# 2025 New Zealand local elections

The 2025 New Zealand local elections (Māori: Nga Pōtitanga ā-Rohe 2025) will be held on 11 October 2025. Local government in New Zealand has triennial elections to elect city and district mayors and councillors, regional councillors, and members of local boards. Most city and district councils will also hold a local referendum on Māori wards. Tauranga City Council will not hold elections as they had mid-term elections during 2024.

## Election schedule

Key dates relating to the local elections are as follows:
| early April | Electoral Commission sends out enrolment update packs. |
| 10 July | Enrolment closes for switching to the Māori or general roll. |
| 15 July | Candidate nominations open. |
| 1 August | Enrolment closes for the printed electoral roll. |
| 12 August | Candidate nominations close. |
| 17 August | Candidate names released. |
| 9 September | Postal voting opens. |
| 10 October | Last day to enrol to vote. |
| 11 October | Polling day — The voting documents must be at the council before voting closes at midday/12:00pm. Preliminary results to be released as soon as readily available afterwards. |

## Background

In 2023, the newly-formed Sixth National Government and its coalition partners ACT and New Zealand First pledged to "restore the right of local referendum on the establishment or ongoing use of Māori wards and constituencies." Under the Local Government (Electoral Legislation and Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Act 2024, referenda will be held in 43 of the 45 local councils that had introduced Māori wards following the 2021 law change. Two councils, the Kaipara District Council and the Upper Hutt City Council, had voted to disestablish their Māori wards rather than holding referenda.

## Elections
### Regional councils

The regions of New Zealand are governed by regional councils as the first tier of local government.
| Council | Electoral System | Seats | Control | Control | Turnout | Details | Sources |
| Council | Electoral System | Seats | Previous | Result | Turnout | Details | Sources |
| Northland | FPP | 9 | 9 Independents | | | | |
| Waikato | FPP | 14 | 14 Independents | | | | |
| Bay of Plenty | FPP | 14 | 13 Independents 1 Te Pāti Māori | | | | |
| Hawke's Bay | FPP | 11 | 11 Independents | | | | |
| Taranaki | FPP | 11 | 11 Independents | | | | |
| Horizons (Manawatū-Whanganui) | FPP | 14 | 14 Independents | | | | |
| Greater Wellington | STV | 13 | 9 Independents 3 Green 1 Labour | | | | |
| West Coast | FPP | 7 | 7 Independents | | | | |
| Canterbury | FPP | 14 | 12 Independents 1 People's Choice – Labour 1 People's Choice | | | | |
| Otago | FPP | 12 | 10 Independents 1 Green Ōtepoti 1 Vacant | | | | |
| Southland | FPP | 12 | 12 Independents | | | | |
| All 11 councils | All 11 councils | 131 | | | | | |

### Unitary authorities

Unitary authorities are local government entities that have the powers of both a territorial authority and those of a regional council. There are currently five unitary authorities.
The Chatham Islands have a unique, separately-legislated council that has almost all the powers of a unitary authority.
| Council | Electoral System | Seats | Control | Control | Turnout | Details | Sources |
| Council | Electoral System | Seats | Previous | Result | Turnout | Details | Sources |
| Auckland | FPP | 20 | 5 Labour 4 Independents 2 Communities & Residents 2 Putting People First 1 City Vision 1 Manurewa-Papakura Action Team 5 Other | | | | |
| Gisborne | STV | 13 | 13 Independents | | | | |
| Nelson | STV | 12 | 11 Independents 1 Nelson Citizens Alliance | | | | |
| Tasman | FPP | 13 | 13 Independents | | | | |
| Marlborough | STV | 14 | 14 Independents | | | | |
| Chatham Islands | FPP | 8 | 8 Independents | | | | |
| All 6 councils | All 6 councils | 80 | | | | | |

### Territorial authorities

The various urban, suburban, and rural districts of New Zealand are governed by territorial authorities as the second tier of local government. Tauranga will not hold elections due to having already held elections in 2024.
| Council | Electoral System | Seats | Control | Control | Turnout | Details | Sources |
| Council | Electoral System | Seats | Previous | Result | Turnout | Details | Sources |
| Far North | STV | 10 | 10 Independents | | | | |
| Whangārei | FPP | 13 | 12 Independents 1 Te Pāti Māori | | | | |
| Kaipara | STV | 9 | 9 Independents | | | | |
| Hauraki | FPP | 13 | 13 Independents | | | | |
| Thames-Coromandel | FPP | 9 | 9 Independents | | | | |
| Waikato | FPP | 13 | 13 Unknown | | | | |
| Matamata-Piako | FPP | 12 | 12 Independents | | | | |
| Hamilton | STV | 13 | 12 Independents 1 Team Integrity | | | | |
| Waipā | FPP | 11 | 11 Independents | | | | |
| Ōtorohanga | FPP | 7 | 7 Independents | | | | |
| South Waikato | FPP | 10 | 10 Independents | | | | |
| Waitomo | FPP | 6 | 6 Independents | | | | |
| Taupō | FPP | 12 | 12 Independents | | | | |
| Western Bay of Plenty | FPP | 11 | 11 Independents | | | | |
| Rotorua Lakes | FPP | 10 | 9 Independents 1 RDR&R | | | | |
| Whakatāne | FPP | 9 | 9 Independents | | | | |
| Kawerau | FPP | 8 | 8 Independents | | | | |
| Ōpōtiki | FPP | 6 | 6 Independents | | | | |
| Wairoa | FPP | 6 | 6 Independents | | | | |
| Hastings | FPP | 14 | 14 Independents | | | | |
| Napier | FPP | 12 | 10 Independents 2 WTfO/T | | | | |
| Central Hawke's Bay | FPP | 8 | 8 Independents | | | | |
| New Plymouth | STV | 14 | 14 Independents | | | | |
| Stratford | FPP | 10 | 10 Independents | | | | |
| South Taranaki | FPP | 12 | 10 Independents 1 Te Pāti Māori 1 Vacant | | | | |
| Ruapehu | STV | 9 | 9 Independent | | | | |
| Whanganui | FPP | 12 | 12 Independent | | | | |
| Rangitikei | FPP | 11 | 11 Independents | | | | |
| Manawatū | FPP | 11 | 10 Independents 1 Te Pāti Māori | | | | |
| Palmerston North | STV | 15 | 12 Independents 2 Green 1 Labour | | | | |
| Tararua | FPP | 9 | 9 Independents | | | | |
| Horowhenua | FPP | 12 | 12 Independents | | | | |
| Kāpiti Coast | STV | 10 | 10 Independents | | | | |
| Porirua | STV | 10 | 10 Independents | | | | |
| Upper Hutt | FPP | 10 | 10 Independents | | | | |
| Hutt (Lower Hutt) | FPP | 12 | 9 Independents 2 United Hutt 1 Labour | | | | |
| Wellington | STV | 15 | 8 Independents 4 Labour 3 Green | | | | |
| Masterton | FPP | 8 | 8 Independents | | | | |
| Carterton | FPP | 8 | 8 Independents | | | | |
| South Wairarapa | FPP | 9 | 9 Independents | | | | |
| Buller | FPP | 10 | 10 Independents | | | | |
| Grey | FPP | 8 | 8 Independents | | | | |
| Westland | FPP | 8 | 8 Independents | | | | |
| Kaikōura | FPP | 7 | 7 Independents | | | | |
| Hurunui | FPP | 10 | 10 Independents | | | | |
| Waimakariri | FPP | 10 | 10 Independents | | | | |
| Christchurch | FPP | 16 | 8 Independents 3 The People's Choice 2 The People's Choice – Labour 2 Independent Citizens 1 Labour | | | | |
| Selwyn | FPP | 10 | 10 Independents | | | | |
| Ashburton | FPP | 9 | 9 Independents | | | | |
| Timaru | FPP | 9 | 9 Independents | | | | |
| Mackenzie | FPP | 6 | 6 Independents | | | | |
| Waimate | FPP | 8 | 8 Independents | | | | |
| Waitaki | FPP | 10 | 10 Independents | | | | |
| Central Otago | FPP | 11 | 10 Independents 1 Vacant | | | | |
| Queenstown-Lakes | FPP | 11 | 11 Independents | | | | |
| Dunedin | STV | 14 | 9 Independents 3 Team Dunedin 1 Green Ōtepoti 1 Labour | | | | |
| Clutha | FPP | 14 | 13 Independents 1 CR&RA | | | | |
| Southland | FPP | 12 | 12 Independents | | | | |
| Gore | FPP | 11 | 9 Independents 2 Team Hokonui | | | | |
| Invercargill | FPP | 12 | 8 Independents 4 LETS GO Invercargill | | | | |
| 60 councils | 60 councils | 625 | | | | | |

### Mayors

All territorial authorities (including unitary authorities) directly elect mayors.
| Territorial authority | Incumbent | Elected | Runner-up | Details |
| Far North | Moko Tepania (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Whangārei | Vince Cocurullo (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Kaipara | Craig Jepson (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Auckland | Wayne Brown (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | Details |
| Thames-Coromandel | Len Salt (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Hauraki | Toby Adams (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Waikato | Jacqui Church (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Matamata-Piako | Adrienne Wilcock (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Hamilton | Paula Southgate (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Waipā | Susan O'Regan (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Ōtorohanga | Max Baxter (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| South Waikato | Gary Petley (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Waitomo | John Robertson (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Taupō | David Trewavas (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Western Bay of Plenty | James Denyer (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Rotorua | Tania Tapsell (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Whakatāne | Victor Luca (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Kawerau | Faylene Tunui (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Ōpōtiki | David Moore (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Gisborne | Rehette Stoltz (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Wairoa | Craig Little (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Hastings | Sandra Hazlehurst (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Napier | Kirsten Wise (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Central Hawke's Bay | Alex Walker (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| New Plymouth | Neil Holdom (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Stratford | Neil Volzke (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| South Taranaki | Phil Nixon (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Ruapehu | Don Cameron (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Whanganui | Andrew Tripe (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Rangitikei | Andy Watson (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Manawatū | Helen Worboys (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Palmerston North | Grant Smith (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Tararua | Tracey Collis (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Horowhenua | Bernie Wanden (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Kāpiti Coast | Janet Holborow (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Porirua | Anita Baker (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Upper Hutt | Wayne Guppy (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Hutt (Lower Hutt) | Campbell Barry (Labour) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Wellington | Tory Whanau (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | Details |
| Masterton | Gary Caffell (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Carterton | Ron Mark (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| South Wairarapa | Martin Connelly (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Tasman | Tim King (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Nelson | Nick Smith (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Marlborough | Nadine Taylor (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Buller | Jamie Cleine (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Grey | Tania Gibson (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Westland | Helen Lash (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Kaikōura | Craig Mackle (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Hurunui | Marie Black (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Waimakariri | Dan Gordon (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Christchurch | Phil Mauger (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Selwyn | Sam Broughton (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Ashburton | Neil Brown (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Timaru | Nigel Bowen (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Mackenzie | Anne Munro (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Waimate | Craig Rowley (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Chatham Islands | Monique Croon (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Waitaki | Gary Kircher (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Central Otago | Tamah Alley (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Queenstown-Lakes | Glyn Lewers (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Dunedin | Jules Radich (Team Dunedin) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Clutha | Bryan Cadogan (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Southland | Rob Scott (Ind.) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Gore | Ben Bell (Team Hokonui) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |
| Invercargill | Nobby Clark (LETS GO Invercargill) | ? (?) | ? (?) | |

### Local boards

After the conglomeration of the various councils situated within the Auckland Region, local boards were created to deal with more local issues.
| Local board | Electoral System | Seats | Control | Control | Turnout | Details | Source |
| Local board | Electoral System | Seats | Previous | Result | Turnout | Details | Source |
| Albert-Eden | FPP | 8 | 4 C&R 4 City Vision | | | Details | |
| Aotea-Great Barrier | FPP | 5 | 5 Independents | | | Details | |
| Devonport-Takapuna | FPP | 6 | 4 A Fresh Approach 2 C&R North Shore | | | Details | |
| Franklin | FPP | 9 | 8 Team Franklin 1 Independent | | | Details | |
| Henderson-Massey | FPP | 8 | 5 Labour 3 Independents | | | Details | |
| Hibiscus and Bays | FPP | 8 | 3 Coast People 3 Backing the Bays 1 Independent Locals 1 Team Coast | | | Details | |
| Howick | FPP | 9 | 4 #weknow 2 Practical not Political 2 C&R 1 Independents | | | Details | |
| Kaipātiki | FPP | 8 | 8 Shore Action | | | Details | |
| Māngere-Ōtāhuhu | FPP | 7 | 6 Labour 1 C&R | | | Details | |
| Manurewa | FPP | 8 | 5 Manurewa Action Team 3 #LoveManurewa | | | Details | |
| Maungakiekie-Tāmaki | FPP | 7 | 4 Labour 3 C&R | | | Details | |
| Ōrākei | FPP | 7 | 7 C&R | | | Details | |
| Ōtara-Papatoetoe | FPP | 7 | 5 Labour 1 INDEPENDENTLY PAPATOETOE 1 Independents | | | Details | |
| Papakura | FPP | 6 | 6 Papakura Action Team | | | Details | |
| Puketāpapa | FPP | 6 | 4 C&R 2 Roskill Community Voice | | | Details | |
| Rodney | FPP | 9 | 5 Rodney First 3 Independents | | | Details | |
| Upper Harbour | FPP | 6 | 3 Living Upper Harbour 3 Independents | | | Details | |
| Waiheke | FPP | 6 | 6 Independents | | | Details | |
| Waitākere Ranges | FPP | 6 | 4 Future West 2 WestWards | | | Details | |
| Waitematā | FPP | 7 | 4 C&R 3 City Vision | | | Details | |
| Whau | FPP | 7 | 5 Labour 2 Independents | | | Details | |
| All 21 local boards | All 21 local boards | 150 | | | | | |

### Community boards

Elections will also be held for 110 community boards, which have been set up by 40 of the territorial authorities under Part 4 of the Local Government Act 2002 to represent the interests of particular communities within those territories.

### Licensing trusts

Elections will also be held for 14 licensing trusts, which are community-owned companies with government-authorised monopolies on the development of premises licensed for the sale of alcoholic beverages and associated accommodation in an area:
* Birkenhead Licensing Trust
* Cheviot Licensing Trust
* Clutha Licensing Trust
* Flaxmere Licensing Trust
* Geraldine Licensing Trust
* Invercargill Licensing Trust
* Mataura Licensing Trust
* Mount Wellington Licensing Trust
* Oamaru Licensing Trust
* Portage Licensing Trust
* Rimutaka Licensing Trust
* Te Kauwhata Licensing Trust
* Waitākere Licensing Trust
* Wiri Licensing Trust

### Referenda

| Council | Referendum | Option | Details |
| 42 councils | Māori wards | Yes | Details |
| 42 councils | Māori wards | No | Details |
| All 42 referenda ||||||