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:
- a New Zealand citizen
- enrolled as a parliamentary elector (anywhere in New Zealand)
- be nominated by two electors whose names appear on the electoral roll for the ward in which you are standing for.
Nominations open Friday 4 July 2025 and close at 12noon (midday) on Friday 1 August 2025
Submit an online nomination
An online application means you upload a photograph, and all copies of relevant documents online (including proof of payment). Your two nominators will also be contacted via email to confirm they are happy to endorse your nomination. Need help or have a query? Please contact Election Services on 0800 922 822 or email info@electionservices.co.nz
Download Nomination Forms
- Mayor nomination form - for candidates standing for Mayor of Kawerau District Council
- District Wide or 'At Large' Councillor (2 positions available)
- Kawerau General Ward Councillor (3 positions available)
- Kawerau Māori Ward Councillor (3 positions available)
OR Collect a Nomination Form from the Council Offices in Ranfurly Court where you can pay the deposit and submit your nomination along with the photograph and other documents, with one of Council's electoral officers. Please note: Nominations close at 12noon on Friday, 1 August 2025.
Candidate information:
- Read the Council's Pre-election Report 2025
- Election Services Information Briefing 2025
- Council Information Briefing 2025
- Candidate Information Handbook
- Election FAQs
- Bay of Plenty Regional Council Candidate Briefing
- Expenses Return Form
When is the campaign period?
Election campaigning can start at any time and continue up to and including election day. You will need to understand the different requirements around physical signage that are contained in our Elections Signs Policy.
Authorisation Statements
Election advertising, using any media, must show an authorisation statement setting out the true name and contact details of the person or persons for whom or at whose direction it is published. [Section 113, Local Electoral Act 2001]
This includes election advertising on signs, in newspapers, on flyers and posters, on a vehicle and on election websites, and on social media.
Contact details can be one or more of the following:
- a residential or business address;
- an email address;
- a post office box number;
- a phone number; or
- a link to a page on an Internet site, if the page contains one or more of the contact details specified above.
- a social media site of a candidate must also contain an authorisation statement that meets the requirements above
These requirement reflect a recent change to Local Electoral Act 2001.
Election material cannot contain:
- any untrue statement defamatory of any candidate (e.g., under the Defamation Act 1992)
- an imitation voting document with names of the candidates and any direction or indication on how a person should vote, or that is likely to influence the voter.
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: