Editorial: It's time to stand and vote

Nominations open tomorrow for the Rotorua District Council, Lakes District Health Board, Rotorua Lakes Community Board and Bay of Plenty Regional Council elections.

Already the race for the positions is heating up, particularly the top spot of Rotorua mayor.

Businessman Rob Kent this week threw his hat in the ring to become the city's next mayor - going up against current Mayor Kevin Winters and former MP and councillor Steve Chadwick.

It's not just those standing who need to be on the ball during the next few months. We all have a part to play and here's hoping we do better at taking up our right to vote.

During the last elections, there was a disappointing turnout. Who knows what the results would have been if more people voted.

Those who don't cast their votes have no right to be critical of the job that's being done.

That's why Mr Kent is a classic example of someone who is putting his money where his mouth is.

Mr Kent has only been in Rotorua three years but has rightly or wrongly already formed a strong opinion about the Rotorua District Council. He was critical of its resource consent process when he was setting up his business, Barkers Park. As a result of his complaints an independent commissioner found the council had over-charged him for time spent processing his application.

He thinks if he is elected he can make a difference.

Whether he's the type of person the Rotorua community thinks should be the next mayor remains to be seen, but he should be applauded for putting his hand up.

Who else out there will do the same? It will be interesting, and exciting, to see.