Te Hiku by-election voting packs on way

Eligible voters keen to have their say on who will represent the Te Hiku constituency around the Northland Regional Council table should be receiving their official postal voting documents next week.

Seven people have put their names forward to contest the Northland Regional Council Te Hiku seat left vacant by the October death of Councillor Dennis Bowman.

Independent contractor Election Services, which is handling the by-election for the regional council, says all resident electors and non-resident ratepayer electors of the Te Hiku Constituency whose names are on the latest electoral roll are eligible to vote.

Mr Ofsoske says postal voting documents will be mailed to all eligible voters from Tuesday 27 January.

"The voting period is three weeks from then until noon on Tuesday 17 February. A polling place for the issuing of special voting documents and receiving completed voting documents will also be available over that same period from regional council's Kaitaia and Whangarei offices."

Mr Ofsoske says eligible voters whose packs have not arrived by Friday 30 January should contact the electoral office on 0800 922 822 for a special vote.

"Candidate statements issued by the seven people contesting the seat – as well as other background information about the by-election itself – is available via www.nrc.govt.nz/byelection "

Mr Ofsoske says preliminary results will be known as soon as practicable after the close of voting on 17 February and will also be available on the website. The successful candidate will be officially declared by public notice on Saturday 21 February.