Waihī Beach residents will vote to fill the vacant Community Board seat following the resignation of Alan Kurtovich.

Alan is stepping down from the role, effective immediately, triggering a Western Bay of Plenty District Council by-election to select a new Community Board member.

A by-election must be held to fill the vacant seat because it’s more than 12 months before the next Local Body Election in 2025.

Alan received 844 votes in the October 2022 Local Body Elections, alongside Ross Goudie’s 809, Dani Simpson’s 740 and Heather Marie Guptill’s 527, and was appointed deputy chairperson.   

Electoral Officer Dale Ofsoske has confirmed the by-election process began August 25– with nomination papers now available to pick up and the electoral roll available for inspection.

To be eligible to stand for election, a candidate must be enrolled as a Parliamentary elector; be a New Zealand citizen; and be nominated by two electors of the Waihī Beach Community Board area.

If more than one nomination is received when nominations close at midday Friday, September 22, a postal ballot will be held for the electors of the Waihī Beach Community Board area.

If voting is required, it will run from October 27 - November 18. See council’s by-elections 2023 page at: www.westernbay.govt.nz/council/elections