Peter Ellis signalled his intention to leave the Ahuriri Community Board in December, but following discussions with Waitaki District Council chief executive Fergus Power and Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher, he applied for extended leave.
He cited personal circumstances for quitting. He will be on leave, without pay, until November 3.
Mr Power was living in Richmond, near Nelson and while he owned a property in Kurow, he was unclear when he would return.
The community board has already had two by-elections this triennium.
The first, when Mr Ellis was elected at the end of 2019, was triggered to fill a position not filled at the local body elections in October that year.
The by-election cost $3590.
A second by-election — costing $13,833 — was held in September last year, following June Slee’s resignation.
Steve Dalley was elected in her place.
Mr Ellis regretted spending only a short period on the board.
"[I] haven’t felt like I’ve been of much use to them, but it’s the way things have gone," Mr Ellis said.
As a Kurow resident for eight years, he came to appreciate the voice of community boards.
"I don’t think it’s fully understood by a lot of constituents who sort of don’t appreciate we’re there to represent them ... so that the council have a better spread over the district."
Mr Kircher said Mr Ellis’ leave was a pragmatic approach to avoid a by-election and allow "good democracy" to continue.
A by-election could cost up to $15,000, and for a position that paid $5000 a year, it was not worth it, he said.
There would be no stand-in board member as Mr Ellis was still technically "on the books".
