The number of people voting in local government elections in the broader Bay of Plenty has increased on average this year compared to voter numbers in 2007.

Returns, excluding special votes, were mostly up for councils in the region, other than Tauranga City and Western Bay, which both had a drop in voter numbers.

Whakatane District Council voter numbers rose from 47.7 per cent to 55.68 per cent and Opotiki District Council from 42.8 per cent to 53.85 per cent of voters. Kawerau District Council votes rose slightly from 46.9 per cent to 48.46 per cent and Taupo District Council from 50.26 per cent to 53.09 per cent. In 2004 the voter turnout for Taupo was 51.43 per cent.

Voter numbers dropped for Tauranga City Council from 46.36 per cent to 42.39 per cent – below the 2004 voter turnout of 44.18 per cent. Western Bay District Council dropped from 37.4 per cent to 36.85 per cent. No figures were available for Rotorua District Council.

Returning Officer for the Bay of Plenty Regional Council Cindy Butt says it was healthy to see good increases in voter numbers in some areas, which showed a heightened interest in local government activities.

'However, voter numbers in all areas still represent barely half the eligible voters, and in some areas even less than that,” says Cindy.