Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

All three BoP Maori seats being contested

Updated at 5:51 am on 21 August 2010

A late surge in nominations means the three dedicated Maori seats will be closely fought in the elections for Bay of Plenty Regional Council in October.

When nominations closed at noon on Friday, eight people were nominated for Okurei, which takes in Rotorua, two in the Tauranga-centred Mauao ward and three in Kohi, covering the eastern Bay of Plenty.

In Mauao, incumbent councillor Raewyn Bennett has been challenged by Andre Paterson; while Tiipene Marr must beat Miro Araroa and Phillip Hohapata-Oke to retain Kohi.

Tai Eru in Okurei will be hoping his seven opponents split the vote between them.

Returning officer Cindy Butt told Waatea News that (the numbers) are an endorsement of the council's decision to create the seats.

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