Nominations for the vacant Invercargill City Council seat have officially opened, and some councillors have shared their views on the situation.
Deputy Mayor Tom Campbell said he has heard that some of the original candidates are not standing again, “so the field is wide open.”
He said it was definitely the time for a new person to come onto council if they wanted to put their hand up. “It could be somebody from left field.”
Cr Campbell said something a potential candidate should think about was if they have the time, and are prepared to commit the time and work collegiately with other councillors.
“It doesn’t matter what walk of life you come from. But there is a lot of work in it, particularly if they already have another job.”
As a new councillor himself, and reflecting on the past eight months in the role, he said being an elected member meant you work every day, although not all day.
“And I never expected it to be that level of work commitment. Having said that I’m enjoying it and certainly wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Cr Ian Pottinger said “that would be opening up a can of worms” when asked to suggest someone he’d like to see voted onto council.
Mayor Nobby Clark can nominate someone for council, but when asked if he would, he said “not yet, but may endorse later.”
The top five candidates behind those who were voted on to council in 2022 were Graham Lewis [6269 votes], Terry King [6108], Kerry Hapuku [5645], Rebecca Amundsen [5592] and Lisa Tou-McNaughton [5487].
Nigel Skelt was the highest polling councillor with 8390 votes.
A by-election will be held in August to fill the extraordinary vacancy left by Cr Skelt following his recent resignation.
Nominations close at noon Thursday 8 June, with election day set to be held on Friday 4 August.
“This is a unique opportunity for people to put their hand up to join our established Councillors in representing the Invercargill District,” Deputy Electoral Officer Michael Morris said.
“I encourage anyone who believes they will best serve the community to seek nominations and become a candidate.”
Nomination forms for people wishing to run are on the Council’s website icc.govt.nz
Any New Zealand citizen who is on the electoral roll, living anywhere in the country, is able to run. The only other prerequisite is they need to be nominated by two people who live in the Invercargill District.
Voting papers will begin arriving in mailboxes from 13 July. Election day will take place on 4 August and information on voting locations will be available on Council’s website.
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