Eight Candidates Vie for Western Bay Mayoralty

Eight people have put their names forward to contest the Western Bay of Plenty mayoralty when voting opens next month. The candidates are Suaree Borell, Grant Dally, James Denyer, Danielle Faa'soo, John Holyoake, Rodney Joyce, Margaret Murray-Benge and Don Thwaites.

The field is a mix of familiar and fresh faces. Denyer is the incumbent mayor, while Dally, Joyce, Murray-Benge and Thwaites are sitting WBOP councillors. Holyoake is a former chief executive of the Western Bay council. Borell has stood in previous local body elections, and Faa'soo is new to local politics.

Nominations across the district closed at midday on Friday 1 August, with 55 people putting themselves forward for 33 positions. The district will elect a mayor and nine councillors across three general wards and the district's first Māori ward, Waka Kai Uru. Following a recent representation review, the council structure has also changed, with new community board subdivisions attracting 14 candidates. Two community board areas — Kaimai East and Eastern Te Puke — had exactly as many candidates as seats, meaning Bevan Rakoia, Keith Wisnesky, Sally Benning and Manvir Singh Mann have already been elected to their respective positions.

Residents who are not yet enrolled can still register and cast a special vote at any of the council's five library and service centres. Candidate profiles will be published on the council's Your Place Tōwāhi website from 19 August, with 90-second candidate videos to follow on the council's YouTube channel from 25 August.

Originally published in Katikati News (Sun Media).