringing people together and passionate about making a difference, now’s your chance to step up.

Hamiltonians interested in standing in the Hamilton City Council election have until midday on Friday 1 August to get their nomination papers in.

Earlier this month, Chief Executive Lance Vervoort released his Pre-election Report, highlighting the big challenges and opportunities facing our fast-growing city from managing rapid urban growth and waters reform to keeping Council’s finances on track and planning for the future.

“Strategic, long-term thinking is essential,” Vervoort said.

“We need leaders who understand the world we live in locally and globally and who can help guide Hamilton through change.”

To stand as a Councillor, candidates must be:

• a New Zealand citizen; and
• enrolled as a parliamentary elector (anywhere in New Zealand); and
• nominated by two electors whose names appear on the electoral rollfor the ward inwhich theyare standing as aCouncillor.

Those wanting to stand for the Hamilton mayoralty must be a New Zealand citizen and be enrolled as a parliamentary elector. They also need to be nominated by two electors on Hamilton City Council’s three electoral rolls (east, west and/or Maaori ward).

Vervoort said an ideal outcome would be for the city’s community to be reflected among its Elected Members.

“Hamilton Kirikiriroa is one of New Zealand’s most diverse cities. We need leaders who represent our people and bring a mix of professional backgrounds and lived experiences from health and education to law, accountancy, business and community groups.

“When cultures and ethnicities are truly represented, they challenge the status quo, inspire new thinking, and offer fresh ways of leading that speak to the vibrant makeup of our city.

“Different perspectives make for better decisions.”

To learn more about standing for Council, what it means and the rules around elections, go to hamilton.govt.nz/stand.

To read the Pre-election Report, and find out all about Council and what challenges the city is facing, go to hamilton.govt.nz/PER.

Take action, Hamilton! The future depends on you.

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