Tributes flow for Maketu chairwoman

Carol Poihipi.

Maketu Community Board chairwoman Carol Poihipi's death has come as a blow to the small community and will see the seats on the Maketu Community Board go uncontested.

Mrs Poihipi, who was running for a fourth term on the board, died on Sunday. A tribute on the Western Bay of Plenty District Council website described her as a "community stalwart".

"Her engaging approach and unrelenting focus on ensuring positive outcomes for all those she represented will be fondly remembered by all us at council. Our thoughts are with Carol's whanau at this time," it said.

Her candidate profile proudly described the improvements led by the community board during the last term, including BBQs, kerbing and channelling, drainage, stormwater, footpaths and the planning of an improved playground.

Mrs Poihipi would be missed, community board member Rachel Clark said: "She's been a real powerhouse for Maketu."

Her death left only four in the running for the four seats on the community board.

"We've got our four members so there won't be an election," Ms Clark said.

Ms Clark, Shane Beech, Gus Cantlon and Kelly Henderson will make up the board for the next term.