# 2019 New Zealand local elections

The 2019 New Zealand local elections (Māori: Nga Pōtitanga ā-Rohe 2019) were triennial elections held in New Zealand on Saturday 12 October 2019.

## Election schedule

Key dates relating to the local elections were as follows:
| 1 July 2019 | Electoral Commission enrolment campaign starts. |
| 19 July 2019 | Nominations open for candidates. Rolls open for inspection at council offices and other sites locally. |
| 16 August 2019 | Nominations close at 12:00. Rolls close. |
| 21 August 2019 | Election date and candidates' names publicised by electoral officers. |
| 20–25 September 2019 | Voting documents delivered to households. Electors can post the documents back to electoral officers as soon as they have voted. |
| 12 October 2019 | Polling day — The voting documents must be at the council before voting closes at 12:00. Preliminary results will be available as soon as possible afterwards. |
| 17–23 October 2019 | Official results declared |

## Results

In Auckland, Phil Goff was re-elected Mayor and at least 16 of the city's 20 councillors retained their seats, with two new councillors winning seats which were vacated by retirement. In Hamilton, incumbent mayor Andrew King lost to Paula Southgate, who previously challenged him in 2016, while four controversial councillors were voted out of office. In Wellington incumbent mayor Justin Lester was unseated by Andy Foster, who received a high-profile endorsement from filmmaker Sir Peter Jackson. The election also marked the first time a Green Party member was elected to serve as a mayor in New Zealand, with Aaron Hawkins being elected Mayor of Dunedin.
According to The Spinoff's editor Toby Manhire, the 2019 local elections had the lowest number of candidate nominations relative to the total number of available seats. Of the 572 local body elections held that year, 101 seats and positions were not contested while 235 candidates were elected unopposed.

## 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 Unknown | 9 Independents | | | |
| Waikato | FPP | 14 | 14 Unknown | 14 Independents | | | |
| Bay of Plenty | FPP | 14 | 14 Unknown | 14 Independents | | | |
| Hawke's Bay | FPP | 9 | 9 Unknown | 9 Independents | | | |
| Taranaki | FPP | 11 | 11 Unknown | 11 Independents | | | |
| Horizons (Manawatū-Whanganui) | FPP | 12 | 12 Unknown | 12 Independents | | | |
| Greater Wellington | STV | 13 | 13 Unknown | 9 Independents 2 Green 1 The Wellington Party 1 Labour | | | |
| West Coast | FPP | 7 | 7 Unknown | 7 Independents | | | |
| Canterbury | FPP | 14 | 14 Unknown | 10 Independents 3 People's Choice – Labour 1 People's Choice | | | |
| Otago | FPP | 12 | 12 Unknown | 11 Independents 1 Labour | | | |
| Southland | FPP | 12 | 12 Unknown | 12 Independents | | | |
| All 11 councils | All 11 councils | 127 | | | | | |

### 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 | 20 Unknown | 5 Independents 4 Labour 3 Communities & Residents 2 City Vision 2 Putting People First 2 Manurewa-Papakura Action Team 2 Other | | | |
| Gisborne | STV | 13 | 13 Unknown | 13 Independents | | | |
| Nelson | STV | 12 | 12 Unknown | 11 Independents 1 Labour | | | |
| Tasman | FPP | 13 | 13 Unknown | 13 Independents | | | |
| Marlborough | STV | 13 | 13 Unknown | 13 Independents | | | |
| Chatham Islands | FPP | 8 | 8 Unknown | 8 Independents | | | |
| All 6 councils | All 6 councils | 79 | | | | | |

### Territorial authorities

The various urban, suburban, and rural districts of New Zealand are governed by territorial authorities as the second tier of local government.
| Council | Electoral System | Seats | Control | Control | Turnout | Details | Sources |
| Council | Electoral System | Seats | Previous | Result | Turnout | Details | Sources |
| Far North | STV | 10 | 10 Unknown | 10 Independents | | | |
| Whangārei | FPP | 13 | 13 Unknown | 13 Independents | | | |
| Kaipara | STV | 9 | 9 Unknown | 9 Independents | | | |
| Hauraki | FPP | 13 | 13 Unknown | 13 Independents | | | |
| Thames-Coromandel | FPP | 8 | 8 Unknown | 8 Independents | | | |
| Waikato | FPP | 11 | 11 Unknown | 11 Independents | | | |
| Matamata-Piako | FPP | 11 | 11 Unknown | 11 Independents | | | |
| Hamilton | STV | 12 | 12 Unknown | 12 Independents | | | |
| Waipā | FPP | 9 | 9 Unknown | 9 Independents | | | |
| Ōtorohanga | FPP | 7 | 7 Unknown | 7 Independents | | | |
| South Waikato | FPP | 9 | 9 Unknown | 9 Independents | | | |
| Waitomo | FPP | 6 | 6 Unknown | 6 Independents | | | |
| Taupō | FPP | 12 | 12 Unknown | 8 Independents 2 Love Turangi | | | |
| Western Bay of Plenty | FPP | 11 | 11 Unknown | 11 Independents | | | |
| Tauranga | FPP | 10 | 10 Unknown | 10 Independents | | | |
| Rotorua Lakes | FPP | 10 | 10 Unknown | 8 Independents 2 RDR&R | | | |
| Whakatāne | FPP | 10 | 10 Unknown | 10 Independents | | | |
| Kawerau | FPP | 8 | 8 Unknown | 8 Independents | | | |
| Ōpōtiki | FPP | 6 | 6 Unknown | 6 Independents | | | |
| Wairoa | FPP | 6 | 6 Unknown | 6 Independents | | | |
| Hastings | FPP | 13 | 13 Unknown | 12 Independents 1 Labour | | | |
| Napier | FPP | 12 | 12 Unknown | 12 Independents | | | |
| Central Hawke's Bay | FPP | 8 | 8 Unknown | 8 Independents | | | |
| New Plymouth | STV | 14 | 14 Unknown | 14 Independents | | | |
| Stratford | FPP | 10 | 10 Unknown | 10 Independents | | | |
| South Taranaki | FPP | 12 | 12 Unknown | 12 Independents | | | |
| Ruapehu | STV | 10 | 10 Unknown | 10 Independent | | | |
| Whanganui | FPP | 12 | 12 Unknown | 12 Independent | | | |
| Rangitikei | FPP | 11 | 11 Unknown | 11 Independents | | | |
| Manawatū | FPP | 10 | 10 Unknown | 10 Independents | | | |
| Palmerston North | STV | 15 | 15 Unknown | 11 Independents 2 Green 2 Labour | | | |
| Tararua | FPP | 8 | 8 Unknown | 8 Independents | | | |
| Horowhenua | FPP | 10 | 10 Unknown | 10 Independents | | | |
| Kāpiti Coast | STV | 10 | 10 Unknown | 9 Independents 1 Labour | | | |
| Porirua | STV | 10 | 10 Unknown | 10 Unknown | | | |
| Upper Hutt | FPP | 10 | 10 Unknown | 10 Independents | | | |
| Hutt (Lower Hutt) | FPP | 12 | 12 Unknown | 11 Independents 1 Labour | | | |
| Wellington | STV | 15 | 15 Unknown | 8 Independents 3 Labour 3 Green 1 The Wellington Party | | | |
| Masterton | FPP | 10 | 10 Unknown | 10 Independents | | | |
| Carterton | FPP | 8 | 8 Unknown | 8 Independents | | | |
| South Wairarapa | FPP | 9 | 9 Unknown | 9 Independents | | | |
| Buller | FPP | 10 | 10 Unknown | 10 Independents | | | |
| Grey | FPP | 8 | 8 Unknown | 8 Independents | | | |
| Westland | FPP | 8 | 8 Unknown | 8 Independents | | | |
| Kaikōura | FPP | 7 | 7 Unknown | 7 Independents | | | |
| Hurunui | FPP | 10 | 10 Unknown | 10 Independents | | | |
| Waimakariri | FPP | 10 | 10 Unknown | 10 Independents | | | |
| Christchurch | FPP | 16 | 16 Unknown | 6 Independents 3 The People's Choice 3 The People's Choice – Labour 3 Independent Citizens 1 Labour | | | |
| Selwyn | FPP | 11 | 11 Unknown | 11 Independents | | | |
| Ashburton | FPP | 9 | 9 Unknown | 9 Independents | | | |
| Timaru | FPP | 9 | 9 Unknown | 9 Independents | | | |
| Mackenzie | FPP | 6 | 6 Unknown | 6 Independents | | | |
| Waimate | FPP | 8 | 8 Unknown | 8 Independents | | | |
| Waitaki | FPP | 10 | 10 Unknown | 10 Independents | | | |
| Central Otago | FPP | 11 | 11 Unknown | 11 Independents | | | |
| Queenstown-Lakes | FPP | 10 | 10 Unknown | 10 Independents | | | |
| Dunedin | STV | 14 | 14 Unknown | 12 Independents 1 Green Dunedin 1 Labour | | | |
| Clutha | FPP | 14 | 14 Unknown | 14 Independents | | | |
| Southland | FPP | 12 | 12 Unknown | 12 Independents | | | |
| Gore | FPP | 11 | 11 Unknown | 11 Independents | | | |
| Invercargill | FPP | 12 | 12 Unknown | 11 Independents 1 IRAG | | | |
| 60 councils | 60 councils | 626 | | | | | |

### Mayors

All territorial authorities (including unitary authorities) directly elect mayors.
| Territorial authority | Incumbent | Elected | Runner-up | Details |
| Far North | John Carter (Ind.) | John Carter (Ind.) | Tania McInnes (Ind.) | |
| Whangārei | Sheryl Mai (Ind.) | Sheryl Mai (Ind.) | Tony Savage (Ind.) | |
| Kaipara | Jason Smith (Ind.) | Jason Smith (Ind.) | Moemoea Mohoawhenua (Ind.) | |
| Auckland | Phil Goff (Ind.) | Phil Goff (Ind.) | John Tamihere (Ind.) | Details |
| Thames-Coromandel | Sandra Goudie (Ind.) | Sandra Goudie (Ind.) | Len Salt (Ind.) | |
| Hauraki | John Tregidga (Ind.) | Toby Adams (Ind.) | Josie Anderson (Ind.) | |
| Waikato | Allan Sanson (Ind.) | Allan Sanson (Ind.) | Korikori Hawkins (Ind.) | |
| Matamata-Piako | Jan Barnes (Ind.) | Ash Turner (Ind.) | Jan Barnes (Ind.) | |
| Hamilton | Andrew King (Ind.) | Andrew King (Ind.) | Andrew King (Ind.) | |
| Waipā | Jim Mylchreest (Ind.) | Jim Mylchreest (Ind.) | unopposed | |
| Ōtorohanga | Max Baxter (Ind.) | Max Baxter (Ind.) | Leveson Gower (Ind.) | |
| South Waikato | Jenny Shattock (Ind.) | Jenny Shattock (Ind.) | unopposed | |
| Waitomo | Brian Hanna (Ind.) | John Robertson (Ind.) | Brian Hanna (Ind.) | |
| Taupō | David Trewavas (Ind.) | David Trewavas (Ind.) | Zane Cozens (Ind.) | |
| Western Bay of Plenty | Gary Webber (Ind.) | Gary Webber (Ind.) | Margaret Murray-Benge (Ind.) | |
| Tauranga | Greg Brownless (Ind.) | Tenby Powell (Ind.) | Greg Brownless (Ind.) | |
| Rotorua | Steve Chadwick (Ind.) | Steve Chadwick (Ind.) | Reynold MacPherson (Ind.) | |
| Whakatāne | Tony Bonne (Ind.) | Judy Turner (Ind.) | Victor Luca (Ind.) | |
| Kawerau | Malcolm Campbell (Ind.) | Malcolm Campbell (Ind.) | Tracy Hill (Ind.) | |
| Ōpōtiki | John Forbes (Ind.) | Lyn Riesterer (Ind.) | Alex Dobie (Ind.) | |
| Gisborne | Rehette Stoltz (Ind.) | Rehette Stoltz (Ind.) | Meredith Akuhata-Brown (Ind.) | |
| Wairoa | Craig Little (Ind.) | Craig Little (Ind.) | Waipatu Winitana (Ind.) | Details |
| Hastings | Sandra Hazlehurst (Ind.) | Sandra Hazlehurst (Ind.) | Damon Harvey (Ind.) | Details |
| Napier | Bill Dalton (Ind.) | Bill Dalton (Ind.) | Chris Tremain (Ind.) | Details |
| Central Hawke's Bay | Alex Walker (Ind.) | Alex Walker (Ind.) | Darcie Scowen (Ind.) | Details |
| New Plymouth | Neil Holdom (Ind.) | Neil Holdom (Ind.) | Max Brough (Ind.) | |
| Stratford | Neil Volzke (Ind.) | Neil Volzke (Ind.) | Graham Kelly (Ind.) | |
| South Taranaki | Ross Dunlop (Ind.) | Ross Dunlop (Ind.) | Craig Baylis (Ind.) | |
| Ruapehu | Don Cameron (Ind.) | Don Cameron (Ind.) | Jacques Windell (Ind.) | |
| Whanganui | Hamish McDouall (Ind.) | Hamish McDouall (Ind.) | unopposed | |
| Rangitikei | Andy Watson (Ind.) | Andy Watson (Ind.) | unopposed | |
| Manawatū | Helen Worboys (Ind.) | Helen Worboys (Ind.) | James Harold (Ind.) | |
| Palmerston North | Grant Smith (Ind.) | Grant Smith (Ind.) | Teanau Tuiono (Ind.) | |
| Tararua | Tracey Collis (Ind.) | Tracey Collis (Ind.) | James Harold (Ind.) | |
| Horowhenua | Michael Feyen (Ind.) | Michael Feyen (Ind.) | Victoria Kaye-Simmons (Ind.) | |
| Kāpiti Coast | K Gurunathan (Ind.) | K Gurunathan (Ind.) | Gwynn Compton (Ind.) | Details |
| Porirua | Mike Tana (Ind.) | Anita Baker (Ind.) | Mike Tana (Ind.) | Details |
| Upper Hutt | Wayne Guppy (Ind.) | Wayne Guppy (Ind.) | Angela McLeod (Ind.) | Details |
| Hutt (Lower Hutt) | Ray Wallace (Ind.) | Campbell Barry (Labour) | Ray Wallace (Ind.) | Details |
| Wellington | Justin Lester (Labour) | Andy Foster (Ind.) | Justin Lester (Labour) | Details |
| Masterton | Lyn Patterson (Ind.) | Lyn Patterson (Ind.) | Tina Nixon (Ind.) | Details |
| Carterton | John Booth (Ind.) | Greg Lang (Ind.) | Jill Greathead (Ind.) | Details |
| South Wairarapa | Viv Napier (Ind.) | Alex Beijen (Ind.) | Viv Napier (Ind.) | Details |
| Tasman | Richard Kempthorne (Ind.) | Tim King (Ind.) | Brent Maru (Ind.) | |
| Nelson | Rachel Reese (Ind.) | Rachel Reese (Ind.) | Mel Courtney (Ind.) | |
| Marlborough | John Leggett (Ind.) | John Leggett (Ind.) | Jamie Arbuckle (Ind.) | |
| Buller | Gary Howard (Ind.) | Gary Howard (Ind.) | Pat O'Dea (Ind.) | |
| Grey | Tony Kokshoorn (Ind.) | Tony Kokshoorn (Ind.) | Cliff Sandrey (Ind.) | |
| Westland | Bruce Smith (Ind.) | Bruce Smith (Ind.) | Latham Martin (Ind.) | |
| Kaikōura | Winston Gray (Ind.) | Craig Mackle (Ind.) | John Diver (Ind.) | |
| Hurunui | Winton Dalley (Ind.) | Winton Dalley (Ind.) | unopposed | |
| Waimakariri | David Ayers (Ind.) | Dan Gordon (Ind.) | Paul Williams (Ind.) | |
| Christchurch | Lianne Dalziel (Ind.) | Lianne Dalziel (Ind.) | Darryll Park (Ind.) | Details |
| Selwyn | Sam Broughton (Ind.) | Sam Broughton (Ind.) | Bill Woods (Ind.) | |
| Ashburton | Donna Favel (Ind.) | Neil Brown (Ind.) | Tony Todd (Ind.) | |
| Timaru | Damon Odey (Ind.) | Nigel Bowen (Ind.) | Gordon Handy (Ind.) | |
| Mackenzie | Graham Smith (Ind.) | Graham Smith (Ind.) | Julian Lee (Ind.) | |
| Waimate | Craig Rowley (Ind.) | Craig Rowley (Ind.) | Murray Ludemann (Ind.) | |
| Chatham Islands | Alfred Preece (Ind.) | Monique Croon (Ind.) | Greg Horler (Ind.) | |
| Waitaki | Gary Kircher (Ind.) | Gary Kircher (Ind.) | Katrina Hazelhurst (Ind.) | |
| Central Otago | Tim Cadogan (Ind.) | Tim Cadogan (Ind.) | Victoria Bonham (Ind.) | |
| Queenstown-Lakes | Jim Boult (Ind.) | Jim Boult (Ind.) | Nick Kiddle (Ind.) | |
| Dunedin | Dave Cull (Ind.) | Aaron Hawkins (Green) | Lee Vandervis (Ind.) | Details |
| Clutha | Bryan Cadogan (Ind.) | Bryan Cadogan (Ind.) | unopposed | |
| Southland | Gary Tong (Ind.) | Gary Tong (Ind.) | Don Byars (Ind.) | |
| Gore | Tracy Hicks (Ind.) | Tracy Hicks (Ind.) | unopposed | |
| Invercargill | Tim Shadbolt (Ind.) | Tim Shadbolt (Ind.) | Darren Ludlow (Ind.) | Details |
| Notes ↑ Endorsed by Labour ||||||

### Community boards

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

### District health boards

Elections were also held for District health boards (DHBs).
These were the last elections held for the DHBs before they were disestablished on 1 July 2022 and replaced by Te Whatu Ora.

### Licensing trusts

Elections were also be held for 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:
* Ashburton Licensing Trust
* 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