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Voting closes 8 October.

Eligible Voters Urged to Get Involved in Election 26 September 2016 A record low voter turnout is on the cards for the New Plymouth District Council elections unless the early trend changes significantly. The first five days since counting began on 19 September have resulted in just 6.69 per cent of voting papers being returned, about half the amount of votes at the same time of the 2013 election. "2013 had a low voter turnout - just 51.11 per cent of eligible voters overall - but this election is looking to set a new low unless people get their votes in," says Goup Manager Strategy Liam Hodgetts. "Where I worked previously in Australia, voting turnout for local Council elections was above 70 per cent. "Local government, way more than central government, plays such an important role in people's everyday lives, directly influencing the liveability and sustainable of communities, so it is surprising for me to see such poor turnout numbers in New Plymouth so far. "We've also got some vital work coming in the next three years, including the review of the District Plan and writing the 2018-2028 Long-Term Plan. Who do you want to represent you at the Council table and on community boards when the future of our district is being mapped out?" Mr Hodgetts reminds people that the voting papers come with a booklet of information on all the candidates. "Vote for your preferred representatives and send your voting papers in as soon as you can, to make sure you don't miss the voting deadline." Voting closes at noon on Saturday 8 October. If you are posting your votes in, have them in the mail by Tuesday 4 October to ensure they are received on time. Voting papers can also be dropped off at the Civic Centre on Liardet Street, New Plymouth and at the Waitara, Bell Block and Inglewood library and service centres. Previous elections: 2013 election: 12.63 per cent return after five days; 51.11 per cent total vote. 2010 election: 16.33 per cent; 57.70 per cent. 2007 election: 12.77 per cent; 50.85 per cent. 2004 election: 16.66 per cent; 55.13 per cent.

Tuesday Deadline for Postal Votes in Local Election 30 September 2016 There is just one week left to have your voice heard in the local elections! However if you plan to post your votes in, the deadline is even earlier. “We strongly recommend that people have their votes in the post by Tuesday next week or they risk not having their votes reach the Electoral Officer in Auckland before the deadline at noon on 8 October,” says NPDC Governance Lead Julie Straka. “Any late votes can’t be counted.” After Tuesday, people can still hand-deliver their votes to the Civic Centre on Liardet Street, New Plymouth or to a library and service centre in Waitara, Inglewood or Bell Block. “However, we’d really like people to hand-deliver their votes by Tuesday so they are included in the progress result issued mid-afternoon on Saturday 8 October. “Hand-delivered votes received after Tuesday will be included in the preliminary results, which are expected to be released on Sunday 9 October,” says Ms Straka. The final election results will be confirmed later the following week. Special votes are available for people who: Are eligible to vote but their name does not appear on the electoral roll. Have their name on the unpublished roll. Did not receive their voting papers in the post. To arrange a special vote, please phone 0800 922 822. Directors Named for PIF Guardians 29 September 2016 A broad range of financial expertise will feature on the new organisation that oversees the management of New Plymouth District’s Perpetual Investment Fund (PIF). On Tuesday (27 September) New Plymouth District Council confirmed the five Directors who will comprise New Plymouth PIF Guardians Ltd, which will begin operating in March next year. “We had a very high calibre of candidates – it wasn’t simple deciding on the five who have been selected,” says Chief Financial Officer Alan Bird. “We’re very fortunate to have people with significant national and international financial experience to guide our district’s ongoing investments, which will benefit residents for generations to come.” One PIF Guardians Director is current Taranaki Investment Management Ltd (TIML) Director Jamie Tuuta. Mr Bird says Mr Tuuta will provide valuable continuity between TIML and the new organisation. “We’re very pleased that Jamie has agreed to carry on with his role.” Between now and March the PIF Guardians members will write the Statement of Investment and Policy Objective for the fund, and select the outsourced agent for managing the PIF. The Directors of the PIF Guardians are: Mark Butcher (Chair) Mark is Chief Executive of the New Zealand Local Government Funding Agency, board member of Institute of Financial Professionals NZ (INFINZ) and director of Civic Assurance. His was previously Treasurer at Auckland Council, held senior trading and sales roles across derivative, interest rate and debt products at the National Bank of New Zealand and Westpac Institutional Bank, and also worked in the wealth management sector as Chief Investment Officer at Perpetual Capital Management and General Manager of Alliance Bernstein New Zealand. Kirsty Campbell Kirsty has broad experience in finance, regulation and law. She is currently a Non-executive Director of Simplicity NZ Limited (which launched the Simplicity Kiwisaver Scheme in August 2016) and Independent Chair of the Compliance Committee at Salt Funds Ltd. Her background includes leading or assisting on more than 20 initial public offerings on the AIM market while a corporate finance manager in London, and Head of Supervision on New Zealand’s Financial Market Authority. David Rae David is an experienced investor and director. Most recently he was Head of Investment Analysis for the New Zealand Superannuation Fund, the largest fund manager in New Zealand. He was responsible for assessing investment opportunities, economic analysis and employing responsible environmental, social and governance processes for investments. He has been a Director and observer on the Horizon Roads Group (which owns the Eastlink toll road in Melbourne); and has previously worked as an economist at the OECD, the National Bank of New Zealand and the Reserve Bank of New Zealand. Tracey Jones Tracey was Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer for Tappenden Holdings Limited, being responsible for funds under management, property, finance and operations of one of New Zealand’s largest private investment portfolios. She is currently a family office consultant, Director of Tutanekai Investments Ltd, Non-executive Director and Audit Committee Chair of Harmoney Corp Ltd (NZ’s first licensed peer-to-peer platform) and a presenter for the Private Wealth Network. She is a Chartered Accountant, member of the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants and a member of the Institute of Directors. Jamie Tuuta Jamie is a Director of TIML. His other current roles include being a Director of Taranaki Whanui Limited, Tamaki Makaurau Community Housing Limited, Wools of New Zealand, Aotearoa Fisheries Ltd, Te Ohu Kaimoana Trustee Ltd and Taranaki Iwi Claims Management Ltd. He is also the Chair of Te Ohu Kaimoana Portfolio Management Services Ltd, the Maori Trustee of Te Tumu Paeroa, a member of the Public Sector Advisory Board, a board member of Tourism New Zealand and a trustee of Venture Taranaki Trust.

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