A by-election has been called for a new Kaikohe representative on the Kaikohe-Hokianga Community Board following the resignation of Kelly van Gaalen.
Mrs van Gaalen polled the highest of any candidate in her ward, with 1211 votes to the next highest candidate's 922, in the 2013 local government elections. However, she resigned last month after being found guilty of possession of cannabis for supply. On July 30 she was sentenced to two years in jail. The by-election will be carried out by postal ballot with voting closing at noon on October 28. Kaikohe has three seats on the six-member Kaikohe-Hokianga Community Board. Its remaining members are Pauline Evans (chairwoman, North Hokianga subdivision), Garry Clarke and Louis Toorenburg (South Hokianga), and John Schollum and Win Stephens (Kaikohe). Mrs van Gaalen was also the chairwoman of the Kaikohe Community Arts Council and a part-time projects and promotions manager for the Kaikohe Business Association. - Northern Advocate |
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