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    Te Kōwhiringa Pōti 2025 - Local elections 2025

Local Elections 2025 - Te Kōwhiringa Pōti 2025

The local elections are being held on Saturday 11 October 2025 to elect the Mayor and eight Councillors. There will also be a poll on whether to keep or remove the Kawerau Māori Ward. 

To have your say, you must be enrolled to vote and choose your new Mayor and Council.

If you are enrolling for the first time, and are of Māori descent, you can choose to enrol on the Māori Roll or General Roll. 

People enrolled by 1 August 2025, will receive their voting papers between 9 and 22 September 2025 at home in the post. If you enrol after 1 August 2025, you will need to make a Special Vote.  


Thinking about standing for Kawerau District Council? 

Nominated Candidates - Local Body Elections 2025


Basis of Election for the 2025 Local Elections


To stand or vote in the Local Government Elections for candidates standing to represent the Kawerau District Council, you need to be enrolled.

Who can enrol?

  • People who are 18 years or older
  • New Zealand citizens or a permanent resident who has lived in New Zealand continuously for 12 months or more at some time in your life
  • People who have lived at their current address for more than one month

If you are enrolled for parlimentary elections, you are automatically enrolled for Council elections. 

It's easy to enrol or update your enrolment details (like your address) 

If you don't live in Kawerau, but you pay rates on a property here, you can enrol using the ratepayer enrolment form.

Ratepayer enrolment online portal >

Ratepayer enrolment form for Ratepayer Electors

When can you choose rolls?

The Māori Electoral Option is a choice for people of Māori descent about which electoral roll to be on.
If you are already enrolled, the date to change onto either the Māori electoral roll or general electoral roll for the Local Elections 2025 paused on 11 July 2025. For more information about the Māori Electoral Option or about enrolling to vote, contact the Electoral Commission.

If you are enrolling for the first time and are of Māori descent, you can choose to be on the Māori electoral roll or general electoral roll. 


Wātaka | Timeline

2025 Local Government Elections 

AnytimeCheck vote.nz or call 0800 36 76 56 so you are enrolled to vote or stand in elections
Wednesday 28 May, 5-7pmCandidate Information Evening, Concert Chamber, Kawerau 
Friday 4 JulyCandidate nominations open and roll opens for public inspection
Friday 10 July midnightMāori Roll changes pause (last day to change rolls)
Friday 1 August 12 noonCandidate nominations close (12 noon)
Tuesday 9 September - Friday 22 September Voting documents delivered by post to homes 
Tuesday 9 September - midday Saturday 11 October

Voting forms can be completed and posted back to Election Services; or dropped to the secure ballot boxes at the Council Office, District Library or Kawerau New World.

Tuesday 7 OctoberLast day for posting vote by mail. After this date votes must be returned to council's secure ballot boxes

Midday - 12 noon

Saturday 11 October 

Election Day - Voting closes at midday 12 noon

Votes can be dropped to secure ballot boxes located at: 

  • Council Offices
  • District Library
  • Kawerau New World 
Friday 17 OctoberDeclaration of election and poll results 
October 22 or 29 (TBC)Elected members' Inauguration Ceremony (swearing in)

Previous elections information

Sub-pages

Etū mō tou hapori - Stand up for your community

Etū mō te Kaunihera - Stand for Council 

Interested in standing as a councillor for Kawerau District Council?

To stand as a councillor, candidates must be: