Candidates Information Evening asks “Do you have what it takes?”

Published on 10 June 2025

This October, Waitaki will be choosing the next Mayor and Councillors to represent the community on the Waitaki District Council for the next three years.

It’s always great when the community gets involved, by giving feedback on Annual and Long Term Plans, consultations, or even in the comments on social media. We know there is no shortage of opinion about what Council does, and the decisions it makes.

But what if the community take it a step further, and get involved by becoming the decision-makers for the Waitaki District? That’s where becoming an elected representative comes in. It’s all about decisions really – deciding to stand, deciding to vote and, if elected, deciding what’s best for the district.

Local Elections are a great way for people to back themselves and what they believe, to prove they’ve got what it takes to represent their community. They can do that by running for Waitaki District Council, Community Boards, Otago Regional Council, Environment Canterbury, or the Oamaru Licensing Trust.

Next Tuesday 17 June, Waitaki District Council, Otago Regional Council and the Oamaru Licensing Trust are hosting a Candidates Information Evening at the Oamaru Opera House from 5:30pm.

There’ll be an introduction from Chief Executive Alex Parmley, a presentation from Elections NZ about becoming a candidate, and representatives from Otago Regional Council, Waitaki District Council and the Oamaru Licensing Trust to answer your questions about becoming an elected representative. Nominations for the upcoming elections open on July 4, so there’s plenty of time to consider if you’ve got the right stuff to represent the people of Waitaki.

ENDS