With just two working days left before nominations close, only two people have so far registered their intention to contest the Invercargill City Council by-election next year.

Nominations to fill the seat left vacant by the resignation of former Deputy Mayor Toni Biddle close on Tuesday (December 22) and the two confirmed contenders are Carl Heenan and David Pottinger. Mr Pottinger is brother of current city councillor, Ian Pottinger. 

Former ICC councillor Wayne Harpur confirmed with the Southland App today that he will be running in the by-election, however his nomination papers are yet to be submitted.

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At the public forum session of an ICC meeting In October, Mr Harpur criticised the council for being dysfunctional and called on all councillors to resign, saying the fact that that the council was under review by the DIA was shocking.

He said the councillors should “put their money where their mouth is,” and stand again in the by-election, letting the public decide if they wanted them there again.

No councillors took up his suggestion. 

The by-election will be held on February 17, 2021.