Vote2016: Make sure you have your say

Local government shapes the place that you live - it's the pavements you walk on, the roads you drive on, the water in your shower, the facilities and gardens in your parks, and more.

Postal voting for the 2016 local elections has opened and all completed voting papers must be returned to council by midday on 8 October.

As part of the Vote2016 campaign Saturday 1 October is being declared "Vote Day" and people are being encouraged to mark that date to send their completed papers.

Some of the main reasons people give for not voting are that they forgot, ran out of time or were too busy so to make sure people give themselves the best chance to have their say Rotorua Lakes Council is encouraging people to vote early on Vote Day.

That's a week out from the close of the polls.

If you're eligible to vote it's important you have a say in the selection of the people who will make decisions that affect your life on a daily basis.

Local government shapes the place that you live - it's the pavements you walk on, the roads you drive on, the water in your shower, the facilities and gardens in your parks, library services and the swimming pool where you take the kids.

The local government elections are a one-in-three-year opportunity to have your say and be counted.

This year Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) has run a Vote2016 campaign, which aims to lift voter turnout in local elections to more than 50 per cent for the first time since the 1980s.

If you want to know more about the work of council in the past few years and what's coming up, check out the 2016 pre-election report on council's website (go to www.rotorualakescouncil.nz/vote2016).

This report, a requirement of the Local Government Act, aims to inform the community and promote discussion, providing a snapshot of council's performance, key milestones achieved during the past three years and future key projects and challenges.

Mark it on your calendar or set your alarm for 1 October - Vote day

Why: Make sure you have your say by voting early

How: Visit https://www.nzpost.co.nz/tools/postshop-kiwibank-locator to find your nearest post box or office.

Find out more: Go to www.rotorualakescouncil.nz/vote2016