Candidates front up for showdown

Election billboards have begun popping up around the region, signalling the start of the local government election campaigns for many aspiring candidates.

Hastings District Council's electoral officer Richard Palmer said nominations opened for local government and District Health Board candidates on July 19 and would close at noon on August 16.

"Anyone wishing to stand as a candidate for Hastings District Council, the Hastings District Rural Community Board, Flaxmere Licensing Trust or Hawke's Bay District Health Board should get their nominations in early.

"We are encouraging anyone who wants to make a difference in the local community to consider standing. Elected members make decisions which reflect the wishes of the community and impact on everybody's lives, so it is important that they are people who know what their communities think and who have the trust of the people."

Anyone over the age of 18 could stand for election as long as they were a New Zealand citizen and enrolled on the electoral roll.

The recent amendments to the Local Electoral Act introduced changes to the opening and closing dates for nominations, and all documents for the nomination must now be submitted together.

These documents included the nomination form, nomination deposit of $200 and the optional candidate profile statement and photo.

"It is important that people do not leave their nominations until the last day. Candidates need to leave themselves time to correct any deficiencies, as any nominations that arrive after noon on August 16 cannot be accepted," Mr Palmer said.

The candidate information handbook available on the council's website had information for prospective candidates.

The election is by postal vote and voting papers would be posted out from September 20, 2013. The papers must be returned by midday on election day, October 12 2013.