Three candidates will contest Southland District’s mayoralty in the October local government elections.The sitting Mayor Rob Scott is being challenged for the position by his predecessor, Gary Tong, and Wendy Joy Baker.
When nominations closed at midday today all the vacant positions – mayor, councillor, and community board positions – had been filled or over-subscribed. Where there are more people standing than positions available, an election must take place.
A total of 83 candidates put their names forward, for 69 vacancies. Council deputy electoral officer Robyn Rout said she was thrilled with the late influx of people wanting to stand for their communities.
“We often see candidates putting their names in the ring at the last minute. It can be quite exciting to watch. The important thing is that they do stand, and we’re very happy with the level of interest from people who are prepared to make this commitment to their community, and the wider Southland District.”
It will not become clear until after election day on 11 October whether any by-elections will be necessary in Southland District, as some candidates are standing to be either a ward councillor or a community board member.
The full list of Southland District nominations is:
Mayor (1 vacancy)
BAKER, Wendy Joy
SCOTT, Rob
TONG, Gary
Mararoa Waimea Ward (3 vacancies)
GREANEY, Sarah
O'BRIEN, Tom
WILSON, Matt
Waiau Aparima Ward (3 vacancies)
BOPARAI, Jaspreet
BYARS, Don
CHERNISHOV, Stevey
WEUSTEN, Michael
Ōreti Ward (3 vacancies)
ALLAN, Katie (affiliation pending approval)
DOBSON, Phil
MENZIES, Christine
SOMERVILLE, Brian
Waihōpai Toetoe Ward (2 vacancies)
DUFFY, Paul
KEAST, Julie
SCOTHERN, Phil
YORKE, Pamela
Stewart Island/Rakiura Ward (1 vacancy)
SPRAGGON, Jon
Wallace Takitimu Community Board (6 vacancies)
HITCHCOX, Shelley
LAWRY, Colin
MABONGA, Edwin
PHILPOTT, Tony
WILSON, Gretchen
WILSON, Lester
Ōraka Aparima Community Board (6 vacancies)
ELDER, Carole
GOULD, Emma
HOLIDAY, Troy
LINSCOTT, Neil
MCCALL, Robin
WEUSTEN, Michael
Waihōpai Toetoe Community Board (7 vacancies)
BUTTERS, Emily
FODIE, Denise Mary
HONISS, Josh
KOWALEWSKI, Michael
MCCABE, Fiona
MCINTYRE, Melanie
STEVENSON, George
STRAITH, Andrea
YORKE, Pamela
Stewart Island/Rakiura Community Board (6 vacancies)
CONNER, Aaron (Squirt)
DOUGLASS, Mike
FAULKNOR, Alistair (Tippy)
JOY, Aaron
MEADS, Daniel
SIMPSON-BOYCE, Emma
SPRAGGON, Jon
YOUNG, Andrea
Fiordland Community Board (6 vacancies)
BURGESS, Julie
HOLMES, Diane
HUNTER, Marilyn
KEITH, Diana
ROBERTSON, Nick
THOMAS, Luke
VAN RENSBURG, Monique
Tuatapere Te Waewae Community Board (6 vacancies)
CHAMBERLAIN, Derek
CHAMBERS, Lynette
DE VRIES, Blayne
EDGERTON, Wayne Andrew
HORRELL, Anne Cherrie
MARSHALL, Chantel
PARRIS, Marilyn
Ardlussa Community Board (6 vacancies)
CLARKSON, Richard
DICKSON, Ray
DILLON, Chris
HORRELL, Clarke
LINDSAY, Raewyn
MCFELIN, Grant
Parawa-Fairlight Community Subdivision (1 vacancy)
CLARK, Ian
PETERSON, John
West Dome Community Subdivision (2 vacancies)
HELLEWELL, Lance
VANDE SANDT, Megan
Mid Dome Community Subdivision (3 vacancies)
REEDY, Amanda Lee
SMITH, Carolyn
TITHER, Greg
Hokonui Community Subdivision (1 vacancy)
RUDDENKLAU, Margie
Midlands Community Subdivision (4 vacancies)
ALLISON, Sue
IRWIN, Blair
SOMERVILLE, Brian
THOMSON, Ross
TURTON, Steve
Makarewa Community Subdivision (2 vacancies)
HALDER, Alexis
WINSLOE, Jamie