Candidate Videos Go Live for Western BOP Local Body Elections

Western Bay of Plenty voters have a new way to size up candidates ahead of this year's local body elections, with 40 of the 55 people standing for mayor, councillor, and community board positions having recorded 90-second video introductions. The videos are available online alongside candidate statements at the council's dedicated elections website.

Each candidate was asked four questions: what is the biggest challenge facing the Western Bay; why do they think they have what it takes; what local issue they would focus on in the next 12 months; and how they would describe the Western Bay in five words or less. Council governance manager Robyn Garrett said the videos give candidates a chance to speak directly to voters in their own words, and that a lack of information about candidates is one of the main reasons people choose not to vote.

Voting packs will be delivered to letterboxes between 9 and 22 September, with voting closing at midday on Saturday 11 October. Western Bay of Plenty District Council uses the First Past the Post system. Voters will elect one mayor, nine councillors across the district — including two in the Katikati–Waihi Beach Ward — plus community board members across five boards.

A binding referendum will also be included in voting packs, asking voters whether the Māori Ward should continue for the 2028 and 2031 elections. New subdivisions have been created in Te Puke–Eastern and Ōmokoroa–Kaimai areas to give those communities their own elected representatives. Anyone not yet enrolled can still cast a special vote at any of the council's five library and service centres.

Originally published in Katikati News (Sun Media).