No New Nominations Received So Far For Two Whakatāne District Council Community Boards
- Aimee Stanton
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
Murupara and Tāneatua Community Boards still have unfilled positions, after insufficient nominations in the triennial elections on 11th October 2025.
By-Elections are being held in 2026 to fill the position on the Murupara Community Board and three on the Tāneatua Community Board.
Manager Governance Services Chirese Viljoen says it's not uncommon to see a lack of interest in Community boards, particularly smaller and rural communities.
She says they've seen it before in Murupara and Tāneatua.
"It's a chance to make a meaningful difference in communities.No experience is required, although a lack of experience or confidence can stop members of the community from nominating," says Viljeon.
Whākatane Mayor Nándor Tánczos says "it is a shame that we don't have people standing for those roles, and I think partly it's because people don't always see the value or relevance of community boards."
He says there's potential for community boards to, "play a more significant role as a conduit of information."
"They're like the fine roots into the community, they really are connected with their networks, and so I think we need to look at how do we make better use of that."
Viljoen says if after the nomination period the positions remain unfilled, "council can move into an expression of interest process," through the local government.
She says if no members of the community fill these positions at the By-Election, boards can still operate provided that it meets its quorum, which is by majority, "although it wouldn't have a full membership or full vacancy."
Nomination forms are available online or from the Whākatane District Council Civic Centre, and Murupara Service Centre in Civic Square. The deadline for these nominations is 12pm on Monday 22nd December 2025.
