Nominations for Hastings District Council byelection open next month

New Hastings councillor Wendy Schollum, seen here being congratulated by Hastings mayor Sandra Hazlehurst, will be joined by another new councillor after next April's byelection. Photo / File

Nominations for the vacant councillor seat on the Hastings District Council open next month, with the byelection results due to be announced on April 16.

The Hastings-Havelock North ward seat became vacant when former councillor and acting deputy mayor Sandra Hazlehurst was elected as Hastings mayor in November.

Nominations for a new candidate open on January 16, and close on February 13, with postal voting closing at noon on Wednesday, April 11.

Up against six other contenders, businesswoman Wendy Schollum gained the Hastings-Havelock North councillor seat in the last byelection, after a vacancy arose with the resignation of former councillor Adrienne Pierce.

Seven people ran for this ward seat in November, and after that byelection most were uncertain if they would have another go, although Jason Whaitiri indicated it was more than likely he would run again.

For those considering standing next year the nomination forms are available from the Hastings council offices or website.

No qualifications or experience are needed to stand, candidates just need to be New Zealand citizens, on an electoral roll, and have two nominators who must be on the Hastings electoral roll.

Candidates do not need to live in the area they wish to stand for.

In the lead-up to the byelection Hastings and Havelock North residents can prepare by checking their details on the electoral roll are accurate before nominations close on February 13.

When it comes time to vote, only those living and/or owning property in the Hastings-Havelock North ward will receive voting papers.

With the summer break providing a hiatus from election fatigue for Hastings voters who faced November's byelection hot on the heels of the general election, voter turnout may improve.

Up until the last few days of the November Hastings mayoral and councillor byelection only 28 per cent of eligible voters had sent in their returns.

A last-minute flurry, however, bumped that up to 38.7 per cent, or 21,525 votes.

Information on nominations and voting are available on the Hastings District Council website.