Anyone interested in standing in this year’s local elections will have the chance to find out more about the role of an elected member at an information evening on Monday (July 18).

Hosted by Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC), the evening’s presentation will be delivered by Warwick Lampp, from Electionz.com, the company contracted to count voting papers on behalf of the council.

The event will be held at the council chambers in Queenstown but residents from around the district can also stream it online. 

QLDC electoral officer Jane Robertson said the information evening will be a good opportunity to learn about local government elections and what life is like as an elected member.

QLDC will host an election information evening for candidates on Monday (July 18).

“Warwick is a wealth of knowledge. His presentation will cover the business of local government and detail the ‘job description’ of a mayor, councillor or community board member as well as the nuts and bolts of the election process itself,” she said.

Just two new people have put their hands up for Wānaka-based councillor and community board roles so far.

See also: ‘Only two new faces in candidate lineup - so far’.

“We know there are a number of current elected members that have chosen not to stand again in October so we really want to encourage as many people as possible to think about whether they feel they could make a difference for their local communities through standing,” QLDC chief executive Mike Theelen said. 

More information can also be found in QLDC’s newly published  candidate’s handbook which details a range of information that may be useful for people interested in standing for election, including pay rates, role descriptions, ward boundaries, and nomination details.

The handbook is available from the QLDC website, along with other resources such as the pre-election report. It is also available at the council offices.

Find more information about Monday’s information evening here.

Nominations for the local election opened yesterday (Friday July 15) and close at noon on August 12.

PHOTOS: Supplied