Auckland Council 2016 Election FAQ

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2016 local electionsFAQs

Section A:Auckland Council

Section B:Auckland District Health BoardCounties Manukau District Health BoardWaitemata District Health Board

Section C:Birkenhead Licensing TrustMt Wellington Licensing TrustPortage Licensing TrustWaitakere Licensing Trust

Wiri Licensing Trust


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FAQs - Auckland Council elections, 8 October 2016Page 3

Section A

Auckland Council elections - Frequently Asked Questions

General Information

Q1 When is the next Auckland Councilelection?

A Election day is Saturday 8 October 2016 and voting closesat midday on that day. The voting period starts on Friday16 September 2016.

Q2 Who is running the election? A The electoral officer has full responsibility for running theelection.

Q3 What is the name of the electoralofficer and deputy electoral officer?

A The electoral officer is:Dale Ofsoske, Election Services

Electoral Office: Level 2, 198 Federal Street, AucklandPhone: 09 973 5212 or 0800 922 822Email: [email protected]

The deputy electoral officer is:Warwick McNaughton, Democracy Services, AucklandCouncilLevel 25, 125 Albert Street, AucklandPhone: 890 4846Email: [email protected]

Q4 What type of electoral system is used? A The FPP (first past the post) electoral system will be used

for the Auckland Council and the five licensing trusts andthe STV (single transferable voting) electoral system willbe used for the three district health boards.

Q5 What issues (elections) can we vote for?

A Electors will be able to vote for the mayor, wardcouncillors, local board members, a district health board(one of three) and some electors will also be able to votefor a licensing trust (one of five).

Q6 What is the role of the mayor,governing body members and localboard members?

A The mayor:

promotes a vision for Auckland; provides leadership to achieve the vision; leads the development of council plans, policies and

budgets; ensures effective engagement between Auckland

Council and the people of Auckland; appoints the deputy mayor, established committees

and appoints the chairperson of each of thesecommittees.

The governing body (council) consists of electedcouncillors and the mayor. The following provides anoutline of the councillor role:

provide regional strategic leadership and direction make decisions on regional matters

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work collaboratively and build relationships engage with communities monitor performance identify and manage risk

There are 21 local boards across the region with between5 and 9 elected members on each board. Local boardsmake decisions on behalf of their local communities. Thefollowing provides an outline of the local board memberrole:

provide civic leadership locally set local direction and deliver priorities make decisions on local matters input into regional decisions, policies, plans and

strategies work collaboratively and build relationships promote strong, resilient and engaged communities Represent members of the local community monitor the organisations progress and report to

the public identify and manage risk

Candidates

Q7 I want to be a candidate in theseelections. What do I need to do?

A You must be a New Zealand citizen and your name mustbe on the Parliamentary Electoral Roll (anywhere in NewZealand).

You will need to have two electors registered in the areaof the election you are standing for to nominate you – egif you stand for the Manurewa-Papakura Ward, thenominators will need to be registered within that ward.(Note the candidate does not need to reside in the areain which he/she is standing, but will need to disclose thatfact in his/her candidate profile statement).

The nominators must also be on the ParliamentaryElectoral Roll at the address they are listed on thenomination paper (which must be in the area that theyare nominating the person for).

Nominations open on Friday 15 July 2016. If you wouldlike a nomination paper and candidate informationhandbook sent out, please contact the electoral officecloser to this date. Nomination papers will also beavailable on Council’s website(www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz ) from 15 July 2016, withthe candidate information booklet available in early 2016.

Q8 How much will it cost me to stand? A You will need to pay a nomination deposit of $200 GSTinclusive. This deposit applies to each issue (election) youstand for.

Your nomination deposit can be paid by cash, cheque,

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EPTPOS or electronic bank transfer. However, if you paythe deposit by cheque and if it is dishonoured afternominations close, your nomination will not be accepted.

If you poll greater than 25% of the lowest pollingsuccessful candidate (for FPP elections) or more than 25%of the final quota as determined by the last iteration (forSTV) you will receive your nomination deposit back.

Your nomination must be received by the close ofnominations (12 noon on Friday 12 August 2016).

Q9 What knowledge and skills do I need? A Nothing formal. Elected members come from all walks oflife and generally have a will/desire to serve thecommunity. All (or some) of the following capabilitieswill be useful in the elected member role:

quality decision-making

political acumen leadership cultural awareness strategic thinking knowledge and understanding of Auckland Council

and local government communication and engagement relationship building and collaboration

Q10 Does a criminal record affect a personstanding as a council candidate?

A No, not for the Auckland Council elections. For the districthealth board elections a criminal record may affect yourcandidacy. (Refer to Section B - the district health board

FAQ section).

Q11 How long is the term of an electedmember?

A Three years.

Q12 Do I need to be resident in the area Iam standing for?

A No, but you must be on the Parliamentary Electoral Roll(anywhere in New Zealand) and be a New Zealand citizen.You will however need to disclose whether or not youreside in the area you are standing for in your candidateprofile statement.

The two people who nominate you must be on the

Parliamentary Electoral Roll within the area you arestanding for.

Q13 How many positions can I stand for? A You can stand for mayor, a ward councillor, a local boardmember, a district health board member and, ifapplicable, a licensing trust member. However, if you areelected to more than one position (mayor, wardcouncillor or local board member) you will take up thehighest ranked position.

Currently you can stand, and be elected, to more thanone local board, but a Bill before Parliament, if passed,

will mean if elected to more than one local board, youwill need to choose one local board to represent.


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You cannot stand for more than one district health boardor more than one licensing trust.

Q14 I am a serving police officer. Can Istand for council and continueto work as a police officer?

A Yes, there are no restrictions on police officers standingfor local authority elections, apart from the normaleligibility criteria.

Q15 How much can I spend on mycampaign?

A There is a limit on what you can spend on your campaignand it relates to the population of the area you arestanding for.

The maximum amount that can be spent by a candidateon his/her campaign cannot exceed the limits set outbelow:

Local government area population Expenditure limitup to 4,999 $3,500

5,000 - 9,999 $7,00010,000 - 19,999 $14,00020,000 - 39,999 $20,00040,000 - 59,999 $30,00060,000 - 79,999 $40,00080,000 - 99,999 $50,000

100,000 - 149,999 $55,000150,000 - 249,999 $60,000

250,000 - 1,000,000 $70,0001,000,000 or more $100,000*

* plus 50 cents for each elector

For example, a candidate for the Manurewa-PapakuraWard (which has a population in the range of 100,000 – 149,999) can spend on their campaign up to $55,000inclusive of GST.

If you stand for more than one position, the amount youcan spend is the highest amount for one position. Youcannot add positions together to allow you to spendmore than the limit.

All candidates are required to lodge an electoraldonations and expenses return within 55 days after theday on which the successful candidates are declared tobe elected.

If a candidate is outside New Zealand on this day, thereturn must be filed within 76 days after the results ofthe election have been declared.

If a return is not submitted within the required timeperiod, the non-return will be advised to the NewZealand Police for enforcement.

The return needs to be received before a candidate

nomination deposit is refunded (if applicable).


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Enrolment

Q16 Where can I view the electoral rollthat will be used for this election?

A The preliminary electoral roll (a roll for each local boardarea) will be available for public inspection for a one-month period from Friday 15 July 2016 to Friday 12August 2016.

The preliminary electoral roll will be available forinspection at all Auckland Council libraries and servicecentres.

Q17 How do I enrol to vote in theseelections?

A Is this your main place of residence? Yes

Have you lived at your current address for more than onemonth? Yes

Are you on the Parliamentary Electoral Roll at an address

in the Auckland Council area? Yes

You will automatically appear on the electoral roll that isused for these elections.

orIs this your main place of residence? Yes

Are you on the Parliamentary Electoral Roll at an addressin the Auckland Council area? No or Don’t Know

You need to complete an enrolment form for this. Youcan either:

enrol online at www.elections.org.nz ring 0800 36 76 56 send your name and address to Freetext 3676 download a form at www.elections.org.nz pick a form up at your local New Zealand Post Shop

Is this your main place of residence? No

Are you on the Parliamentary Electoral Roll at an addressin another district? Yes

If you own a property in this district and it is not yourmain residence you may be able to enrol as a non-resident ratepayer elector. (Refer to ratepayer enrolmentadvice in Q22 below).

Q18 I am a student and spend my timein different places. Where should Ienrol?

A You should enrol where you spend the greater part ofyour time.

Q19 I am a New Zealand M ā ori, do Ineed to enrol on the M ā ori roll?

A Not necessarily. If you are enrolling for the first time youcan decide whether you want to go on the ParliamentaryMāori Electoral Roll or the Parliamentary GeneralElectoral Roll by signing the appropriate panel on theparliamentary elector enrolment form.

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However, if you have already made that choice you willhave to wait until the next M āori o ption period tochange, which occurs following the next census (likely in2018/19). The last M āori o ption period was 25 March to24 July 2013.

Q20 How do I know whether I amenrolled?

A The Electoral Commission will be undertaking a rollupdate campaign at the end of June 2016 for theParliamentary Electoral Roll which forms the basis of theelectoral roll used for the Auckland Council elections.

If you do not receive a letter in the post during lateJune/early July 2016 the chances are you are not enrolledor your details are incorrect. You will then need tocomplete a Parliamentary Electoral Roll enrolment form.

You can check to see if you are enrolled at:www.elections.org.nz or by phoning 0800 36 76 56.

Q21 I turn 18 on election day. Can Ivote?

A Yes, but you need to make sure you have enrolled whichyou can do provisionally from the age of 17 and itautomatically changes when you turn 18.

You will also need to apply for a special vote during thevoting period (Friday 16 September 2016 to 12 noon,Saturday 8 October 2016).

For special vote availability see Q38.

Q22 We own a business in the AucklandCouncil area and pay rates, but wedon’ t live in the Auckland Councilarea – do we get a say in the Auckland Council elections?

A Yes, subject to being eligible as a non-resident ratepayerelector and becoming enrolled.

A non-resident ratepayer enrolment form is available:

online (www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz ); from the electoral office - phone 09 973 5212 or

0800 922 822.

The non-resident ratepayer enrolment form should bereturned to the electoral office by 12 August 2016 andabsolutely no later than 7 October 2016 in order to vote.

If it is after Friday 12 August 2016, a special votingdocument will need to be requested and will be issued on16 September 2016, the start of the voting period.

Q23 I own a property in AucklandCouncil but it is not my fulltimeresidence. How do I get on theRatepayer Electoral Roll?

A Is your name on the rates notice? Yes

You may be eligible to be on the ratepayer electoral roll.Contact the electoral office on 09 973 5212 or 0800 922822 and request a ratepayer enrolment form. This shouldbe returned to the electoral office by 12 August 2016 andabsolutely no later than 7 October 2016 in order to vote.If it is after Friday 12 August 2016, a special voting

document will need to be requested and will be issued on16 September 2016, the start of the voting period.

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If it is easier you can call at a special voting venue duringthe voting period (Friday 16 September 2016 to 12 noonSaturday 8 October 2016) and complete the ratepayerenrolment form and have your special vote at the sametime.


In no case does this allow you to have two votes at anelection.

Is your name on the rates notice? No

A You may not be eligible to be on the ratepayer electoralroll. Contact the electoral office on 09 973 5212 or 0800922 822.

Voting

Q24 Is it a postal vote and will I be sentmy voting documents in the mail?

A All local authority elections will be conducted by postalvote. Voting documents will be delivered by NZ Postbetween Friday 16 September 2016 and Wednesday 21September 2016.

Q25 I got my voting document but my partner didn’t receive theirs.

A Is it before Wednesday 21 September 2016 and I believe Iam correctly registered on the electoral roll?

Yes

Please wait until the mail has been delivered onWednesday 21 September 2016. If your voting documentis not received then please call the electoral office on 09973 5212 or 0800 922 822.

Is it after Wednesday 21 September 2016 and I believe Iam correctly registered on electoral roll?

Yes

You will need to apply for a special vote. For special voteavailability see Q38.

Is it after Wednesday 21 September 2016 and I believe Iam not correctly registered on electoral roll?

No

You will need to complete a parliamentary electorenrolment form. These are available at any New ZealandPost Shop, or you can enrol online atwww.elections.org.nz or ring 0800 36 76 56 or send yourname and address to Freetext 3676.

You will also need to contact the electoral office for aspecial vote on 09 973 5212 or 0800 922 822. For specialvote availability see Q38.

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Q26 I didn’t get my voting document so Icalled and got a special vote. Now Ihave two voting documents. Whichone should I use?

A Use the original one and destroy the special vote.

Q27 I received a voting document for amember of my family (eg child, parent) and have Power of Attorney for that person. Can I vote for that person?

A No – Power of Attorney does not apply to voting for thatperson.

Q28 I received a voting document for amember of my family (eg child, parent) who does not live here.What should I do with the voting

document?

A If they are overseas, you could fastpost them to theperson or destroy them if that is not practicable.

If they are for an elderly parent who is unable to orincapable of voting please destroy them byripping/cutting them up. You cannot vote on their behalfunless instructed by them.

Q29 I received a voting document thatdoes not belong to me and I don’tknow this person or where this person has gone.

A Write GNA (Gone No Address) on the envelope and put itback in the mail.

Q30 What is that barcode that I can seethrough the return envelope or onthe front of the voting document?

A It is a legal requirement to scan the barcode to mark theelector’s names off the electoral roll - that you havereturned your vote so we can ensure that we do not

receive two votes from the same person.

Q31 How do you ensure the secrecy ofmy vote?

A Envelopes containing a voting document cannot beopened until there is a JP present. The JP is required tosign off that the processes used by the electoral officermet the legal requirements.

Note that t he voter’s name is not shown on the votingdocument.

When the envelope is opened the only thing the electoraloffice is looking for is that the vote for each election isvalid.

This means that for FPP elections we are making sure thatthe vot er’s intention is clear and the voter has not tickedor marked more than the number of candidates thanthere are vacancies.

For STV elections we make sure that no preferencenumbers are used more than once or omitted, (eg, 1, 2, 3,3, 4, 5), and that there is always a number 1 markedagainst a candidate ’s name. It should be like this: 1, 2, 3,4, 5, 6, etc, in numerical order up to as many preferencesas the voter wishes to vote for.

Q32 Do I have to vote? I don’t know any A No you don’t have to vote , but we do encourage you to


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of these candidates. vote and exercise your democratic right.

You don’t have to vote for all candidates or for all theelections. But your vote is important because the peopleelected will be responsible for making decisions aboutwhat happens in your community for the next threeyears.

To help you get to know about the candidates:

there may be candidate meetings being held if youwish to go and hear what policies the differentcandidates are advocating;

there is a candidate profile booklet that comes outwith the voting documents in which there is a photoand a statement from each candidate. Thisinformation will also be available on the Council ’s website (www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz ) after

nominations close (expected 19 August 2016); candidates may have their own website page, social

media page(s), advertise in local newspapers orsend out information to letterboxes in your area;

local newspapers are likely to cover informationabout candidates and the election.

Q33 Do I have to post my votingdocument back?

A You can post it but make sure you have it in the mail byWednesday 5 October 2016 to ensure it gets back to us intime (by 12 noon Saturday 8 October 2016).

However, you can also hand deliver your votingdocument to one of our ballot boxes during the votingperiod (Friday 16 September 2016 to 12 noon Saturday 8October 2016).

For ballot box availability see Q38.

Q34 I have lost my return envelope. A You can use an envelope of your own and put the returnaddress and Freepost number on it. (You will not need toput a stamp on the envelope if you write the Freepostnumber on the envelope).

Freepost number 4710The Electoral OfficeAuckland CouncilPO Box 5135Wellesley StreetAuckland 1141

Q35 I am on the UnpublishedParliamentary Roll and I want aspecial vote please.

A You will need to call the electoral office on 09 973 5212or 0800 922 822 for a special vote to be sent.

Q36 I didn’t receive my votingdocument, how do I obtain a special

A Are you on the Parliamentary Electoral Roll for theaddress you want to vote for?

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vote? Yes

You will need to apply for a special vote. Please call theelectoral office on 09 973 5212 or 0800 922 822 or visitone of the special voting venues listed in Q38.

Are you on the Parliamentary Electoral Roll for theaddress you want to vote for? No/Don’t Know

If you are not enrolled or not enrolled correctly on theParliamentary electoral roll, you will need to complete anenrolment form for this. You can pick one up at any NewZealand Post Shop, or you can enrol online atwww.elections.org.nz or ring 0800 36 76 56 or send yourname and address to Freetext 3676. This form needs tobe with the Registrar of Electors before close of businessFriday 7 October 2016.

You will also need to contact the electoral office for aspecial vote on 09 973 5212 or 0800 922 822.


Q37 I spoiled my voting documents / Ihave made a mistake on mydocuments. What can I do?

A If you can amend it so that your voting intention is clear,then do so.

If necessary, we can issue you with a special votingdocument by phoning 09 973 5212 or 0800 922 822, butthis will take time and require you to complete adeclaration.

Q38 Where can I have a special vote? A Special votes can be obtained from:

the electoral office (Election Services – Level 2, 198Federal Street, Auckland)

Great Barrier Service Centre (Hector SandersonRoad, Claris, Great Barrier Island)

Henderson Service Centre (6 Henderson ValleyRoad, Henderson)

Manukau Service Centre (31-33 Wiri Station Road,Manukau)

Orewa Service Centre (Centreway Road, Orewa) Papakura Service Centre (35 Coles Crescent,

Papakura) Pukekohe Service Centre (82 Manukau Road,

Pukekohe) Takapuna Service Centre (1 The Strand, Takapuna) Waiheke Service Centre (10 Belgium Street, Ostend,

Waiheke Island) Birkenhead Library (Nell Fisher Reserve, Hinemoa

Street, Birkenhead) Glen Eden Library (32 Glendale Road, Glen Eden) Howick Library (25 Uxbridge Road, Howick) Kumeu Library (296 Main Road, Huapai)

or by phoning 09 973 5212 or 0800 922 822.

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Q39 I am going away and will not behere when the voting documentsare posted out.

You will need to contact the electoral office for a specialvote on 09 973 5212 or 0800 922 822.

Q40 Do I have to vote for all the

candidates for any issue?If I don’t vote for all the candidatesor all the issues on my votingdocument, will all my votes beinformal?

A Under FPP you can vote for as many candidates as you

want to but not more than the number of positionsavailable on the voting document. So if you are electingfive councillors then you can vote for up to fivecandidates. Remember, for FPP you tick the candidatesyou want to elect.

With STV you can vote for all or as many candidates asyou wish but these must be in order of your preferenceand no number can be repeated. Remember for STV, yourank the candidates you want to elect from number 1onwards.

You can decide not to vote for one or more of thedifferent elections on your voting document. This doesnot invalidate votes for other elections on your votingdocument.

Q41 Why can’t I vote for a certaincandidate who is standing for adifferent ward, local board or otherissue?

A You can only vote for the elections relevant to the area inwhich you live. You cannot vote for a candidate who isstanding in another ward because you are not an electorof that other ward.

Q42 My husband’s paper and mine aredifferent. He has more/less things

to vote for. His list of candidates isdifferent to mine?

A Candidates for all elections are listed in alphabeticalorder, except for the Counties Manukau District HealthBoard election. For this election candidate names areshown on the voting document in random order – thismeans that every voting document has a different orderof candidate names for that particular issue.

Q43 I have received two votingdocuments.

You will need to call the electoral office on 09 973 5212or 0800 922 822.

Q44 Do all the staff working on theelection know who I voted for?

A No, your vote remains secret under the required rollscrutiny and vote counting procedures.

Q45 Can I help someone fill out theirvoting document?

A Under the Local Electoral Act 2001, you cannot interfereor influence any person as to how they can vote.

If authorised by a voter who is physically impaired,visually impaired or for whom English is a secondlanguage, a person can assist them to vote as directed bythe voter.

Q46 What happens to all the votingdocuments after the elections?

A They are delivered to the Auckland District Court andkept for 21 days so that the Court can access them shouldthere be any application for a recount or petition forinquiry.

After 21 days, the Court is responsible for destroyingthem.


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Q47 Do I get a vote for the DHB? A Yes, if you are a resident elector. Ratepayer electorscannot vote for DHB elections.

Please note that DHB elections are conducted under STVand so you will exercise your vote by ranking yourpreferred candidates.

Q48 What is STV and how do I vote in anSTV election?

A STV stands for single transferable voting. STV is apreferential system of voting where you can rank as fewor as many candidates as you like. It is a single votewhich can be transferred between candidates to ensurethe vote contributes to the election or at least onecandidate and is not wasted. If a popular candidate doesnot need all the votes he or she receives, a proportion istransferred to the voter’s next preference. On the otherhand, if a candidate is not popular and receives fewvotes, those votes are transferred to a voter’s nextpreference.

For more information about STV, go to www.stv.govt.nz .

To exercise a STV vote, start by writing the number 1 inthe box next to the candidate you most want to beelected. Write the number 2 next to your second most preferred candidate and so on 3, 4, 5 etc.

You can write as many preferences or as few as you likeup to however many candidates are standing for thatelection.

You must write the number 1 for your vote to becounted.

Do not write the same number more than once, eg, 1, 2,3, 3, 4, 5, and do not miss a number from yourpreferences, eg, 1, 2, 4, 5, 6

Q49 What about FPP? A This is the first past the post electoral system. Thecandidate or candidates that gets the most votes wins.

You should mark those you want to vote for with a tick inthe circle. Do not vote for more than the number of

candidates shown in the instructions.

Election Results

Q50 When will we know the results ofthe election?

A Progress results will be announced as soon as possibleafter 12 noon on Saturday 8 October 2016 (around 2pm).

Preliminary results will be announced late on Saturdaynight once all votes received at service centres andlibraries up until 12 noon have been delivered to the

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electoral office and processed.

The official results will be announced when special voteshave been checked, expected to be Thursday 13 October2016.

Q51 How will I find out? Candidates

A Will be advised as soon as possible after the progressresults and preliminary results are known. This will be byemail.

Voters

A Progress and preliminary results will be released to themedia and placed on Council’s website(www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz ) as soon as possible afternoon on Saturday 8 October 2016.

Q52 What do I need to do if I want tochallenge the results of theelection?

A Under legislation you can challenge the declaration ofresults through either a judicial recount or judicialinquiry. You will have to provide reasons for thechallenge and a deposit of $750 with the application tothe Auckland District Court.

You may wish to call the electoral office on 09 973 5212or 0800 922 822 first to discuss this.

Members

Q53 When do elected members take uptheir roles?

A Elected members take up office the day after the officialresult has been declared by public notice. However,members cannot act until they have sworn the oath ofoffice which is usually at the first meeting of AucklandCouncil and each of its local boards. This first meetingsare usually held as soon as practicable after the finalelection results are known.

DHB board members take up office 58 days after electionday (Monday 5 December 2016).

Q54 Who are elected membersresponsible to?

Don’t think t here is anything else we canadd to this

A Ultimately the elected members’ final responsibility is tothe local community. The Minister of Local Governmentand the Auditor –General do have a role in ensuring thatCouncil follows the law.

All DHB board members are accountable to the Ministerof Health.

Q55 Do elected members get paid and ifso how much?

A This is set by the Remuneration Authority immediatelyfollowing the 2016 elections. Some expenses are alsoreimbursed.

Current remuneration per annum is as follows:

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Mayor $265,500 Councillors - $104,250 Local Boards – remuneration is linked to the

population of the local board area so varies fromplace to place

Local Board chairs remuneration rangesbetween $73,390 - $93,990 (with the exceptionof Great Barrier Island ($52,630) and Waiheke($58,560)

Local Board members remuneration rangesbetween $40,500 - $42,800 with the exceptionof Great Barrier Island ($23,000) and Waiheke($24,600)

DHB board members are paid on the basis of the CabinetFees framework.

Q56 Would being an elected membertake up much time?

A Being an elected member is a busy job that involvesmeetings, events and speaking with community membersduring and outside of normal business hours. Flexibilityand the ability to prioritise and manage time effectivelyare essential. This includes balancing a high volume ofreading, paperwork and emails with a schedule ofmeetings and public commitments.

As a consequence, the governing body positions (mayorand councillors) are considered fulltime jobs and localboard positions are generally part time jobs (20-25 hoursper week). The Chair of each local board can work at least40 hours per week.

Q57 How many elected members arethere?

Elections are being held for:

1. Auckland Co uncil’s governing body, consisting of: mayor governing body members – 20 (elected from 13

wards)2. Auckland Council’s l ocal board members – 149

(elected from 21 local boards)3. District Health Board members (Auckland or Counties

Manukau or Waitemata) – 7 per DHB4. Licensing Trust members (Birkenhead, 6 members;

Mt Wellington, 6 members; Portage, 10 members;Waitakere, 7 members; Wiri, 6 members) – for someelectors only.

Complaints

Q58 I have a complaint about electoralsignage?

Auckland Council’s election signs bylaws and approvedCouncil owned sites are located on Auckland Transport’swebsite (www.at.govt.nz/about-us/bylaws/election-signs-bylaw/).

The signs don’t have the required You will need to call the electoral office on 09 973 5212


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authorisation on them. or 0800 922 822.

The signs have been pulled over ordamaged.

You will need to call the Council’s bylaws complianceofficers:

Central: Adrian Wilson on 09 353 9066 North/West: Warwick Robertson on 09 427 3263 South: Dirk Timp on 09 262 8900

The signs are bigger than theyshould be.

You will need to call the Council’s bylaws complianceofficers:

Central: Adrian Wilson on 09 353 9066 North/West: Warwick Robertson on 09 427 3263 South: Dirk Timp on 09 262 8900

What locations can signs beerected?

Auckland Council’s election signs by -laws and approvedCouncil owned sites are located on Auckland Transport’swebsite (www.at.govt.nz/about-us/bylaws/election-signs-bylaw/).

When can they be erected andwhen must they be pulled down?

Election signs can only be displayed during the periodcommencing the Saturday that is nine weeks beforeelection day and must be removed before midnight onthe day before election day – ie from Saturday 6 August2016 until midnight Friday 7 October 2016.


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FAQs - Auckland/Counties Manukau/Waitemata District Health Board elections, 8 October 2016Page 1

Section B

Auckland/Counties Manukau/Waitemata District Health Board

elections - Frequently Asked Questions

General

Q1 What is a District Health Board? A District health boards (DHBs) are Crown entitiesresponsible for providing, or funding the provision of,publicly funded health and disability support services forthe population of a specific geographic area.

Q2 How many DHBs are there in New Zealand?

A 20.

Q3 How long have we had DHBs? A Since 1 January 2001.

Q4 What do DHBs do? A DHBs’ statutory objectives include:

improving, promoting and protecting the health ofpeople and communities

promoting the integration of health services,especially primary and secondary care services

seeking the optimum arrangement for the mosteffective and efficient delivery of health services in

order to meet local, regional and national needs promoting effective care or support for those inneed of personal health services or disabilitysupport services

promoting the inclusion and participation in societyand independence of people with disabilities

reducing health disparities by improving and aim toeliminate health outcomes for Maori and otherpopulation groups

exhibiting social responsibility fostering community participation in health

improvement, and in planning for the provision of

health services and for a significant changes to theprovision of services upholding ethical and quality standards exhibiting a sense of environmental responsibility by

having regard to the environmental implications oftheir operations

being a good employer

Q5 How many members are there on aDHB?

A Up to 11 members sit on each board - 7 of these areelected while up to 4 are appointed.

Q6 Who appoints the appointed

members?

A The Minister of Health.

In making appointments, the Minister looks at each


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board’s elected membership and any gaps in skills,expertise, experience and representation that may exist.The Minister then seeks to appoint people who can fillthese gaps.

Q7 How are the Chairperson andDeputy Chairperson decided?

A The Minister of Health appoints members to thesepositions and they may be elected or appointedmembers.

Q8 When do current elected boardmembers relinquish their positions?

A When the new elected members assume their roles. Thenew board members take up their role 58 days afterelection day (Monday 5 December 2016).

Q9 How soon after the election are people appointed by the Minister?

A Usually at the same time as elected members, or as soonafter this as possible.

Q10 How long is the term of an electedDHB Board member?

A Three years. Elections are held every three years at thesame time as the Auckland Council elections.

Q11 How long is the term of anappointed DHB Board member?

A Up to three years but they may be appointed for ashorter time. The Minister can appoint them for furtherterms but they can only serve a maximum of threeconsecutive terms (ie, nine years).

Q12 What do Board members do? A They are responsible for the governance of the DHB.They must work in a financially responsible way, and inthe best interests of the health of the whole populationof the DHB.

Governance is the strategic oversight of the DHB, toensure that the DHB’s management implements thestrategic vision developed by the board.

Board members do not manage the DHB. That is theresponsibility of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), who isappointed by the board, and staff who report to the CEO.

Q13 Who runs the DHB elections? A Each DHB is required to appoint an electoral officer (theDHBEO) to run their DHB election. The DHBEO must bethe electoral officer for one of the territorial authoritiesin the DHB district. For the Auckland, Counties Manukauand Waitemata DHBs, the electoral officer is the electoral

officer for the Auckland Council (Dale Ofsoske).

Q14 Who pays for the DHB elections? A Each DHB pays for its share of the election costs. Becausethe DHB elections are run together with the AucklandCouncil elections, many of the costs are shared betweenthe parties on an agreed basis.

Q15 When are the elections this year? A They are the same day as the Auckland Council elections.Voting documents will be posted out between 16 and 21September 2016 and they must be back with theelectoral officer by noon on 8 October 2016 when theelections close.

Q16 Can the public attend DHB A Generally yes but, as with Auckland Council meetings,


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meetings? there may be some publicly excluded matters discussedfrom time to time. The grounds for excluding the publicare the same as for withholding information under theOfficial Information Act 1982.

Q17 Does the DHB board appoint staffmembers?

A No. The board appoints the Chief Executive Officer whohas full responsibility for staff appointments.

Candidates

Q18 How much are DHB members paid? A This varies according to size and an assessed complexityof the DHB.

Board members are paid an annual fee for their serviceon the board, and fee levels vary from DHB to DHB(depending on the size and assessed complexity of the

DHB). Fees currently range from around $25,000 perannum. The board chair and deputy chair receive a higherfee.

Board members are paid an additional fee of up to $2,500per annum for each statutory advisory committee ofwhich they are a member. Members serving on certainother committees (eg, audit, risk and financecommittees) also receive an additional annual fee.

Members are covered for reasonable expensesassociated with board and committee business, such astravel costs.

Q19 Who is eligible to stand for theDHB?

A Most people qualify as candidates at an election of a DHBif they are registered as a New Zealand parliamentaryelector and are a New Zealand citizen.

It is not necessary to live within the DHB district to standas a candidate for election to that DHB.

Some people, such as those who are undischargedbankrupts and people convicted of offences punishableby imprisonment of two years or more, or have beensentenced to a prison sentence, and not yet served thesentence or otherwise suffered the relevant penalty, arenot eligible to sit on DHB boards (more details can befound in Clause 17 of Schedule 2 to the New ZealandPublic Health and Disability Act 2000).

Q20 Do you have to be resident in theDHB area to stand for that board?

A No you don’t, but the people who nominate you must be.

Q21 How many boards can I stand for? A Only one.

Q22 I work for a DHB. Can I stand? A Yes, the legislation allows staff members to stand for

their DHB board (clause 7 of Schedule 2 to the NewZealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000).


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Q23 When do nominations open? A They open on Friday 15 July 2016 and close at 12 noon on12 August 2016.


A There is a campaign expenditure limit based on howmany people live in the DHB’s district. These limitsinclude GST.

DHB Expenditure LimitAuckland DHB $70,000Counties Manukau DHB $70,000Waitemata DHB $70,000

Q25 How are candidates’ possibleconflicts of interest handled?

A Many people in the community who have an interest inhealth services are already engaged in some way inhealth services or organisations which may do businesswith DHBs.

Every person who stands as a candidate for election to aDHB is required to make a declaration as to conflicts ofinterest.

The conflict of interest statements are included in thematerial made available to electors.

All conflicts of interest declared by successful candidateswill be included in the DHB’s interests’ register (to whichall members, elected and appointed, contribute) andmembers are obligated to keep this up to date.

Members cannot be involved in any DHB decisions wherethey have a conflict of interest.

A member who has failed to declare an interest may beremoved from office.

Voting

Q26 Is there any information availableto electors about the people who

are standing?

A Candidates are entitled to complete a 150 word(maximum) profile statement about themselves. This and

the conflict of interest statement will be published in abooklet with information about all candidates and sentout with voting documents. It will also be available onthe DHB’s website.

Q27 Who is eligible to be an elector? A All parliamentary electors may vote for members of theDHB in the district in which they live.

Q28 I have more than one property indifferent board districts. Can I vote for a member in each of thoseDHBs?

A No, you can only vote for the DHB where you are residentand on the parliamentary electoral roll.

Q29 What method of voting is used? A All DHB elections use the single transferable voting (STV)electoral system. Under STV, voters mark their


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preferences with numbers instead of ticks.

Members

Q30 How much time would I need tospend on DHB work if I was elected?

A It does vary depending on the DHB but members shouldexpect a commitment of around 30 days per year, whichincludes preparation for board and committee meetings,and community liaison. The rule of thumb is for everyhour of board/committee meeting allow at least thesame amount of time for preparation.

Q31 Do I need any special skills to be aboard member?

A No, not necessarily. All boards need a mix of skills,backgrounds and experience. This includes people withgovernance and financial experience, but alsocommunity-oriented people who are passionate abouthealth and disability services in their area.

Q32 What are DHB advisorycommittees?

A There are three required under the New Zealand PublicHealth and Disability Act 2000. They are:

Community and Public Health Advisory Committee Disability Support Advisory Committee Hospital Advisory Committee

The DHB may establish others in addition to these threecommittees (eg, Audit, Risk and Finance committees).

Q33 How are the members of these

committees decided?

A The DHB appoints members to these advisory

committees. In addition to board members, othermembers may be co-opted to these committees fromoutside the board.

Q34 Are there any provisions to ensurethat the DHB board membership isrepresentative of the various ethnicgroups in New Zealand?

A The New Zealand Public Health and Disability Act 2000requires the Minister to …”endeavour to ensure that:

(a) Maori membership of the board is proportional tothe number of Maori in the DHB’s residentpopulation (as estimated by Statistics New Zealand);and

(b) In any event, there are at least 2 Maori members of

the board.”

The Crown Entities Act 2004 requires the Minister to“take into account the desirability of promoting diversityin the membership of Crown entities” when makingappointments.

People from all backgrounds are encouraged to stand andthe STV form of voting is considered to give betterrepresentation for minority groups.

Q35 What about women boardmembers?

A There are no specific provisions around gender balance inthe legislation but women are encouraged to stand – around 45% of current DHB board members are women.


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Results

Q36 When will the results be known? A As soon as possible after voting closes at 12 noon on 8October 2016. The DHBEO will collate the results andthen provide a preliminary result, expected late in the

evening on 8 October 2016. Final results will not beknown until in the week after the election when specialvotes have been counted following confirmation of avoters’ eligibility to vote (expected Thursday 13 October2016).


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FAQs - Birkenhead/Mt Welllington/Portage/Waitakere/Wiri Licensing Trust elections, 8 October 2016Page 1

Section C

Licensing Trust elections - Frequently Asked Questions

General

Q1 What is a licensing trust? A Licensing trusts exist to sell alcohol responsiblythrough premises in the trust area and decidehow surplus profits are returned to thecommunity.

Q2 How many licensing trusts arethere in New Zealand?

A 18.

Q3 How long have we had licensingtrusts?

A The first licensing trust was established in 1944(Invercargill).

Q4 What do licensing trusts do? A Under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012,the functions of a licensing trust are:

(a) to sell and supply alcohol(b) establish and operate premises for:

the sale and supply of alcohol; and the provision of accommodation for

travellers; and the sale and supply of food and

refreshments;(c) carry on any other business that, in the

Trust's opinion, can be convenientlycarried on in conjunction with thefunctions set out in paragraphs (a) and (b).

Q5 How many members are thereon a licensing trust?

A Birkenhead Licensing Trust - 6 membersMt Wellington Licensing Trust - 6 MembersPortage Licensing Trust - 10 membersWaitakere Licensing Trust - 7 membersWiri Licensing Trust - 6 members

Q6 Are any members appointed? A The Governor-General may appoint as manymembers of a licensing trust as are required if atany election no members are elected or fewermembers are elected as required. However,where an extraordinary vacancy is created, thismust be filled via an election (unless 12 monthsor less before the triennial election day).

Q7 How is the President of a Trustdecided?

A The President of a Trust is elected at the firstmeeting of a Trust after the election. ThePresident must be elected from the members ofthe Trust.

Q8 When do current elected board A Elected members take up office the day after the


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members relinquish their positions?

official result has been declared by public notice.

Q9 How long is the term of an electedlicensing trust member?

A Three years. Elections are held every three yearsat the same time as the Auckland Councilelections.

Q10 How long is the term of anappointed licensing trust member?

A Up to three years but they may be appointed fora shorter time.

Q11 What do licensing trust membersdo?

A They are responsible for the governance of thelicensing trust.

Q12 Who runs these elections? A Each licensing trust is required to appoint anelectoral officer (the LTEO) to run the licensingtrust election. The LTEO must be the electoralofficer for one of the councils in the licensing

trust district. For the Birkenhead, Mt Wellington,Portage, Waitakere and Wiri Licensing Trusts, theelectoral officer is the electoral officer for theAuckland Council (Dale Ofsoske).

Q13 Who pays for the licensing trustelections?

A Each licensing trust pays for its share of theelection costs. Because each licensing trustelection is run together with the AucklandCouncil elections, many of the costs are sharedbetween the parties on an agreed basis.

Q14 When are the elections this year? A They are the same day as the Auckland Councilelections. Voting documents will be posted outbetween 16 and 21 September 2016 and theymust be back with the electoral officer by noonon 8 October 2016 when the election closes.

Candidates

Q15 How much are licensing trustmembers paid?

A This varies according to size and complexity ofeach licensing trust and is generally based on aset meeting fee.

Q16 Who is eligible to stand for alicensing trust?

A Only residential electors within a trust district(or within a ward of a trust district if there arewards) qualify as candidates at an election of atrust if they are registered as a parliamentaryelector and are a New Zealand citizen.

A person cannot stand if he or she has (directlyor by virtue of his or her relationship withanother person) such an involvement orappearance of involvement with the alcoholindustry that he or she could not perform theduties of a member of a licensing trust without

actual bias or the appearance of bias.Q17 Do you have to be resident in the A Yes you do as well as the people who nominate


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licensing trust area (or ward ifapplicable) to stand for that Trust?

you.

Q18 How many licensing trusts can Istand for?

A Only one.

Q19 When do nominations open? A They open on Friday 15 July 2016 and close at 12noon on 12 August 2016.


A There is a campaign expenditure limit based onhow many people live in the Trust’ s district.

The maximum amount that can be spent by acandidate cannot exceed the limits set out below:

Local government areapopulation

Expenditurelimit

up to 4,999 $3,5005,000 - 9,999 $7,00010,000 - 19,999 $14,00020,000 - 39,999 $20,00040,000 - 59,999 $30,00060,000 - 79,999 $40,00080,000 - 99,999 $50,000

100,000 - 149,999 $55,000150,000 - 249,999 $60,000

250,000 - 1,000,000 $70,0001,000,000 or more $100,000*

* Plus 50c per elector

Voting

Q21 Is there any information availableto electors about the people whoare standing?

A Candidates are entitled to complete a 150 word(maximum) profile statement about themselves.This statement will be published in a bookletwith information about all candidates and sentout with voting documents. It should also beavailable on the Auckland Council website(www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz).

Q22 Who is eligible to be an elector? A All parliamentary electors resident in thelicensing trust area in which they live may votefor members of the licensing trust.

Q23 I have more than one property indifferent licensing trust areas. CanI vote for a member in each ofthose licensing trusts?

A No, you can only vote for the licensing trustwhere you are resident and on the parliamentaryelectoral roll.

Q24 What method of voting is used? A All the licensing trust elections use the first pastthe post (FPP) electoral system.

Members


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Q25 How much time would I need tospend on licensing trust work if Iwas elected?

A This varies depending on the size and complexityof the licensing trust.

Q26 Do I need any special skills to be alicensing trust member?

A No, not necessarily. All licensing trusts need amix of skills, backgrounds and experience. Thisincludes people with governance and financialexperience, but also community-oriented peoplewho are passionate about this area.

Auckland Council 2016 Election FAQ

Documents

Transcript of Auckland Council 2016 Election FAQ