It is now 'crunch time” for those wanting to enrol for either of two separate Western Bay of Plenty District Council by-elections set for the same day next month.

By-elections for the council's Maketu-Te Puke ward seat and the fourth Waihi Beach Community Board seat are on February 11, with new enrolments open to polling day.

Registrar of Electors for Bay of Plenty, Lesley Christophers.

Registrar of Electors for Bay of Plenty, Lesley Christophers, says people who haven't enrolled in time to get their voting papers in the mail can still enrol and then cast a special vote.

'If you think you're enrolled but haven't received voting papers in the mail, then you need to update your enrolment details and cast a special vote.

'It's getting to crunch time – enrol or update your details now by calling 0800 36 76 56, free-texting your name and address to 3676, from any PostShop, or by requesting or downloading forms from the elections website: www.elections.org.nz,” says Lesley.

'Anyone enrolling from now on will need to apply to their local Electoral Officer to cast a special vote.”

Lesley says people who enrol between December 17, 2013, and polling day will need to contact the Electoral Officer Dale Ofsoske directly on 0800 922 822 to get information on how to apply to cast a special vote.

'Locals who are on the unpublished roll will also need to apply to cast a special vote in the by-election.”

The Western Bay council's Maketu-Te Puke ward by-election comes after newly-elected councillor Graeme Crossman resigned on October 22 (2013), due to family business pressures.

The Waihi Beach Community Board was already facing a by-election before last October's local body elections, with only three people standing for the four seats.

The three candidates were duly elected, and a by-election for the last seat was announced.

Nominations for the by-elections closed on December 16, with three people – Mike Lally, Sue Matthews and Paul Thomas – putting their name forward for the council's Maketu-Te Puke ward seat, while two residents – Bruce Duske and Derek Mills – have been nominated for the Waihi Beach Community Board seat.

Voting documents can be returned by post or hand-delivered to council's Main offices

(Barkes Corner, Greerton, Tauranga), to the Te Puke Library and Service Centre (Jellicoe

Street, Te Puke) or to the Katikati Library and Service Centre (36 Main Road, Katikati) from

January 20, 2014. The electoral officer must receive all votes by noon, Tuesday

February 11, 2014.

For more information on enrolling to vote, visit: www.elections.org.nz

By‐elections Timetable for the Maketu‐Te Puke Ward & Waihi Beach Community Board:

Monday January 20, 2014: Delivery of voting documents

Tuesday, February 11, 2014: By‐election day for both the Maketu‐Te Puke Ward and Waihi Beach Community Board.

Voting closes noon – counting commences – preliminary results available as soon as practicable.

Tuesday February 18, 2014: Public notice of declaration of results.