Kawerau's local body election has shown that money doesn't necessarily buy votes.
Kawerau district councillors Aaron Rangihika and Carolyn Ion, and Mayor Malcolm Campbell Photo: Kawerau District Council
Three of Kawerau District Council's successful candidates spent nothing on their campaign, another spent only $20 while an unsuccessful candidate actually profited from her campaign.
Returning councillor Berice Julian spent $20 on her election campaign for a new mug shot.
She said as Kawerau was a small town many of those seeking re-election were already well known.
"I happen to be a checkout chick at the local supermarket so every time people come through I get thanked for doing something, or comments about some good we've done, or they're saying can you please fix this up?" Julian said.
"So, people actually know me which is why I just needed a current photo taken. I've never felt the need to do billboards or anything like that."
As she was re-elected Julian had her $200 nomination fee refunded.
Three returning elected members, Rex Savage, Warwick Godfery and Faylene Tunui, failed to return their election expenses and donation forms on time but said they had spent no money on their campaigns.
Failure to return these forms on time is an offence and can lead to a fine of up to $1000 under the Local Electoral Act.
Two candidates for the Marlborough District Council will be reported to the police for this by their electoral officer, but local electoral officer Dale Ofsoske said he would give the three Kawerau candidates a grace period until after Christmas.
Tunui and Godfery said the forms had slipped their minds and they thought they might not have needed to return the forms as they had no expenses and no donations.
Tunui said she would get hers in that day.
Savage said a side effect of his cancer treatment was forgetfulness and he would get his in as soon as possible.
He also said Kawerau was a small town and many people were already well aware of who their candidates were.
The only new councillor to be elected, Aaron Rangihika, spent $948.75 on his campaign.
The only councillor to spend more than Rangihika was Carolyn Ion who spent $1014.04.
Mayor Malcolm Campbell spent $1542.50.
Rangihika spent his money on signs while Campbell spent his on signs and print advertising and Ion spent hers on print and radio advertising.
Rangihika said as it was his first time running for council, he needed to build his public profile in the town.
"I had to grow and create interest in the town," he said.
"I was fortunate and had my mum and wife help me sort it all."
Rangihika considers it money well spent.
While some candidates may have spent money, unsuccessful candidate Whaiora Patrick appears to have turned a profit.
On her form, Patrick declared three donations to the value of $140 collectively but lodged no expenses.
Local electoral officer Ofsoske said candidates were under no legal obligation to spend donated money on their campaigns and many instead saved unspent money to use the next time around.
While Patrick did not lodge any expenses, all candidates are required to pay a $200 nomination fee to run for council. It is unknown how this nomination fee was paid or if the donated money was used to offset the cost. As Patrick was unsuccessful, she would not have been refunded this fee.
Patrick was unable to be reached for comment at the time of publication.
Declared donations and expenses
Successful candidates
- Malcolm Campbell
- Carolyn Ion
- Berice Julian
- David Sparks
- Sela Kingi
- Aaron Rangihika
- Michael Burrell
- Tracy-Ann Hill
- Irma Maria Hoani
- Whaiora Patrick
- Derek Speirs
- Rae Geary
- Sneha Gray
Donations: Nil
Expenses
Nexus signs: $747.50
Echo News: $795.00
Total: $1542.50
Donations: Nil
Expenses
Echo News: $432
Beacon Media Group: $342.84
Radio 1XX: $239.20
Total: $1014.04
Donations: Nil
Expenses
Nomination fee: $200
Kawerau Pharmacy: $20
Total: $220
Donations: Nil
Expenses
Nomination: $200
Lazer photos and cameras: $25
Total: $225
Donations: Nil
Expenses
Nomination fee: $200
Nexus signs: $391
Total: $591
Donations: Nil
Expenses:
Mobile signs and graphics: $948.75
Unsuccessful candidates
Donations
$200
$50
Total: $250
Expenses
Nexus signs: $450
Donations: Nil
Expenses
Nexus signs: $300
Brett Pacey: $50
Echo News: $125
Total: $475
Donations: Nil
Expenses
Echo News: $93.50
Diverse Graphics: $195.50
Facebook: $52.23
Total: $341.23
Donations:
$40
$50
$50
Total: $140
Expenses: Nil
Donations: Nil
Expenses:
Nexus signs: $375
Nomination fee: $200
Total: $575
Donations: Nil
Expenses:
Papercutting guillotine: $14.74
Paper: $8
Ink: $121.31
Total: $121.31
Donations: Nil
Expenses:
Facebook: $572.92
Local Democracy Reporting is a public interest news service supported by RNZ, the Newspaper Publishers' Association and NZ On Air.
