Horowhenua StarNominations have closed with two people vying for mayor of Horowhenua and a healthy number of nominations received for council roles, including a record number of women.
Bernie Wanden is seeking a fourth term at the council and a third term as mayor, while Justin Tamihana is seeking promotion to the top job as mayor having cut his teeth as a Māori ward councillor since 2022.
Bernie Wanden, left, and Justin Tamihana, who are vying for the mayoralty. Photos supplied
A total of 46 people put themselves forward in a late flurry for a seat at Horowhenua District Council, Horizons Regional Council, and/or Te Awahou Foxton Community Board. There were 42 candidates in the 2022 election.
Former deputy mayor Jo Mason is seeking re-election after a term away from council and is among a record 16 women candidates, while several other candidates are seeking to step from community board to ward councillor.
There will be some tightly contested seats:
• The five Levin ward positions have attracted 14 hopefuls.
• The two-seat Kere Kere Ward in Te Awahou/Foxton has five nominees.
• The one-seat Miranui Ward for the Shannon/Opiki/Tokomaru region has two nominees.
• The two-seat Waiopehu Ward has attracted six nominations with incumbents Jonathan Proctor and Rogan Boyle both not seeking re-election.
• The two-seat Māori ward has four candidates.
• Nine people are standing for five seats at the Foxton Community Board.
• The two vacant seats at Horizons Regional Council have attracted six nominations with incumbents Sam Ferguson and Emma Clarke both not seeking re-election.
One position will be elected unopposed. Te Kenehi Teira will be elected for Tonga Maori Ward for the regional council, as he is the only one standing for the ward.
The October election will also include a referendum to decide the future of Māori wards. The two-seat Horowhenua Māori Ward was established after community engagement in 2021, and council voted 11-2 to retain the ward at a meeting in September last year, after community consultation.
However, a legislation change in 2024 meant councils with Māori wards not established by a poll of voters were required to either dissolve them or hold a bunding pool to decide their future.
Having voted not to dissolve the Horowhenua Māori Ward, a referendum is now required alongside the 2025 local body election, with the result effective from 2028.
Council chief executive Monique Davidson says regardless of the outcome, the Māori Ward and Māori constituencies will remain in place for the coming term.
“Whether you are for or against Horowhenua having a Māori ward, every vote counts and I encourage you to make sure your voice is heard . . . every voter can vote on whether to keep or remove the Māori ward,” she says.
“This next council term will be one of our most significant, full of challenges and opportunities. Whether standing for council or voting, involve yourself in the election process rather than sit idly by as others shape the future for you.”
Voter participation in local body elections is traditionally dismal. Since the 1989 local government restructure, voter turnout nationwide has declined from 56 percent of the eligible population to 42 percent in 2022.
Horowhenua was middle of the road at the last election with 46.1 percent voter participation.
The official election date is October 11. The last day to enrol to vote is Friday, October 10.
Voting is not compulsory in New Zealand, however you must be enrolled to vote. You’re eligible to enrol and vote if you are 18 years or older, a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, and you’ve lived in New Zealand continuously for 12 months or more at some time in your life.
Since the 1989 local government reform the district has had five mayors; Malcolm Guy (1989-1995), Tom Robinson (1995-2004), Brendan Duffy (2004-2016), Michael Feyen (2016-2019) and present mayor Bernie Wanden, who was first elected in 2019.
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