Late run of nominations in Ashburton
From local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
The race is on in the Ashburton Ward with the local voice of Mid Canterbury radio one of the latest people in the running for Ashburton District Council.
Hokonui FM breakfast host Phill Hooper is running for a seat on the council in the Ashburton ward and is joined by Carol Johns, the organiser of community events like the Santa Parade, Mid Town Mardi Gras and Waitangi on East.
The other new candidates coming forward are Rob Mackle and Keith Townshend in the Eastern ward.
With Hooper, Johns, and sitting Councillor Carolyn Cameron also expected to enter the race, there will be at least 10 candidates running for the five seats in the Ashburton ward.
Of those Cameron and Braam are the only current councillors standing again, Russell Ellis and Thelma Bell are former councillors and the other six candidates are newcomers.
The nominations of Mackle and Townshend means there will be an election in the Eastern Ward with sitting councillor Lynette Lovett and newcomer Richard Wilson, the son of retiring councillor Stuart Wilson already standing.
The mayoralty remains a two horse race between incumbent Neil Brown and local businessman Jeff Swindley.
The West ward currently has enough candidates to fill the vacancies without an election process.
There will be no need for an expensive by-election for the Methven Community Board with the nominations of Allan Lock, Robin Jenkinson, and Megan Fitzgerald providing enough to cover the five vacancies.
The Braided Rivers Community Trust had only five nominations for its six vacancies.
There are three nominations for the two seats in the Environment Canterbury Mid Canterbury Ōpākihi ward, with incumbents Ian Mackenzie and John Sunckell along with Peter Trolove.
Where they stand
Nominations Received (as at Wednesday 2pm)
Mayor: Neil Brown, Jeff Swindley.
Western Ward (2): Rodger Letham, Liz McMillan.
Eastern Ward (2): Lynette Lovett, Richard Wilson, Rob Mackle, Keith Townshend.
Ashburton ward (5): Russell Ellis, Leen Braam, Hayden Tasker, Bev Skates, Tony Todd, Thelma Bell, Brie Burgess, Carol Johns, Phill Hooper.
Intending to stand: Carolyn Cameron.
Ruled out: Stuart Wilson, Angus McKay, Dianne Rawlinson, John Falloon.
Methven Community Board (5): Kelvin Holmes, Richie Owen, Allan Lock, Robin Jenkinson, Megan Fitzgerald.
Braided River Community Trust (6): Tim Silva, Chris Robertson, Robert Harnett, Kerry Clough, Kieran Breakwell.
Nominations close: August 12
Voting opens: September 16
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Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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