Monday 6th August, 2007

Have your say in local elections

Local government and District Health Board elections are taking place in October. Having your say and casting your vote are cornerstone principles of the democracy we live in, so this week we take a look at the process and some of the online information available to people casting their votes.

Bob Parker, Megan Woods and Jo Giles have thrown their hats into the 2007 mayoralty race - but will ratepayers turn out to vote? According to returning officer Max Robertson just 38 per cent of enrolled voters cast their ballot in 2004 - far below the turnout for general elections.

Mayor in the Square: Friday forums

Current Mayor Garry Moore holds a forum in Cathedral Square each Friday and says he will do so until the last Friday of his term. Anyone can talk to him about anything, one on one. It's something he's done for the past nine years and which he describes as a "pressure relief valve".

localeye Have your say directory

Speaking out about issues that are important to you can bring you into contact with a wide range of government and non-government agencies. The localeye Have Your Say directory has comprehensive listings of official information at local and national government level and� local body elections. It also has links to public forums and future and current consultations.

localeye has information for Christchurch, Waimakariri, Selwyn, Ashburton and ECan elections as well as District Health Board elections, including candidates and links to their web sites. A number of candidates have websites up and running already, and localeye will add links and information as the campaigns progress.
Dan Randow, forum manager at the Canterbury Issues forum, has also taken a look at the increasing use of web sites by mayoral hopefuls in a guest editorial. Several candidates use this forum as a venue for lively debate.

Anyone can stand and vote

Anyone over the age of 18 can stand for election provided they are a New Zealand citizen and are enrolled on the electoral roll. Nominations for candidates for 54 positions available at the Christchurch City Council close on 24 August 2007. Nominations for District Health Board elections also close on that date.

Eighteen is also the minimum age for voting and everyone over that age should be enrolled to vote.�The Electoral Enrolment Centre manages the electoral rolls, and libraries hold copies of electoral rolls. Their website has a wide range of information where you can check your enrolment information, browse study resources and believe it or not, online games. There's also a site just for teenagers. Voting papers will be sent out from 21 September 2007 and must be mailed back by Election Day, 13 October 2007. For more information on standing as a candidate for Christchurch’s local government elections visit www.ccc.govt.nz or www.lgnz.co.nz.

We recommend: local government resources

Our online resources:

localeye coverage of local elections
Our community directory CINCH has local government listings of current councillors and health board members, service centres and community boards
NZ politics timeline
Background information on the Tuam Street civic offices
Photograph of the first meeting of the Greater Christchurch council from April, 2003.

Our Internet Gateway recommends:

Local government site listings, including

District and City Plans
Canterbury District Health Board web site
Regional councils, including Environment Canterbury
Politics and Government listings
Local Government New Zealand

Browse the resources in our libraries:

Hansard – Bound, edited �and official records of parliamentary debates are available in libraries. The online Hansard can also be searched for information on current Parliamentary proceedings.
Biographies of Christchurch mayors A R Guthrey, Sir Hamish Hay and Sir Ernest Andrews
Libraries hold all kinds of information from the Christchurch City Council – ask staff at your local library for help if you’re not sure where to start.
New Zealand political satire and political cartoons
Yes, Minister classic British political comedy

Other online resources

Kids voting – A school-based programme for students to follow the local elections or next year’s general election.
Christchurch City Council resources

Have your say –� items that Council is seeking public submissions on
The Council provides a comprehensive overview of council activities and how you can participate by attending a meeting, or talking to your mayor or councillors. Quick links are listed here.
Nomination forms
Services, activities and structure of Christchurch City Council are detailed in its handbook

Parliament is now broadcast via the web so you can watch online. View sitting and broadcast times
Information about District Health Board elections.
Theyworkforyou.org.nz is a volunteer-run website which aims to keep people in touch with what their MP working on at Parliament.

Next week - Health

Coughs, colds and aches and pains are common at this time of year. Next week we have a look at health and nutrition resources, and recommend some cookbooks for some hearty winter fare.