Postal Voting Made Easier With Orange Boxes
Orange ballot boxes are expected to pop up around North Canterbury later this year.
Waimakariri District Council deputy electoral officer Sarah Nichols said orange ballot boxes will be deployed around the district in September and October to make it easier for people to vote in this year's local government elections.
''We are still finalising the locations, but we are intending to have more than we did last time.
''With less post boxes around, we want to make sure people are able to have their say.''
She said voting papers from any neighbouring district will be accepted in Waimakariri ballot boxes, ''as they all end up in the same place''.
Christchurch-based electionz.com runs the elections for several councils around the country, including the Waimakariri, Hurunui and Kaikōura districts.
Nominations open on Friday, July 4, with 35 positions up for grabs in Waimakariri - including mayor, 10 councillors, 24 community board members.
In Hurunui, nominations will be accepted for mayor, 10 councillors, community board members in Hanmer Springs and south ward (including Amberley) and the Cheviot Licensing Trust.
Nominations will also be accepted for two councillors in Environment Canterbury's North Canterbury constituency.
Ms Nichols said there were more than 80 candidates in the Waimakariri district in 2022, with contests required for all positions.
''It will be interesting how many come forward. We are certainly encouraging people from all walks of life and ages to stand for their community.''
She said she hoped recent publicity about online abuse of female politicians will not deter too many people from standing.
''It is certainly a factor for people to consider. Abuse can range from texts or emails, it can be keyboard warriors and in-person and none of it is acceptable behaviour.
''We hope it is a clean campaign with issues being debated, rather than personal traits.''
Ms Nichols said there had not been too many issues with candidate nominations not complying with the rules in the past.
Candidates need to submit a passport sized photo with their 150 word profile.
The photo needs to be of your head and shoulders, with no sunglasses, no hat and not accompanied by whānau, pets, friends or kissing a baby.
Candidates must be a New Zealand citizen. You do not need to reside in the district(s) you choose to stand in - but your two nominees do.
If you or your partner hold a contract of more than $25,000 for your local council you cannot stand, unless you have prior approval from the Auditor-General.
Nominations close at 12noon on Friday, August 1, and no late nominations are accepted.
Once nominations close, you are on the ballot paper, Ms Nichols said.
Voting papers are posted out from September 9, with voting closing at 12noon on Saturday, October 11.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
18 hours ago
- RNZ News
Grace Curtis: The Best is Yet to Come
Photo: Supplied / Grace Curtis It's often described as the silent killer - on average, about 500 New Zealanders die each year by suicide, more than in motor accidents and drownings combined. And behind each of those deaths, are families and friends whose lives are changed forever. Mental health advocate Grace Curtis knows the full weight of that all too well - she was 22 when she lost her father to suicide. Since then, she's created a mental health movement called Cool Change NZ and finished a double degree in Law and Political Science at the University of Canterbury. Grace chronicles her personal journey through deep grief to advocacy and healing in The Best is Yet to Come . Mental health advocate Grace Curtis and broadcaster Mihingarangi Forbes. Photo: RNZ / Jessie Chiang If you are affected by this story, to get help: Lifeline : 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357 Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO (24/7). This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends. Depression Helpline : 0800 111 757 (24/7) or text 4202 Samaritans : 0800 726 666 (24/7) Youthline : 0800 376 633 (24/7) or free text 234 or email talk@ In an emergency call 111.
Scoop
a day ago
- Scoop
‘Easy Win': ECan To Push For Rangiora To Rolleston Commuter Train
Article – David Hill – Local Democracy Reporter Environment Canterbury has voted unanimously to lobby KiwiRail for a passenger rail service from Rangiora to Rolleston. The idea of a commuter train taking passengers from Rangiora and Rolleston into Christchurch is gathering steam, but not everyone is on board. Environment Canterbury (ECan) voted to approach KiwiRail to assist in preparing a business case for a Rangiora to Rolleston passenger rail service. Councillor Joe Davies moved the motion, which was passed unanimously by councillors at a meeting on Tuesday. He said a Rangiora to Rolleston service would be ''an easy win'', compared to the proposed mass rapid transit rail service in Christchurch, as the infrastructure is already in place. ''We can't wait 20 or 30 years, we need it in five to 10 years. ''There's a corridor already in place so there would be significantly lower set up costs compared to the mass rapid transit proposal and this is an opportunity to link Rangiora and Rolleston to the city.'' The proposed route covers 54.7km and links Rolleston and Rangiora with central Christchurch and serves 13 stations. As housing developments have grown, so has the commuting time to the city. Cr Davies said once the service was in place, a mass rapid transit service could be built off it. The service could easily be extended to link with towns like Amberley, Ashburton and Timaru, and into Otago and Southland using existing rail infrastructure. ''Greater Christchurch is the population centre so that's where it needs to start,'' Cr Davies said. Under the proposal, chairperson Craig Pauling, deputy chair Deon Swiggs and Cr Davies will meet with other councils to prepare a position statement before meeting with KiwiRail's board in September. ECan would fund the business case and has set aside funding in year four of the 2024/34 Long Term Plan for a possible rail project. Waimakariri Mayor Dan Gordon said he is interested in the idea. ''We regularly get submissions from residents who like the idea of rail from Rangiora to Christchurch. ''I will be interested to hear the response from KiwiRail.'' KiwiRail executive general manager passenger, Tracey Goodall, said there is a clear process for considering the viability of passenger rail. ''It starts with the local councils, who understand their communities' public transport needs best, and talking to Waka Kotahi New Zealand Transport Agency. ''KiwiRail is happy to provide rail expertise into any business case, including rolling stock (carriage) availability and costs.'' Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey said previous reports have indicated commuter rail on the main trunk line is unworkable due the Addington station not being close to where the majority of people work these days and the lack of a passing lane to accommodate freight. ''Rather than coming up with pie in the sky motions, ECan should focus on reducing rates which have rapidly increased – putting more pressure on ratepayers in a cost-of-living crisis.'' Rail Minister Winston Peters is overseas and unavailable for comment. Opposition transport spokesperson Tangi Utikere said Labour supports the use of rail as ''an environmentally friendly'' option for passengers and freight. ''If a business case provided strong rationale Labour would be open to supporting passenger rail from Rangiora to Rolleston.'' Longtime rail advocate John McCaskey said the service could easily be extended into the Hurunui district. ''Count the number of people travelling in a car on their own. If they could park up at Waipara and take the train you would be on to a winner. ''Waipara is sitting there waiting to be used with the infrastructure and the terminus, and we have the feeder lines from Hawarden and Scargill – everything is still there.'' Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger said he supported looking into any public transport options that would assist the region as it continues to grow. Selwyn Mayor Sam Broughton backed any conversation that advances the potential for a Mass Rapid Transit solution connecting Rolleston, Rangiora and Christchurch City. 'It is important that all MRT options, including rail and other transport modalities, be thoroughly weighed against each other in terms of costs, benefits, and long-term viability. The work on this is currently underway with the Greater Christchurch Partnership (GCP). 'I look forward to Canterbury Regional Council coming back to GCP members with options and intel they gain through their kōrero with KiwiRail. This will help inform our wider thinking about public transport in the region.'
Scoop
a day ago
- Scoop
Postal Voting Made Easier With Orange Boxes
Orange ballot boxes are expected to pop up around North Canterbury later this year. Waimakariri District Council deputy electoral officer Sarah Nichols said orange ballot boxes will be deployed around the district in September and October to make it easier for people to vote in this year's local government elections. ''We are still finalising the locations, but we are intending to have more than we did last time. ''With less post boxes around, we want to make sure people are able to have their say.'' She said voting papers from any neighbouring district will be accepted in Waimakariri ballot boxes, ''as they all end up in the same place''. Christchurch-based runs the elections for several councils around the country, including the Waimakariri, Hurunui and Kaikōura districts. Nominations open on Friday, July 4, with 35 positions up for grabs in Waimakariri - including mayor, 10 councillors, 24 community board members. In Hurunui, nominations will be accepted for mayor, 10 councillors, community board members in Hanmer Springs and south ward (including Amberley) and the Cheviot Licensing Trust. Nominations will also be accepted for two councillors in Environment Canterbury's North Canterbury constituency. Ms Nichols said there were more than 80 candidates in the Waimakariri district in 2022, with contests required for all positions. ''It will be interesting how many come forward. We are certainly encouraging people from all walks of life and ages to stand for their community.'' She said she hoped recent publicity about online abuse of female politicians will not deter too many people from standing. ''It is certainly a factor for people to consider. Abuse can range from texts or emails, it can be keyboard warriors and in-person and none of it is acceptable behaviour. ''We hope it is a clean campaign with issues being debated, rather than personal traits.'' Ms Nichols said there had not been too many issues with candidate nominations not complying with the rules in the past. Candidates need to submit a passport sized photo with their 150 word profile. The photo needs to be of your head and shoulders, with no sunglasses, no hat and not accompanied by whānau, pets, friends or kissing a baby. Candidates must be a New Zealand citizen. You do not need to reside in the district(s) you choose to stand in - but your two nominees do. If you or your partner hold a contract of more than $25,000 for your local council you cannot stand, unless you have prior approval from the Auditor-General. Nominations close at 12noon on Friday, August 1, and no late nominations are accepted. Once nominations close, you are on the ballot paper, Ms Nichols said. Voting papers are posted out from September 9, with voting closing at 12noon on Saturday, October 11.
