One week remains of the nomination period for candidates wishing to stand in local body elections.

Nominations for the local government elections 2022, including those for Invercargill City Council, the Bluff Community Board and Invercargill Licensing Trust, opened on 15 July and will close next Friday, 12 August, at noon.  

Council Deputy Electoral Officer and Manager Governance and Legal Michael Morris said the nomination period had been steady.

“Council has so far processed 4 nominations for Mayor and 6 for Council but none yet for Bluff Community Board,” Morris said.

“We’re really hoping to see some of the passionate members of our Bluff community step forward for these crucial roles. It’s so important for Bluff to have a voice and to be heard at Council,” he said.

There is a lot of crucial information about what is needed in order to be nominated, which is covered in the Candidate Handbook as well as on the Council website.

When the nomination period ended on Friday, 12 August, at 12pm the election period would kick up another notch, he said.

“That’s when we people will start getting to know their candidates and getting ready for the voting period to begin on 16 September.”

People can also take part in the election process by visiting the Invercargill City Council’s Let’s Talk website and let candidates know about the issues that mean the most to them.

“It’s a great way to let candidates know what the community will be expecting of them and for the community to make their priorities clear.”

Invercargill City Council, Southland District Council, Gore District Council, and Environment Southland have also come together in collaboration for Vote Murihiku 2022 to encourage as many people as possible across Murihiku Southland to take part in the elections this year.

For more information, including a running list of accepted nominations, visit icc.govt.nz/elections and to let candidates know what you think the real issues are visit letstalk.icc.govt.nz