Information for candidates
Nomination information
Candidate nominations closed at 12 noon on Friday 12 August 2022.
It’s an exciting time to be part of local government and becoming a councillor is a great opportunity to see our community progress with your dedication. A democracy only succeeds if people who care for our community are prepared to give it a go, do their bit and have a say.
It is important that you take time to learn about how the council works and your roles and responsibilities if you get elected. Take some time to dig deep into what Taupō District Council does – listen in to one of our council meetings, check out our Long-term Plan, read some of our stories and learn what we are all about.
The Taupō District Council election will be for the mayor and 12 councillors. Two of these seats are being introduced in the new district-wide Māori ward. Candidates can choose to stand in the Māori ward or one of the general wards. Although councillors are elected from their respective wards, it’s their duty to represent the interests of the whole district.
Nomination involves the following steps:
- Completion of an official nomination form (see the section below), sent to Council’s electoral officer Warwick Lampp
- Nominations from two people. Candidates cannot nominate themselves, and those who nominate candidates must be over 18 years old and enrolled to vote in the area the candidate is planning to stand.
- Candidates must consent to their nomination going forward.
- A $200 deposit must be paid, which may be refunded depending on election results.
- Candidates must be New Zealand citizens and enrolled as an parliamentary elector (you must be 18 years or older).
What do you stand for?
It's local government elections in October and it’s time to consider what’s important to you and whether you want to stand for a seat at the Council table.
The Taupō District Council election will be for the Mayor and 12 councillors as follows:
- Taupō Ward (7 councillors)
- Mangakino/Pouakani Ward (1 councillor)
- Taupō East Rural Ward (1 councillor)
- Tūrangi/Tongariro Ward (1 councillor)
- One district-wide Māori Ward – Te Papamārearea (2 councillors)
- Mayor elected at large
The elections will give you the chance to help improve the wellbeing of all of those who live, work, and play in our beautiful district.
We need people who can see beyond today to the impact their decisions will have on future generations and act in the best interests of our community. People who are compassionate, with an open mind and the ability to take on new information while filtering out misinformation. People who can put individual opinions aside to act on behalf of our diverse community.
Why should you stand for council?
- To contribute to the development and improvement of our community.
- To make a difference and be involved in shaping the future of our local community.
- To represent the views of local people and ensure that community interests are considered.
- To contribute your business or professional skills to help our community realise its potential.
As part of the Vote22 campaign encouraging quality candidates, outgoing Tūrangi-Tongariro councillor Tangonui Kingi spoke to us about why he stood for council and his pride in making the community a better place.
Our council represents everyone in the community including our tamariki and rangatahi. We need councillors who can represent all ages, while looking towards the future. It is our youngest citizens who will inherit the outcomes of decisions we make today.
We spoke with local rangatahi Stevie Manunui about her dreams for the future of the Taupō District, how Council can engage better with youth and what she believes should be at the heart of every conversation.
Who can be a candidate?
Candidate requirements
To be a candidate for an elected member position, you must be:
- A New Zealand citizen
- Over 18 years old
- Enrolled on the electoral roll
Other requirements are that:
- The candidate or their spouse/partner must not have concerns or interests in contracts over $25,000 with the council.
- If the candidate is subject to a Court Order under section 31 of the Protection of Personal and Property Rights Act 1988, they should take legal advice.
- If the candidate is an employee of the council, they must resign before taking up their position as an elected member.
Candidate behaviours
There are not any formal qualifications required to become a candidate in the local elections. Elected members (councillors) come from all backgrounds and walks of life, with varied skill sets. However, there are certain behaviours that will help you provide effective governance in your role:
- Impartial
- Public interest focus
- Tolerance and respect
- Responsible
- Open and sincere
Becoming an elected member will give you a voice on how our district is run for the next three years, and the opportunity to make decisions that will have an impact for generations to come.
You would play a defining role in the future of the Taupō District.
Being an effective councillor
In addition, there is expertise that makes an effective councillor:
- Communication / whakawhiti kōrero
You’ll be the voice and representative of the people of our district. You’ll need to speak publicly in meetings, events, and with media, and clearly articulate your opinion on issues facing the Taupō District.
- Decision-making and strategy / te whakatau me te rautaki
Helping to run our district is a juggling act and you’ll need a clear head and an open mind. You’ll consider the differing and important needs of our communities and understand the wider impacts of the decisions you make at Council. Councillors make decisions based on information, advice, and recommendations from Council staff, so understanding how Council plan and pay for everything is important.
- Collaboration / mahi tahi
You’ll need to focus on relationships and building partnerships. Your political influence goes beyond the rohe – how you represent the Taupō District with local and national partners is pivotal.
- Learning / ako
You’ll need to be aware of the key issues facing our district now and continue learning as the district evolves. You’ll understand more about what makes the Taupō District tick, and the different communities that make our district special.
There’s a large reading component to help you prepare for Council meetings too, where you’ll pick up plenty of Council-specific jargon and processes.
- Passion / ngākaunui
As with any job, you should be enthusiastic about it! If you’re active in your community, a parent or passionate citizen, if you are #TŪRANGIPROUD and #LOVETAUPŌ, think about standing and shaping our future.
Pre-Election report
The 2022 Pre-Election Report provides voters and candidates with information about the council’s financial position, major projects planned and the key issues facing the district. Its purpose is to promote informed public discussion in the lead up to the local body elections this year.
Candidate briefing sessions
Taupō District Council’s electoral officer Warwick Lampp hosting a series of candidate briefings in the Taupō district at the end of June.
Candidate handbook
Detailed information about standing in the 2022 Local Government Elections in the Taupō District is available in our candidate handbook.
Candidates guide
Local Government New Zealand have put together a comprehensive guide for candidates. It contains information on roles and responsibilities of elected members, the type of people we are looking for and how to campaign for election.
- Download the LGNZ Candidates Guide for more information on what it means to be an elected member.
- Download the LGNZ Guide to Local Government for more information of how local government works.
Go to the Vote Local website for more information for candidates.
Standing for our Māori Ward – Te Papamārearea
To be eligible to stand for our Māori ward, you must be a New Zealand citizen and your name must be on the Parliamentary Electoral Roll anywhere in New Zealand. You do not need to reside in the Taupō District. You will need to be nominated by two electors whose names appear on the Māori electoral roll within the Taupō District.
Equally if you are on the Māori electoral roll you can stand in a general ward, and will need to be nominated by two electors whose names appear on the general electoral roll within the Taupō District.
Electoral staff contacts
Taupō District Council electoral officer
Warwick Lampp
Phone: 021 498 517
Email: wlampp@electionz.com
Taupō District Council deputy electoral officer
Shainey James
Phone: 07 376 0831
Email: sjames@taupo.govt.nz
