Five candidates will contest the Bay of Plenty Regional Council by-election to fill the vacant Eastern Bay general constituency seat following the passing of Councillor Malcolm Campbell.
The successful candidate will serve for the remainder of the 2025–2028 council term, with voting scheduled to begin next month.
The candidates standing in the by-election are:
- Toi Iti
- Victor Luca
- Jessica Sneha Gray
- Richard Collins
- Dayle Hunia
Bay of Plenty Regional Council Chief Executive Fiona McTavish has welcomed the interest shown by those putting themselves forward, saying councillors play a vital role in shaping the future of the region and its communities.
Voting packs will be mailed to eligible voters from Monday 24 August, with voting closing at 12pm on Friday 25 September.
Each voting pack will include information on how to cast a vote, along with candidate profiles outlining the experience and priorities of those seeking election.
To help voters become more familiar with the candidates, the council will also publish a series of short online videos featuring each candidate responding to a common set of questions. The videos will be available on the council’s website before voting begins.
The council is also encouraging community participation by offering financial support for locally organised “meet the candidates” events. Community groups will be able to apply for grants of up to $500 to assist with hosting public forums during the campaign period.
The by-election comes at a time when local government is facing significant change, including the Government’s proposals to simplify local government structures. Council leaders say maintaining full representation is important as those discussions continue alongside the council’s day-to-day responsibilities.
Residents in the Eastern Bay constituency are being encouraged to participate in the by-election to ensure their community has a strong voice around the regional council table for the remainder of the current term.
Further information about the election process, voting and candidate information will be available through the Bay of Plenty Regional Council website as the campaign progresses.
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