Standing for election draws interested group
Published on 11 June 2025
A committed and involved audience of aspiring local government politicians attended the joint Whangarei District Council and Northland Regional Council Candidates Information Evening last week.
“The kōrero was genuine and lively, and the feedback from prospective candidates was very positive,” said Council’s Deputy Electoral Officer, Nicolene Pestana.
“Around 50 guests attended the event at the Whangarei District Council Chamber in Te Iwitahi (civic centre), and more than 1,000 people viewed the live feed. Anyone who missed out can see the recording on our YouTube Channel.”
Ms. Pestana said the attendees were of diverse cultures, ages, experiences, and walks of life, from different parts of the District and country. Some had stood before, some had stood in other places, and many were first-timers.
There was interest in the oath councillors take at their induction, which includes a promise to act in the best interests of the entire District or region (depending on whether you are standing for Whangarei District Council or Northland Regional Council), not just one ward.
Some asked about the Māori wards' boundaries, discovering that the wards cover the entire District (Whangarei District Council) or region (Northland Regional Council).
Others were advised that there are limits to spending on electoral campaigns, which vary according to the electoral population in the ward or constituency in which a candidate is running.
Some also spoke passionately about specific causes.
Ms. Pestana noted that attendees, “all arrived early, sat right up the front, and stayed to the very end.”
She thanked the MC for the evening, Kawiti Waetford, who facilitated questions from the audience and answers from a panel of experts.
Thanks also went to panel members Electoral Services’ Dale Ofsoske, Whangarei District Council Chief Executive Simon Weston, kaumātua Mike Kake, Northland Regional Council Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Gibbard, and New Zealand Sign Language interpreters Megan Mansfield and Jontelle Beech-Cullen.