Public Notice of Right to Demand a Poll on the Electoral System

The Hurunui District Council is publicly notifying the right for people to demand a poll on the Local Electoral System if they want to change the current First Past the Post (FPP) system.

Public Notice - 13 September 2023

Notice is given under section 28(1) of the Local Electoral Act 2001 that electors of the Hurunui District Council have the right to demand a poll on the electoral system to be used at the next triennial general election (October 2025) of the Hurunui District Council and its Community Board.

The choice is between First Past the Post (FPP) and the Single Transferable Vote (STV) electoral systems. Council gave consideration to the electoral system at its meeting on 28 August 2023, but made no decision to change the FPP system proposed for the 2025 elections. Unless a poll determines otherwise, the FPP electoral system will continue to be used for elections of the Hurunui District Council and its Community Board.

A valid demand for a pool must be:

• Made in writing.
• Signed by at least 5 percent (%) of eligible electors of the Hurunui District Council. This will require a minimum of 684 elector signatures.
• Delivered to the Hurunui District Council, 66 Carters Road, Amberley no later than 5pm on 11 December 2023 for the outcome of the poll to apply to the 2025 and 2028 triennial elections of Hurunui District Council.

The name of the elector must appear on the electoral roll of the Hurunui District Council, or be currently the subject of a direction by the Chief Registrar in relation to unpublished names.

Every elector who signs a demand must also set out in it their full name and the address for which they are qualified as an elector for the Hurunui District Council.

If a valid demand for a poll is received by 11 December 2023 a poll will be held no later than 14 March 2024, and the outcome will have effect for the 2025 and 2028 triennial elections. If a valid demand for a poll is received after 11 December 2023, a poll will be held after 14 March 2024 and the result will take affect for the 2028 and 2031 triennial elections.

For further information please contact Michelle Stanley, Governance Team Leader, Michelle.stanley@hurunui.govt.nz