Voting is now open in the Te Awanui Ward by-election to determine who will represent the Māori ward at the Tauranga City Council table.

Five candidates are vying for the seat, which became vacant earlier this year after the resignation of Mikaere Sydney for medical reasons.

Voting packs are in the post and include a voting paper, return envelope and candidate information.

Voting closes at midday on April 29.

Ways to vote

Orange voting bins used during last year’s Tauranga local election will again be at supermarkets and libraries across the city, as well as hauora centres.

Voters can find the nearest voting bin via the council’s by-election webpage.

Voters can also drop their voting paper, in the return envelope, into any mailbox before April 24 to ensure it’s received in time.

The five candidates vying to be Tauranga's Māori ward councillor are (from left) Suaree Borell, David Ratima, Hemi Rolleston, George Ngatai and Ange Webster.

For anyone needing to cast a special vote, a voting kiosk will also be available at He Puna Manawa – Tauranga Library from 9.30am to 5pm weekdays.

A special vote will be required for eligible voters registering on the Māori electoral roll.

Head to vote.nz to check your enrolment status or visit the kiosk at the library.

STV voting

The council uses the single transferable vote (STV) system for elections, which means voters rank their preferred candidates instead of putting a tick.

Voters can rank as many or as few candidates as they wish.

If their first pick does not get the numbers and is eliminated from the first round, then their vote goes to their second pick, and so on until one candidate has a majority of votes.