Ten candidates will contest three vacant positions on the TECT Community Trust board after nominations closed at noon on August 28.

Independent Returning Officer Warwick Lampp said in a statement that there had again been strong interest in the trustee election, with nine nominations received for the three available positions.

The number of candidates is up from nine in 2024 but down slightly from 12 in 2022.

The confirmed candidates are:

- Hori Ahomiro

- Ray Anderson

- Mark Arundel

- Kate Barry-Piceno

- Debbie Ireland

- Mark Irving

- Murray Lapworth

- Fraser Lellman

- Jon Murie

Current trustee Peter Blackwell has chosen not to seek re-election, while incumbent trustees Kate Barry-Piceno and Mark Arundel are standing again.

As more candidates than positions have been nominated, an election will be held.

Voting will be conducted online only using the First Past the Post system, with no postal voting available.

Papers containing voting instructions will be sent to eligible electors from September 25.

Candidate names will appear in a random order on the voting website.

Online voting closes at noon on October 23.

TECT, which manages one of New Zealand’s largest community trust funds, distributes millions of dollars annually to community organisations, projects and initiatives across Tauranga and the Western Bay of Plenty.

Further information about the election and the role of trustees is available on the TECT website at TECT Trustee Election 2026.