The seat vacated by Margaret Stevenson Wright at the end of August required a by-election to fill it as it was more than 12 months out from the next elections in October 2022. We gather that council boss Mr Maxwell used covid powers to delay it in his expectation that the council would approve his and the mayor’s desire to see the Community Boards abolished.

However, the council has voted to not only retain them, but add one in the Raumati area.

The 17 February date will be polling day, the nominations process will open shortly.