Mayoral candidate: Ross Meurant. File pictures
Only three names will appear on the ballot paper, not four, in September-October when voters choose Gisborne’s first new mayor since 2001.
Jonathan Pere, the 43-year-old domestic violence and suicide prevention activist, who announced his candidacy in February, had not been nominated when yesterday’s deadline passed.
Mr Pere did not respond to Herald inquiries after a spokeswoman confirmed Gisborne District Council had not received his nomination.
He had already attended one public meeting several months ago with fellow candidates and current Gisborne district councillors Rehette Stoltz and Meredith Akuhata-Brown.
Mrs Stoltz and Ms Akuhata-Brown are contesting the mayoralty to replace the retiring Meng Foon, alongside Ross Meurant.
The former National Party MP for Hobson (in Northland), policeman, and businessman with property and forestry interests in Gisborne, announced his candidacy earlier this week after placing an advertisement in last Saturday’s Herald seeking public feedback.
Mr Meurant said he would move to Gisborne if elected.
Mrs Stoltz was first elected to council in 2010 and was the highest polling city ward councillor in 2013 and 2016.
She has served two terms as deputy mayor, and was voted in as mayor, effective from August 22, at an extraordinary meeting of councillors last week.
Mr Foon has been appointed race relations commissioner and will take up the position on August 26.
Mrs Akuhata-Brown was first elected to council in 2013, and like Mrs Stoltz, is also a Hauora Tairawhiti board member.
She is standing for re-election to both council and the health board.
Mrs Stoltz is standing for the mayoralty only.
Twenty-five candidates including six incumbents will seek election for nine positions in the city ward. Long-serving councillor Brian Wilson and one-termer Karen Fenn had previously announced their intention to retire.
Sitting councillors Larry Foster, Andy Cranston, Amber Dunn, Josh Wharehinga, Shannon Dowsing and Ms Akuhata-Brown are seeking re-election.
Other candidates are Ross Chatterton, Debbie Gregory, Alistar McKellow, David Sly, Rachel Lodewyk, Lizz Crawford, Courtenay Waikari, Joelene Andrew, Dayle Takitimu, Nick Tupara, Shane Vermeulen, Tui Warmenhoven, Glenis Philip-Barbara and 18-year-old Gisborne district youth councillor Alice Kibble.
Also trying for the city ward are Terry Sheldrake, Tina Karaitiana, Clive Bibby and Mary Liza Manuel who have all stood before, and 2013 mayoral candidate Tony Robinson.
Five candidates are seeking the Waipaoa ward seat vacated by the retiring Graeme Thomson who has held the ward for two terms and previously represented the Cook ward.
Malcolm MacLean, elected for Taruheru-Patutahi three years ago, is challenged by Federated Farmers Gisborne/Wairoa provincial president Sandra Faulkner.
Veteran councillor Bill Burdett will again face off against Kerry Kururangi in Matakaoa-Waiapu.
Three years ago Mr Burdett retained the ward by 391 votes to Ms Kururangi’s 249, and by 343 votes to 256 in 2013.
Six-term councillor Pat Seymour, Tawhiti-Uawa Ward, is again elected unopposed.
Mr Foon’s six-term service as Gisborne mayor is the second-equal longest behind the nine terms of Sir Harry Barker (1950 to 1977) and equal with John Townley (1890-1908).
Mr Foon congratulated all who had been nominated to stand for election.
“I encourage all candidates to be respectful to other candidates and their communities during their election campaign.
“Representing your community on council is a very honourable thing to do.
“For me the council is the best organisation that I have served.
“We together shape the future of our district.
“Be true to your community, be brave at the council table and ensure that you speak and bring the issues of your community to the council table for debate.
“Nga mihinui kia ora.”
Eighteen candidates have put their names forward for the seven seats around the table of Hauora Tairawhiti. They are Heather Robertson, Rose Gould-Lardelli, Andy Cranston, Sandra Faulkner, Malcolm MacLean, Hiki Pihema, Josh Wharehinga, Meredith Akuhata-Brown, Clive Bibby, Rachel Lodewyk, Glenis Philip-Barbara, Tony Robinson, Tracey Clare, Nicola McCartney, Angus Ngarangioue, Pita Paul, Dayle Takitimu, Nick Tupara and Peeti Wainui Rauna.
Ballot papers will be posted out from September 29 and must be received by the electoral officer by noon on October 12.