Third nomination for Ashburton District by-election
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
A third name has entered the race in the Western Ward by-election that will cost the Ashburton District Council an estimated $26,000.
Rob Mackle submitted his nomination this week to join Hayden Tasker and Dame Lynda Top, with potentially more to come with nominations closing on Thursday.
The by-election comes after the passing of councillor Rodger Letham in December and with nominations rolling in, there will now be a full election for the vacancy.
All three candidates to be nominated so far unsuccessfully ran in the election in November.
Topp ran third behind deputy mayor Liz McMillan and Letham in the Western Ward.
Tasker, the son of former councillor Bev Tasker and former deputy mayor Roger Tasker, stood for one of the five seats in the Ashburton Ward in October and was the seventh-highest polling candidate.
Mackle, who farms just of Ashburton, stood in the Eastern Ward.
Candidates do not have to live within the ward, or the district at all, but must be nominated by two people who are enrolled to vote in Western Ward.
Once the nominations are closed at midday on Thursday, eligible voters will have from April 20 to May 12 to cast their votes.
People who did not receive voting papers last October or who had moved since then would need to ensure they were on the electoral roll if they want to vote in the by-election.
Voters will be able to return their ballot papers by post or drop them into the orange voting bins at the Methven i-Hub, Ashburton Library, or council building.
The successful candidate will then be sworn in as a new district councillor for the rest of the term.
Western Ward councillors also sit on the Methven Community Board.
Poll: Should the government levy industries that contribute to financial hardship?
As reported in the Post, there’s a $30 million funding gap in financial mentoring. This has led to services closing and mentors stepping in unpaid just to keep helping people in need 🪙💰🪙
One proposed solution? Small levies on industries that profit from financial hardship — like banks, casinos, and similar companies.
So we want to hear what you think:
Should the government ask these industries to contribute?
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59.9% Yes, supporting people is important!
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25.8% No, individuals should take responsibility
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14.4% ... It is complicated
Poll: Do you have a go-to adverse-weather checklist for your family? ☔⚠️
As reported in the Press, the same low-pressure system that lashed the North Island over the weekend is now making its way south, bringing heavy rain and strong winds with it. It’s a soggy start to the week for many of us.
With more wild weather on the cards, we’re curious: do you have a go-to adverse-weather checklist for your family? Or are you more of a “grab the torches and hope for the best” household?
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33.3% Yes - we like to be prepared
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46.7% Nah
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20% This is on my to-do list!
A Neighbourly Riddle! Don’t Overthink It… Or Do?😜
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm on the day!
If you multiply this number by any other number, the answer will always be the same. What number is this?
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