Voting is now open to decide who will fill Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s vacant Maketu-Te Puke Councillor, and Ōmokoroa Community Board seats.

Candidates for the Maketu-Te Puke Councillor seat are Bernard Holmes, Laura Rae, and Anthony Wihapi, while those in the running for the Ōmokoroa Community Board seat are Chris Dever, Steven Ling, and Murray Marshall.

In a statement released this week, Western Bay of Plenty Distrct Council says to view the candidate profiles, visit www.westernbay.govt.nz/council/elections

"Voting closes midday Thursday, July 18, with the successful candidates selected under the first-past-the-post electoral system," says a council spokesperson/

"Voting will be done via postal ballot, with voting papers being sent to residents from June 26."

To vote, residents in the Maketu–Te Puke ward and Ōmokoroa Community Board area will need to complete their postal ballots and either mail them back or hand deliver them at one of the following locations:

• New World Te Puke, 12 Jocelyn Street, Te Puke
• Maketu Hauora, 3 Little Waihī Road, Maketu
• Te Puke Library and Service Centre, 130 Jellicoe Street, Te Puke
• Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s main office, Barkes Corner, 1484 Cameron Road, Greerton, Tauranga
• Ōmokoroa Library and Service Centre, 28 Western Avenue, Ōmokoroa

If you live in these areas, and you are eligible to vote, you will receive your postal ballots via mail. If you haven’t received yours by July 1, please call 0800 922 822, or email info@electionservices.co.nz