Voting forms will start to arrive from September 20. Photo / File
Voting forms will start to arrive from September 20. Photo / File
An 18-year-old is one of at least 34 candidates vying for a spot on the Rotorua Lake Council, while a fourth candidate is now in the mayoral race.
Nominations for local body elections closed at midday yesterday, and the lists were still being finalised when the Rotorua Daily Post went to print.
Fisher Wang, who is in his first year out of school this year, entered the contest because he wanted the age of local councillors to "better represent our community".
Fisher Wang. Photo / Supplied
"Most of the decisions being made are going to affect young people a lot more than the middle-aged councillors. We should have more of a say."
"It would be really good if we could broaden the range of views we have on the council, to tackle this," Wang said.
Former deputy chairman of the Tourism Industry Association and former general manager of Destination Rotorua, Oscar Nathan, was also among the dozens competing for one of the 10 available spots on the Rotorua Lakes Council at large.
Oscar Nathan. Photo / File
Karen Hunt and Charles Sturt are the only incumbent councillors who are not seeking re-election.
Meanwhile, Dennis Curtis has joined Steve Chadwick, Rob Kent and Reynold Macpherson in the mayoral race.
Curtis was born and raised in Rotorua and told the Rotorua Daily Post he and his family were part of the Rotoiti, Rotoehu and Rotomā communities.
Dennis Curtis. Photo / Supplied
He said he had a "great understanding of commercial and community wellbeing".
His career has focused on business in New Zealand and overseas, involving executive roles, as well as leadership roles in Te Arawa organisations, including his time as the general manager of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Pikiao.
Curtis said he was running for mayor "because our communities have been calling out for action for many years ... so too is our environment".
He said he wanted to "meaningfully engage with our communities and translate the words that are written in documents into action".
"It's about a more sustainable future for our children," he said.
Just three candidates have their names in the ring for the two Rotorua constituency Bay of Plenty Regional Council roles.
Katie Paul. Photo / Supplied
Former Ngāti Whakaue Assets Trust chairwoman Katie Paul is the latest in the mix, alongside Lyall Thurston and Kevin Winters.
Another 17 candidates are hoping to become one of seven Lakes District Health Board members.
Ngahi Bidois. Photo / File
That includes author and international leadership speaker Ngahi Bidois and award-winning human rights lawyer and global expert on socio-economic development, Claire Mahon.
Claire Mahon. Photo / File
In terms of the Rotorua Lakes Council's community boards, seven candidates are listed for the four Lakes Community Board roles and another six candidates for the Rural Community Board roles.
Electoral officer Warwick Lampp told the Rotorua Daily Post yesterdaymorning, "It will take some time yet to verify everything".
"When the list is final, it will say so on our website ... There is usually a last-minute rush. It's super busy."
Voting forms will start to arrive from September 20 and early results will be known on October 12.
Election candidate lists
Rotorua Lakes Council (mayor) Chadwick, Stephanie (Steve) Anne Curtis, Dennis Kent, Rob (Independent) Macpherson, Reynold (Residents and Ratepayers)
Rotorua Lakes Council (councillors) Bentley, Peter Carrington, Liz (Community Health and Wellbeing) Collins, Richard (Think Positive for a positive future) Coutts, Kevin Davis, Brendan (Your voice on council) Deverson, Alan (Independent) Donaldson, Dave Gould, Mark (Independent) Gray, Ryan (Realising Our Potential) Hedges, Bill (Independent) Hosking, Trish (Independent) Jones, Peter (Independent) Kai Fong, Sandra Kent, Rob (Independent) Kerry, Julie (Independent - All the Way with JK) Kumar, Raj (Residents and Ratepayers) Macpherson, Reynold (Residents and Ratepayers) Martin, Matthew (Matt) (Independent) Maxwell, Trevor McKenzie, Lachlan (Residents & Ratepayers Vote for Change) Mutlow, Lance (Independent) Nathan, Oscar O'Brien, Conan (Residents and Ratepayers) Rakei-Clark, John (Independent Residential Initiative) Raukawa-Tait, Merepeka Rowbotham, Linda (Bringing Communities Together) Rupapera, Harina Rinaha (Conservation and Education) Solomon, Alan Tane (Making a Difference) Sparke, Kaya (Independent) Tapsell, Tania (Independent) Trumper, Shirley Wang, Fisher (Independent) Whare, Bam Yates, Mercia
Rotorua Lakes Community Board (members) Chater, Nick Engelen, Reina Estcourt, Allan Goodwin, Sandra (Independent) Manuel, Robyn Rothwell, Jennifer (Independent) Thomass, Phill
Rural Community Board (members) Clark, Rachel Dorman, Janine Heard, Bryce Hollier, Ben Thomson, Sarah (Independent) Trumper, Shirley (Rural Rotorua First)
