2019 Local Government Elections CANDIDATE HANDBOOK Candidate Information for the 2019 Elections Contents Election Timetable 4 Candidate Profile Statements 17 Election Issues 5 Format of Candidate Profile Statements 17 South Waikato District Council – (SWDC) 5 Translations 17 Waikato Regional Council – (WRC) 5 Candidate Photos 17 Population Statistics 5 Format of Candidate Photos 17 Electoral Staff 6 Correctness of Profile Statements 18 South Waikato District Council – (SWDC) 6 Campaigning, Council Resources and Social Media 19 Waikato Regional Council – (WRC) 6 Council Resources 19 District Leaders’ Information 7 Election Advertising and Authorisation on Campaign Members’ Remuneration 7 Material 19 Council 7 Advertising Standards Code for Campaign Material 19 Council Services 7 Campaign Expenditure Limits 19 Requirements of Members 7 Return of Electoral Expenses 20 The Mayor 9 South Waikato District Council’s Social Media Guidelines for Candidates 22 The Deputy Mayor 9 Hoardings 23 Councillors 9 New Zealand Transport Agency Election Sign Requirements 25 Community Board Members 10 Voting and Processing of Votes 26 Mayor & Councillors’ Responsibilities 10 Order of Candidates on the Voting Papers 26 Councillor – Base role description 10 Special Voting 26 Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 11 Early Processing of Returned Voting Papers 26 Members Interests 11 Election Results 26 Inaugural Meeting 12 Ward Map 27 Pre-election Report 12 South Waikato District Ward Boundaries 27 Electoral Systems 13 Appendix 1 - Candidate Profile Statements 28 Electoral Roll 13 Local Authority Elections 2019 28 Candidate Eligibility 14 Duties, Powers and Responsibilities of Electoral Officers 28 Evidence of NZ Citizenship 14 Distribution of Candidate Profile Statement 28 Nominations 15 Appendix 2 - Return of Electoral Donations And Expenses 29 Completion of Nomination Paper 15 Appendix 3 - Electoral Expenses & Donations 30 Other Names 15 Appendix 4 - Scrutineers 33 Titles 15 Role of Scrutineers 33 Residency in Area 15 Appointment of Scrutineers 33 Standing in Other Elections in New Zealand 15 Declaration 33 Affiliation 15 Information to be Supplied by Electoral Officer 34 Submitting the Nomination Documents 15 Arrangements for Roll Scrutiny, Preliminary and Official Candidate Details 16 Counts and any Recount 34 Nomination Deposits 16 Restrictions on Scrutineers During Election and Poll Candidate Withdrawals 16 Processes 34 Candidates who have a Protection of Property Rights Court Conduct of Scrutineer 35 Order 16 Offences 35 Appendix 5 - Appointment of Scrutineer 36 Appendix 6 - Election Offences 37 Local Electoral Act 2001 37 General Provisions 40 Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this booklet is accurate and consistent with the Local Electoral Act 2001 and its amendments and regulations. South Waikato District Council takes no responsibility for any errors or omissions. It is recommended that candidates obtain a full copy of the Act, which can be purchased from any Government Bookstore or viewed on-line at www.legislation.govt.nz. 3 Candidate Information for the 2019 Elections Election Timetable 2019 Local Government Election Timetable From 1 July (Monday) 2019 nomination documents available 17 July (Wednesday) Public notice of election – South Waikato News 19 July (Friday) Nominations open, electoral roll open for inspection 16 August (Friday) Nominations close at 12 noon, electoral roll closes From 21 August (Wednesday) Further public notice of election – South Waikato News By 23 August (Friday) EO receives final electoral roll data 16 September (Monday) EO compiles and certifies final electoral roll 20 September (Friday) Enrolment Services letter sent to electors on unpublished roll Delivery of ordinary voting documents starts 20 September (Friday) Ordinary and special voting opens 20 September to 12 October Voting period 11 October (Friday) Last day for appointment of scrutineers–by 12 noon Election Day–voting closes at 12 noon 12 October 2019 (Saturday) Progress results available as soon as practicable after close of voting 12 – 17 October Official count – process special votes Final results announced 17 October to 27 October Public notice of official declaration of election result – South Waikato News (as soon as practicable) (or as soon as practicable thereafter) Return of election expense declaration forms By 18 December (Wednesday) (55 days after date of declaration of results) 4 Candidate Information for the 2019 Elections Election Issues Elections will be held in October for the following issues: Population Statistics Est Resident Population as at South Waikato District Council – (SWDC) District-wide Issue (a) Election of the Mayor of South Waikato District Council 30 June 2018 (b) Election of ten (10) Councillors as follows: Mayoralty 24,400 Putāruru Ward three (3) Councillors Est Resident Population as at Tīrau Ward one (1) Councillor SWDC Wards 30 June 2018 Tokoroa Ward six (6) Councillors Tokoroa 15,300 (c) Election of four (4) members of the Tīrau Community Board as Putāruru 6,760 follows: Tīrau 2,360 • 4 members by the electors of the Tīrau Ward Waikato Regional Council – (WRC) Est Resident Population as at Community Board Election of two (2) Councillors to represent the Waihou 30 June 2018 Constituency and one (1) Councillor to represent the Nga Tai ki Uta Constituency. Tīrau 2,360 There is a separate candidate handbook for the WRC election available from the Waikato Regional Council on free phone These elections will all be conducted by postal voting. 0800 800 401. 5 Candidate Information for the 2019 Elections Electoral Staff South Waikato District Council – (SWDC) Electoral Officer (EO) Warwick Lampp, electionz.com Ltd, PO Box 3138, CHRISTCHURCH Phone: 0800 300 141 Email: [email protected] Deputy Electoral Officer (DEO) Judith Cuttriss, South Waikato District Council, Torphin Crescent, Private Bag 7, TOKOROA Phone: 021 260 9971 Email: [email protected] Waikato Regional Council – (WRC) Electoral Officer Mali Ahipene, Waikato Regional Council (WRC), 41 Grey St, Private Bag 3038, Waikato Mail Centre, HAMILTON Phone: 07 859 0507 Email: [email protected] 6 Candidate Information for the 2019 Elections District Leaders’ Information Members’ Remuneration Council and its Standing Committees (Community and Assets The Remuneration Authority has approved Council’s requested Committee and Corporate and Regulatory Committee) and the system of remuneration. Current remuneration (salaries and Tīrau Community Board, meet regularly, and other Committees allowances) for Members of South Waikato District Council are: meet as and when required, or only once or twice annually. Special purpose working parties meet as required. Number of 2015-16 Actual Jointly, Elected Members have the responsibility for making Position People Remuneration decisions to be implemented by the staff. As a general rule, members will be concerned with matters of policy and principle. Mayor 1 $106,901 Staff are involved with the day-to-day administration of Council’s Deputy Mayor 1 $39,412 affairs. Staff will be accountable to the authorities for effective and efficient performance. Committee Chair A 1 $35,189 Council Services Committee Chair B 2 $33,826 Council undertakes a number of services for the citizens of the Councillor 6 $26,620 District. Many of the services Council does is because we are legislated to do so. Councils are governed by over 40 Acts of Community Board Chair 1 $6,560 Parliament (eg, Local Government Act) and around 15 additional Community Board Member 3 $3,280 pieces of legislation (like the Drinking Water Standards). Our groups and activities are outlined on the next page; including And reimbursement of any travel and conference costs incurred our Council’s Vision and high level Outcomes. whilst representing Council. For a detailed description of each service, together with Following the 2019 Election in October, Elected Members will objectives, performance measures and budgets, refer to the Long decide how the total pool approved for South Waikato Elected Term Plan, which is available by telephoning (07) 885 0340 or Members will be allocated. The total proposed pool approved visiting Council’s website www.southwaikato.govt.nz. is $354,912 and the minimum allowable remuneration for a Councillor will be $25,289; with the Mayor set at $120,500. Requirements of Members All members must know or learn: Council • Council’s administrative system as it applies to them. This The South Waikato District Council consists of a Mayor and 10 includes meeting procedures and services and facilities for Councillors (one from Tīrau Ward, three from Putāruru Ward and Councillors six from Tokoroa Ward). These positions are subject to election • The organisation of, and services provided by, Council every three years. The next election date is 12 October 2019. • The roles of Elected Members and officers respectively Ultimate responsibility for the District Council’s activities rests with Council. Council decides the range of services and activities • How to handle complaints and enquiries from constituents to be provided, sets the policy for these services and activities, • A working knowledge of the relevant statutory law. delegates the implementation of these to the staff and monitors Before the election in October 2019, prospective candidates may their performance. find it useful to familiarise themselves with the work undertaken While Council has, at times, considerable freedom