April 04, 2017
Mauao voters slow to show
With just a week to go, only 12 percent of voters have so far sent back their ballots for the by-election for Bay of Plenty Regional Council’s Mauao Maori constituency.
The by-election is to replace the late Awanuiarangi Black, who died in November.
Voting closes at 12 noon next Tuesday April 11, and electoral official Yvonne Tatton says people probaly need to get their votes in the mail by tomorrow to meet the deadline.
They can also drop their voting papers into ballot boxes at Regional Council’s main Tauranga or Mount Maunganui offices.
There are about 9500 eligible voters on the Maori roll, and people can enrol and vote up to the election.
The six candidates are Carlton Bidois, Antoine Coffin, Matire Duncan, Paora Paul Martin, Matemoana McDonald and Christopher Stokes.
The Regional Council Mauao Maori constituency extends from the top of the Kaimai Mamaku ranges to Waihi Beach and Otamarakau, including Katikati, Tauranga, Matakana, Te Puke, Maketu, Pongakawa and the surrounding areas.
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