Voting begins in Arrowtown-Kawarau by-election
People living in Arrowtown, Arthurs Point, Crown Terrace, Dalefield, Gibbston, Lake Hayes and Shotover Country can now have their say on who represents them around the council table as voting begins in the Arrowtown-Kawarau Ward by-election.
Two candidates are standing for the vacant position on Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) created by the resignation of Councillor Neeta Shetty earlier this year. They are (in alphabetical order):
- John Glover; and
- Melissa White.
Voting papers have been mailed out today (Thursday 13 April) to all electors enrolled in the ward and voting will close at midday on Friday 5 May.
QLDC Electoral Officer Jane Robertson said it was important to find out more about the candidates before deciding who to vote for.
“We have profiles of both candidates and their contact details on our website. I would encourage everyone eligible to find out where each candidate stands on the issues that matter to them,” she said.
“The by-election is an important opportunity to bring local representation in the Arrowtown-Kawarau Ward back up to its full complement of three seats. This will enable the local community’s range of views to be heard in forthcoming Council discussions around, for example, the draft Annual Plan that’s currently out for consultation.”
The by-election will be conducted by postal voting using the First Past the Post (FPP) electoral system. Voters can also drop off their completed ballot papers at Arrowtown Library and Council’s Queenstown office on Gorge Road.
Ms Robertson encouraged anyone who is eligible but not on the electoral roll, or did not receive voting papers in the mail, to make a special vote in person at Council’s Gorge Road office between 14 April and 4 May.
“It only takes a few minutes and our staff are on hand to guide people through the steps to cast a special vote,” she said.
More information about the by-election, including a list of candidates and how to vote, can be found at qldc.govt.nz/elections
