Lisa Nicolson/Waikato Times
The number of people running for candidates in October’s election is starting to rise, but some names of the contenders are still on the lists (file photo).
A main tally of those running for the Hamilton council election in October shows names starting to trickle in within a fortnight of nominations opening.
But some of the expected names of contenders are yet to be formally registered.
Nominations open on July 15 and close on August 12.
Like Friday at noon, only Donna Pokere-Phillips had put forward her name as mayor of Hamilton and also stood for the Kirikiriroa Māori district.
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Jose Gonzalez Gutierrez, Shanti Ralm, Matthew Small, Melissa Smith, and Dan Steer were candidates for the West General Ward.
So far, Mayor Paula Southgate and her deputy Geoff Taylor, who is challenging her for the top job, have been missing along with a number of others who also have billboards.
Meanwhile, the Waikato Regional Council’s Ward St headquarters reports that only six people had submitted their names for a seat on the regional council on Friday.
Among them were Warren Maher and permanent councilor Denis Tegg for the Thames-Coromandel seat, current councilor Stu Kneebone in Waipa-King Country, Noel Smith in Waikato and Meshweyla Macdonald in Hamilton.
Incumbent councilor Kataraina Hodge has reappeared for the Ngā Tai Ki Uta Māori constituency.
The Hamilton City Council is encouraging candidates running for election to get their nominations in early, saying that if there are details in the paperwork that need to be corrected, people will need time to do so and resubmit.
Chief executive Lance Vervoort has stressed to potential candidates that “you can’t overestimate the magnitude and time investment involved in leading our city and serving your community”.
Regional council director Chris McLay also urged people not to leave things to the last minute when it came to putting themselves forward.
“Our councilors have real influence on the most important issues affecting whānau, friends and communities, and we encourage people who are interested to come forward in time to meet the deadline.”