There is less than a week left before nominations close for the Ahuriri Community Board.

A by-election will be held in the Ahuriri Ward at the end of January, for three board members to join Stephen Dalley and Calum Reid, who were automatically elected as the only two candidates vying for five available spots, in the September local body elections.

Nominations for the three remaining seats have been open since November 24, and close at noon next Thursday (December 22).

Waitaki District Council chief executive Alex Parmley said being on the community board was about “playing a lead role in shaping your community”.

“The Board has a number of budgets and develops a community plan, with the engagement of the community, to help shape what it does and where the money is spent. 

“It is about being the voice of your community, influencing what and how council and other agencies deliver in your area," he said.

Board members were required to attend board meetings every two months, and it was an advantage if they were involved in other community groups.

The council had been trying to garner interest through a campaign engaging well-known Ahuriri community members, such as Waitaki Braids cafe owner Kate White and clothing designer Jess Beachen, on its Facebook page.

Alex was also present at the Ahuriri Community Board meeting in Kurow on Monday (December 12), and available afterwards to answer questions and speak to interested people.

The recent push had managed to garner one more nomination and some others who were considering standing, he said.

If there were not enough nominations to hold a by-election, the board could then appoint members to join.

"There will be a process to go through, which Electionz.com will be advised of, if required."

In the past three years, the board had delivered on, and supported, more than 10 different projects, including securing funding for the upgrade of the Kurow Island ramp (which is awaiting suitable river levels to allow work to begin), the almost-complete new Duntroon toilets, and the ongoing upgrade of the Otematata water supply. 

Nomination forms can be found on the council website.