Could you be one of Taupō District’s next leaders?

Taupō District Council is urging people to start thinking about putting their hand up for a seat at the council table.

If you’re a New Zealand resident, enrolled on the electoral roll, and you’re passionate about improving the wellbeing of our community, this is the time to think about standing in this year's local government elections.

To help you prepare, check out the key information for candidates on votelocal.co.nz.

Nominations for candidates open in July, but preparation should begin much earlier because “there is a bit to consider when thinking about standing for Council,” says Taupō District Council chief executive Gareth Green.

“Councillors’ decisions have a huge impact on our residents. You’ll be creating positive change for our communities for today and into the future.

“You’ll be the leaders of our towns and villages and people will look to you for advice and guidance.

“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,” says Gareth.

“It’s an exciting time in Council. Taupō is growing at record speed, which means we’re facing some great opportunities and interesting challenges. As a councillor, you’ll be guiding our district through it all, and making sure we’re sustainable for future generations to come.”

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.

Now is the time to think about what you can bring to the table and start getting your ducks in a row in advance of the nomination period.

So, what skills does a councillor need?

There’re no special qualifications or experience required to stand for Council. Councillors can come with a wide range of skill sets – which is awesome – but 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.

So, do you have what it takes to stand for Council and lead the Taupō District into the future?