Local iwi helping candidates

Dr Toby Curtis

Rotorua's Te Arawa are being encouraged to vote for their people standing for positions in the up-coming local government elections.

Te Arawa are also helping Maori candidates raise their profiles during the elections by helping them with their campaigns.

Te Arawa kaumatua and chairman of Te Arawa Lakes Trust, Dr Toby Curtis, said the initiative was all about local iwi having a say about what happened in the district.

Dr Curtis said Te Arawa offered support to candidates running for a three-year term on the Rotorua District Council, Bay of Plenty Regional Council and Lakes District Health Board.

He said a number of candidates took up the offer, while some did not like the format and decided to go it alone.

He said a collective pamphlet had been produced for Te Arawa candidates in the three elections, while help had been offered for billboards and the wording of campaign leaflets.

It was also about making sure Te Arawa people voted in October's elections.

"No matter what group you belong to, we need to encourage people to vote so we get a much better turnout."

Dr Curtis said Te Arawa had an important local role to play.

"We are a major land owner and ratepayer in this area and a very significant contributor to economic development in this region.

"It's important we are represented as the cultural custodians of all of the resources here as well."

Rotorua District Council Te Arawa Standing Committee elected member, Potaua Biasiny-Tule, said Te Arawa had a great chance to be represented in council and it was incredible to see the range and depth of experience of all the candidates.

"But that means very little if we don't tick the paper and return it," he said.