You may be voting in a different ward during this year’s local body elections.

Following a representation review last year, Queenstown-Lakes changed its ward boundaries and names, and the number of elected representatives for the new wards.

The biggest change is for voters in the Arrowtown-Kawarau ward — previously the Arrowtown ward.

That was historically confined to Arrowtown and its immediate surrounds, represented by one councillor.

Now, though, it’s called the Arrowtown-Kawarau ward and will have three voices around the council table.

Voters in that ward are residents of Shotover Country, Lake Hayes Estate, Dalefield, Gibbston, Arrowtown and Arthurs Point.

The new Queenstown-Whakatipu ward, represented by four people, encompasses residents in Kingston, Jack’s Point, Hanley’s Farm, Kelvin Peninsula, Quail Rise, Frankton, central Queenstown, Fernhill and Glenorchy.

And the Wānaka-Upper Clutha ward, to have four seats at the table, includes residents from the top of the Crown Range and all of the Upper Clutha area, including Hawea, to just beyond Makarora, also including part of the Matukituki Valley in Mt Aspiring National Park.

Voters’ next chances to hear from candidates in the Queenstown-Whakatipu and Arrowtown-Kawarau wards come next week — on Wednesday, mayoral and Queenstown-Whakatipu ward candidates will speak at a forum hosted by the Kelvin Peninsula Community Association at the Kelvin Heights golf club from 7pm, while, at the same time, Arrowtown-Kawarau ward council candidates will be hosted by the Arrowtown Village Association at the Arrowtown Athenaeum Hall.

Next Thursday, the Glenorchy Community Association will host the mayoral and Queenstown-Whakatipu ward candidates at Glenorchy Hall from 7.30pm.

And, next Sunday, the mayoral, Wānaka-Upper Clutha ward and Wānaka-Upper Clutha Community Board nominees will speak at the Albie Tavern Function Room in Albert Town, hosted by the community association, from 3pm.

Calling all voters

Queenstown’s new ‘‘cheeky’’ and ‘‘tongue-in-cheek’’ campaign encourages people to vote in this year’s local body elections.

The campaign — ‘Do you remember your first time … voting’ — aims to grab the attention of those who may not have previously thought about voting, council boss Mike Theelen says.

‘‘We hope the images make people smile and think a bit differently about council.

‘‘More importantly, we want people to think about voting and act on it.’’

Enrolled voters will start receiving their voting papers, a candidate information booklet and voting instructions today and should have
received them by next Wednesday.

Theelen: ‘‘I encourage people to read this booklet and the statements from candidates.

‘‘Learn what each nominee is standing for and consider who you want to vote for.’’

Voting papers should be posted back in the return, pre-paid, envelope included in voting packs by October 4, or can be delivered in person to Queenstown’s council offices, on Gorge Road, by noon on October 8.

Those who aren’t enrolled to vote, or don’t receive voting papers in the mail can make a special vote, in person, at the council office.

Eligible voters must be:
● 18 years or older AND
● a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident AND
● have lived in Aotearoa New Zealand for one year or more continuously at some point.

For electoral purposes, a permanent resident is a person who is in Aotearoa NZ legally and not required to leave within a specific time.

Australian, Niuean, Tokelauan, and Cook Islanders who have lived in NZ continuously for 12 months or more are also able to vote.

The Electoral Commission confirms those who hold a valid Resident Visa are also eligible to vote as long as they:
● Reside in NZ
● Are not subject to sections 15 or 16 of the Immigration Act (relating to convictions, or likely crimes, resulting in imprisonment or deportation)
● Are not obliged under the Act to leave NZ immediately or within a specified time
● Are not unlawful in NZ for the purposes of the Act
● Have at some time resided continuously in NZ for at least one year.

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