Candidate nominations for Wellington City Council local elections open

Alongside the Mayoral race, 15 Councillors will also be elected to represent the five wards in Pōneke, and voters on the Māori roll can vote for a Councillor from the Māori ward – Te Whanganui-a-Tara.  

Tawa and Mākara/Ōhāriu residents also vote to elect six members to their local Community Boards, and nominations are open for the Greater Wellington Regional Council. 

The Council’s Deputy Electoral Officer Jennifer Parker encourages passionate Wellingtonians to consider standing for the City Council this year. 

“If you want to make a difference in your city, help shape the future of the capital, and be a voice at the table for your community, now’s your chance to step up and stand for Wellington. 

“Good Councils need good candidates, and people from all backgrounds and demographics are invited to stand – you just need to be a New Zealand citizen, on the electoral roll, and 18-years and over.” 

Anyone considering standing is encouraged to attend a candidates information presentation on Tuesday 15 July at 10am on Level 16 of the Wellington City Council offices at 113 The Terrace. 

Items to be covered will include how the council is structured, the role and responsibilities of elected representatives, the skills required, anticipated time commitments and meeting schedules, and an overview of the nomination and election processes. 

No pre-registration is required. The session will be livestreamed on Council’s YouTube channel and also available to watch later on at wellington.govt.nz/elections. 

“Whether you’re already committed to standing for the upcoming election, or not sure yet, come along, ask questions, listen, and find out everything you need to know to help make the right choice for your city.” 

More information is available for voters and candidates at wellington.govt.nz/elections, including nomination forms, key dates, FAQs, ward maps, and details about the Māori ward poll. 

The Candidate Handbook is also available online or a printed version can be collected at 113 The Terrace. It is specific to the Wellington City Council's local government election and has detailed information to help candidates during the pre-election period if they choose to stand as a candidate. 

As part of the election this year, Wellington City candidates will also have the opportunity to have a video recorded and uploaded to the website alongside their written information.  

The pre-election report will also be available on wellington.govt.nz/elections next week. 

The local elections are conducted by postal vote, and people who are enrolled can expect to receive their voting packs in the mail from 9-22 September. Voting closes at noon on Saturday 11 October. 

Preliminary and final election results will be available at wellington.govt.nz/elections once the votes are processed. 

Elections 101: 

• One Mayor, who is elected by all the city's voters. 

• One Councillor for Te Whanganui-a-Tara Māori Ward. 

• Three Councillors for Takapū/Northern General Ward. 

• Three Councillors for Wharangi/Onslow-Western General Ward. 

• Three Councillors for Pukehīnau/Lambton General Ward. 

• Three Councillors for Motukairangi/Eastern General Ward. 

• Two Councillors for Paekawakawa/Southern General Ward. 

• Tawa and Mākara/Ōhāriu residents also vote to elect six members to their local Community Boards. 

Nominations are also open for the Greater Wellington Regional Council.  

Elected members are responsible for:  

• preparing and adopting the Long-term Plan, Annual Plan and Annual Report 

• setting rates and bylaws 

• decision-making on regulatory matters 

• setting strategies, policies and plans 

• governing Council-Controlled Organisations (CCOs) 

• consulting with, and considering the views of local communities 

• monitoring and reviewing the Council’s performance. 

Wellington City Council provides hundreds of services to the people that live and visit the city – including rubbish and recycling collections, maintaining and managing playgrounds, sports and recreation facilities and pools, the city’s water, transport and roading infrastructure and so much more. 

Quick checklist for prospective candidates:  

• To be eligible to stand, prospective nominees must be New Zealand citizens, 18 years and over, and on the electoral roll. 

• Candidates don’t have to live in the area in which they want to stand. 

• A candidate cannot nominate themselves. Two people who are enrolled in the area or ward they want to stand in must nominate them. 

• A nomination deposit of $200 is payable for each position candidates wish to contest. 

Key dates for the 2025 local elections:  

• 4 July – Candidate nominations open and roll opens for public inspection. 

• 15 July – Candidate briefing 10am on Level 16, Wellington City Council offices at 113 The Terrace. 

• By 18 July – Pre-election report released. 

• 1 August – Candidate nominations close at 12 noon. 

• From 4 August – Public notice of candidates’ names available.

• 9-22 September – Voting documents delivered. 

• 9 September – Voting opens. 

• 7 October – Last day for posting vote by mail. After this date votes must be returned to the Council’s secure orange voting bins, available at 50+ locations around the city. 

• 11 October – Election day – voting closes 12 noon  

• 11 October – Progress results released.  

• 15-22 October – Final results announced.  

• Late October – Elected member inauguration and swearing-in ceremony. 

Electoral roll available for inspection:  

The preliminary electoral roll of electors is available from 4 July. It will be held on Level 16 of the City Council offices at 113 The Terrace, and is also available at all city libraries.  

This is your chance to make sure you are enrolled to vote at the election. You can also check your enrolment status at www.vote.nz/enrol. If you enrol by Friday 1 August then you will get your vote in the post. If it’s after this date, no worries! You can enrol up to Friday 10 October and still vote.  

For more information about standing, enrolling and voting, visit wellington.govt.nz/elections.