Takena Stirling's practice is based in Te Awamutu.
Nominations for a Waipā District Council by-election will open at the end of the month following last week’s resignation of Māori ward councillor, Takena Stirling.
Takena resigned following his suspension, on an interim basis, by the Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal of the New Zealand Law Society. His resignation was accepted immediately by Waipā Mayor Susan O’Regan, who confirmed Takena would not be returning to council.
Susan said she was “deeply disappointed.”
“It’s not just me. All councillors are disappointed and, frankly, quite disheartened. This is not what we wanted for our council or our district or for those whom Takena represented.
“Takena has taken full responsibility for his actions and I am grateful for that.
“Now we can get on quickly and get someone else into his seat. By law, we have no choice but to hold a by-election, so let’s just get on with it.”
Stirling was the district’s first Māori ward councillor, elected to council in October 2022.
The postal by-election will cost between $22,000 and $25,000.
As the vacated seat is for a Māori ward councillor, only voters enrolled on the Māori electoral roll will be able to vote. Nominations will close on April 27 and the delivery of postal voting papers will start on June 1.
Voting will close on Friday, June 23, with a successful candidate likely to be announced the same day.
