Thinking about standing for Kawerau District Council?

Etū mō tou hapori

Etū mō te Kaunihera

Stand up for your community

Stand for Council 

Candidate Information Evening

Nau mai, haere mai | All welcome
Are you thinking about standing for the 2025 Local Body Elections?
Come along to the next Candidate Information Briefing, Tuesday, 24 June from 5:30pm at Rautahi Marae. This is an opportunity for you to learn more about standing for Council and what it means if you are elected.
There will be presentationsfrom Kawerau District Council Chief Executive Morgan Godfery and Election Services to help you in the lead up to the election period.
If you think you may be interested, more information is available online on votelocal.co.nz.
NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR CANDIDATES ON Friday, 4 July and close on at 12 noon on Friday, 1 August 2025.

Timeline for candidate information evening
5:15pm Arrival 
5:30pm Presentationsby Council Chief Executive Morgan Godfery and Election Services
6:30pm Informal Q&A with light refreshments

If you cannot make the candidate information evening, please view the PowerPoints below: 


Candidate safety

Being a candidate in Local Government elections means stepping into the public eye. With that comes increased scrutiny, and unfortunately, it may also raise the risk of abuse or harassment directed at you or your family.
It’s important to take proactive steps to help keep yourself and your loved ones safe during this time. If you experience serious threats or harassment, you should report them to the Police. For situations that may not warrant police involvement but are still concerning, there are some useful resources below. 
Some practical steps to consider now include:

  • Use campaign-specific social media accounts rather than your personal ones and restrict access where possible.
  • Set up a dedicated campaign email address or phone number instead of using personal or work contact details.
  • Be aware of your surroundings when attending public events — know where exits are and stay mindful of your environment.
  • Consider your responses in difficult situations. If someone becomes agitated, try to remain calm and look for an opportunity to signal for help or safely end the conversation.

Balancing your public presence with personal safety can be challenging. You want to engage with the community and share your vision while also protecting yourself and those close to you. It’s important to consider how you will manage this balance.
Remember: abuse and harassment are never acceptable. Your election campaign should be an exciting and rewarding experience. For many candidates, it is. However, being prepared and informed can help you handle any challenges that may arise.
Here is a list of other resources that offer advice on safety: