Most candidates already ‘elected’ in two Taranaki districts

There are just 28 candidates vying for 25 spots on the Stratford and South Taranaki district councils, meaning the makeup of each is largely decided before voting even starts.

In South Taranaki the only spots contested are those for the mayoralty and the two new Māori wards.

In the Hāwera ward there are only four candidates for the five spots after one candidate was withdrawn yesterday following the discovery of a discrepancy in their nomination. That spot will now be the subject of a by-election next year.

Across the country candidates for councils have been in short supply with many seats at the table uncontested or, in some cases, not contested at all.

Standing South Taranaki mayor Phil Nixon faces a challenge from Walter Smith while there are two candidates in each Māori ward – Leanne Horo and Caroline Waiwiri in the Te Kūrae ward and Glen Katu and Tuteri Rangihaeta in the Te Tai Tonga ward.

Aside from that, every other candidate has already ‘‘won’’.

‘‘Our democratic system relies on people being prepared to step up and be counted, so I’d like to thank all those who have put themselves forward for their community,’’ South Taranaki District Council chief executive Waide Crockett said. ‘‘Now that the nomination process has closed, where elections are to be held it’s important that people actually vote.’’

While the South Taranaki election looks like a dead rubber, things are even more clear-cut at the Stratford District Council where the only contestable seat is in the rural ward where five candidates are vying for four positions, as of close of business on Thursday.

No-one is standing against mayor Neil Volzke, who has never been seriously challenged since elected in 2010. A spokeswoman said things could change as they were awaiting any postal nominations.

It is not known whether Taranaki’s largest council will provide candidates with a more challenging campaign.

A spokeswoman for the New Plymouth District Council said it was ‘‘too hard’’ to provide candidate numbers yesterday and it would release that information next week, along with a full list of names.

The Taranaki Regional Council would also release its candidate names next week.

Voting in this year’s local body election is by post, with voting documents being delivered to enrolled voters from September 16. Voting closes at noon on October 8.

South Taranaki District Council

Mayor: Phil Nixon, Walter Charles Smith.

Eltham-Kaponga ward (2): Mark Bellringer, Steffy MacKay.

Patea ward (2): Robert Northcott, Brian Rook.

Coastal ward (2): Aarun Langton, Bryan Roach.

Hāwera ward (5): Andy Beccard, Celine Filbee, Te Aroha Hohaia, Diana Reid.

Te Kūrae Māori ward (1): Leanne Horo, Caroline Waiwiri.

Te Tai Tonga Māori ward (1): Glen Katu, Tuteri Rangihaeta.

Stratford District Council

Mayor: Neil Volzke.

Māori ward (1): Clive Tongaawhikau.

Rural general ward (4): Grant Boyde, Amanda Harris, Vaughan Jones, Steve Beck, Nicole McDonald.

Urban general ward (6): Min McKay, Mathew Watt, Jono Erwood, John Sandford, Ellen Hall, Annette Dudley.