Amalgamation Poll FAQs  

This page lists answers to frequently-asked questions about the poll for the proposed amalgamation of Nelson City and Tasman District.

The answers have been provided by electionz.com

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What is the Poll For? 

The poll is being held to determine whether the proposal to unite the Tasman District Council and the Nelson City Councils will proceed.

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Where Can I Get more Information About the Proposal? 

The Local Government Commission has information on their website - www.lgc.govt.nz/nelsontasman

A copy of the proposal can also be viewed at either the Nelson City Council or Tasman District Council offices.

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Can I Make Submissions on the Proposal? 

No. The submission period has ended. The only remaining option for input on the proposal is via the voting process.

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How Will the Proposal Be Decided? 

The proposal is subject to two binding polls, conducted simultaneously across the electors of the Tasman District and Nelson City Councils.

To succeed, the majority of electors in both polls (Tasman and Nelson) must vote in favour of the proposal. If the proposal is rejected in either or both polls, the amalgamation will not proceed and both councils will continue to operate as separate entities.

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When is the Voting Period for this Poll? 

The voting period starts on Friday 30 March 2012 and closes at noon on Saturday 21 April 2012.

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Will More Information be Released on the Proposal? 

Yes.  More information will be included in the voter packs summarising advantages and disadvantages of the proposal.

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Who is Entitled to Vote in this Poll? 

Any residents aged 18 and over who reside within either the Tasman District or Nelson City Council areas as well as any ratepayers that own property within either council area but who live outside those areas, providing they have officially enrolled as ratepayer electors with either the TDC or NCC.

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What is a Ratepayer Elector? 

For these polls they are either:

  • ratepayers that own property within the Tasman District Council area but who live outside that area, providing they have officially enrolled as a ratepayer elector with the TDC, or
  • ratepayers that own property within the Nelson City Council area but who live outside that area, providing they have officially enrolled as a ratepayer elector with the NCC.

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I Want to Enrol as a Ratepayer Elector, How Do I Do That? 

You will need to complete a ratepayer enrolment form, which can be mailed/emailed to you.

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How Do I Get Voting papers for This Poll? 

If you live in either the Tasman District or Nelson City areas and you are listed on the parliamentary electoral roll, voting papers will be posted to you at the address listed on the electoral roll.

Voting papers will also be posted to any ratepayer electors enrolled for these areas.

If for some reason you do not receive your original voter pack, or you are not listed on the final electoral roll for the poll but you want to vote, you will need to apply for a special voting paper when the voting period opens.

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My Address Details on the Electoral Roll are Wrong.  How Do I Change Them? 

Elector details are sourced from the Electoral Enrolment Centre in Wellington.  You can change your details by:

  • Phoning 0800 36 76 56
  • Going on-line to www.elections.org.nz
  • Completing a form available at any Postshop

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How Do I Apply for a Special Voting Paper? 

Contact Sandra Hartley (phone 03 543 8554) or Lloyd Kennedy (phone 03 543 8434); or ring the election helpline on 0508 666 556,

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I Am On the Unpublished Electoral Roll.  Will I Receive Voting Papers for the Poll? 

No.  Electors on the unpublished roll will be sent a letter by the Electoral Enrolment Centre when the voting period opens advising them that if they want to vote in the poll they will need to apply for a special vote.

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I Will Be Out of the Country During the Voting Period.  Can I Vote Early? 

No. No one is allowed to vote before voting opens on Friday 30 March 2012. Contact Sandra Hartley (phone 03 543 8554) or Lloyd Kennedy (phone 03 543 8434), or the election helpline on 0508 666 556 to discuss options for you.

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I live in Tasman but own a property in Nelson. Can I Get Voting Papers for the Other Property? 

Yes you can, providing you enrol as a ratepayer elector with the council covering the non-resident property.

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If I Own Several Properties in the Other Local Authority Area, Can I Get Voting Papers for Each One? 

No. An elector can only vote once in any election or poll. Contact Sandra Hartley (phone 03 543 8554) or Lloyd Kennedy (phone 03 543 8434) or ring the election helpline on 0508 666 556 for more information on ratepayer elector eligibility.

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What is the Difference Between Special Voting and Ordinary Voting? 

Ordinary voting papers are issued to all electors on the Final electoral roll for the poll.  Special voting papers are issued on request to eligible electors not on the Final roll.

Anyone issued a special voting paper is also issued a declaration form, stating the reason for applying for the special vote and confirming they have not already voted in the election. The declaration form must be completed and returned with the special voting paper.

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I Have Recently Shifted Out of the Area - Can I still vote in the poll? 

The election rules require electors to be enrolled at their permanent place of residence.  If you have resided at your new address (outside the TDC or  NCC boundaries) for more than a month then you cannot vote in the poll.

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Who is the Electoral Officer for This Poll? 

The Electoral Officer for both polls is Warwick Lampp.  His contact details are:

C/- electionz.com Ltd, 1/506 Wairakei Road, PO Box 3138, Christchurch Phone: 021 498 517  Email: wlampp@electionz.com

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I Need More Information. Who Can I Contact? 

Sandra Hartley (phone 03 543 8554) or Lloyd Kennedy (phone 03 543 8434), or ring the election helpline – 0508 666 556.

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