Local body elections  |  15 Jul 2022

Share this story

It’s time to throw your hat in the ring to represent your community in Christchurch’s local elections.

With the start of voting just two months away, civic-minded residents who want to represent their community can now officially put their names forward for the 54 positions available on the Christchurch City Council.

Nomination forms are available now for a Mayor, 16 Councillors and 37 members to sit on the city’s six community boards.

“The opportunity to represent your community in the city’s decision-making only comes around once every three years so I would really encourage people to give consideration to standing for election,” says Electoral Officer Jo Daly.

“Now is your chance to take a stand, represent your community and get involved.”

To stand for election, you must be a New Zealand citizen and enrolled on the Parliamentary electoral roll. You do not need to live in the area in which you wish to stand.

A recent change to legislation means that candidates no longer need to use a physical address as the contact on authorisation statements, and can now use a physical address, an email address, a PO Box, phone number or a link to an internet site that contains one of those as contact details.

“It would be great to see candidates contesting each of the 54 positions. In 2019, we had one position unfilled, and in 2016 some members were elected unopposed.

“If you are undecided whether to stand, we can provide you with information that might help you make your decision. I am available to talk through any questions people might have about the election process and about the roles and responsibilities of elected members,” Ms Daly says.

Nomination forms are available online. Completed forms can be dropped off in person to the Electoral Officer at the Civic Offices, 53 Hereford Street or emailed to elections2022@ccc.govt.nz.

“Nominations are open until noon on Friday 12 August, but getting your nomination in as early as possible means that if there's an issue with it that needs correcting, we have time to amend it before nominations close,” Ms Daly says.

Voting papers will be mailed out from Friday 16 September. Voting closes at noon on Saturday 8 October.