For immediate release 18 October 2025
Final Election Results 2025
The final local election results are in! The nine seats around the Kawerau District Council table have been chosen by the voters, of which 45.3% turned out to have their say in the local elections 2025.
This election, Kawerau District Council had the introduction of new wards with two district-wide seats, three general ward seats and three Māori wards seats to represent the community.
Following the counting and validation of special votes, Kawerau District Council wishes to congratulate the incoming Mayor and Councillors for the 2025 to 2028 council term. In addition, we wish to acknowledge all the candidates who stood up for the community in this year's election.
Congratulations to…
Mayoralty - Faylene Karen Ngareta Tunui
Mayor-Elect Tunui will serve her second term as Mayor of the Kawerau District, following two terms as Deputy Mayor and an earlier term as councillor.
District-Wide Councillors-Elect
Sela Kingi
Berice Joyce Julian
Kawerau General Ward Councillors-Elect
Justin Ross
Anthony Ross Worsley
Tracy Hill
Kawerau Māori Ward Councillors-Elect
Waikite Apiata
Gloria Te Paki Leokava-Taani
Mal Dowie
Māori Ward Poll results
The Māori Ward Poll results for Kawerau were that 1557 or 66% of those who voted in the poll, wish to keep the Māori Wards with three Māori Ward Councillors.
This means, in addition to the current term from 2025 to 2028, the three Māori Ward Councillors will be in place for the 2028 to 2031 term, and the 2031 to 2034 term.
Current legislation requires councils to revisit their representation (how the seats are arranged around the table) every six years. So this would require Kawerau District Council to complete the next representation review in 2031, prior to the 2034 elections.
Despite the best efforts to activate eligible voters to enrol and vote, along with some friendly rivalry across the motu with our neighbours Ōpōtiki and Whakatāne District Councils, and an 8.6% voter turnout on the final day and via special votes, the district didn’t reach the 50% voter turnout goal.
At the completion of the final vote tally including special votes, Kawerau achieved 45.3% voter turnout. This is higher than the 42.1% in 2022 election, but lower than the 48.9% in 2019.
Kawerau District Council wishes to thank the community and the respective organising groups for their participation and support at the various meet the candidate events.
The inauguration to formally swear in the incoming Mayor and councillors will be held at Rautahi Marae in Kawerau on Wednesday, 29 October 2025. The event will start with a powhiri, assembling at 9:00am for a 9.30am start, and the Council warmly invites friends, whānau, businesses and the community to attend this auspicious occasion.
For more information, please contact Council on 073069009.
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