Two-horse race, so far, for Western Bay by-election

Western Bay of Plenty District Council's head office on Barkes Corner in Tauranga. Photo / File

A postal ballot for some Western Bay of Plenty voters will go ahead as nominations for the district's by-election close this week.

So far, there have been just two nominations for the Western Bay of Plenty District Council elected member role. Nominations for the Katikati-Waihi Beach ward representative position close midday Thursday.

The candidates will be named after this.

A council spokesman confirmed there had been two nominations already but more were possible.

The postal ballot was needed because more than one nomination has been received.

The by-election was prompted by the resignation of former councillor Christina Humphreys, who told the Bay of Plenty Times in February she was stepping down for health reasons.

Humphreys was elected in October 2019 after receiving 1686 votes for the Katikati Waihi Beach ward. She was elected alongside fellow councillors James Denyer (2255 votes) and Anne Henry (1491 votes).

Voting opens on April 8 and closes at midday on April 30.

Nomination papers are available from:
-Western Bay of Plenty District Council's Main Office, Barkes Corner, 1484 Cameron Road, Greerton, Tauranga;
-The Centre, Pātuki Manawa, 21 Main Road Katikati;
-Waihi Beach Library & Service Centre, Waihi Beach Road, Waihi Beach;
-Or via the council's website.