Local elections, held every three years, are an opportunity for residents and ratepayers to vote for a mayor and councillors. The next local election will be held on Saturday, 11 October 2025.
Some things are worth standing for. Your community is one of them.
Your stand matters. Your vote matters. Your voice matters. Local decisions shape everyday life - from the parks we play in to the water from our taps. What matters to you should matter at council. Make sure it does.
By being elected to Whakatāne District Council or a community board, you'll be contributing to decisions that affect people and communities across the district.
Are you ready to vote on 11 October?
Every vote is a stand for Whakatāne's future.
Whakatāne District Council today launches its 2025 local election campaign – Stand for Something: Tū Tūturu.
The campaign calls on people from all walks of life to step up, be heard, and lead where they live. It also encourages residents and ratepayers to enrol, vote and help shape the future of the Whakatāne District. Read the full article »
A binding poll in relation to Māori Wards will also be held alongside the election.
The poll will be held alongside the 2025 local body elections, with voting closing on Saturday, 11 October 2025.
While the existing Māori wards will remain in place for the 2025 election, the outcome of the poll is binding and will determine Māori ward arrangements for the 2028 and 2031 local elections.
Regardless of the poll outcome, the Council is required to complete a representation review at least once every six years. The last review was conducted in 2021/2022, meaning the next Council representation review will take place in 2027/28.
Stand informed. Stand decided. Understanding all perspectives helps you take your stand on representation that matters to your community.
Your community needs your voice. You'll be voting for representatives who will make decisions affecting your daily life for the next three years:
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Now - Monday, 4 August | Enrol! From Monday, 4 August anyone who is entitled to vote and who is not enrolled as an elector, or whose details are incorrectly recorded on the roll, will have to cast a 'special vote'. |
| Friday, 4 July | Nominations open for candidates. Nominations have to be sent to the electoral officer for the council, district health board or licensing trust. Rolls open for inspection at council offices and other sites locally. |
| Monday, 4 August | Nominations close at 12 noon. Rolls close. After this date, anyone who is entitled to vote and who is not enrolled as an elector, or whose details are incorrectly recorded on the roll, will have to cast a 'special vote'. |
| Tuesday, 9 September | Voting opens. Voting documents delivered to households. Electors can post the documents back to electoral officers as soon as they have voted. |
| Saturday, 11 October | Polling day - The voting documents must be at the council before voting closes at 12 noon. Preliminary results (i.e. once all 'ordinary' votes are counted) will be available as soon as possible afterwards. |
| 16-29 October (or as soon as practicable) | Official results (including all valid ordinary and special votes) declared. |
Electoral Officer
Dale Ofsoske
Independent Election Services Ltd
Phone: 0800 922 822
Email: dale.ofsoske@electionservices.co.nz
Deputy Electoral Officer
Chirese Viljoen
Whakatāne District Council
Phone: 07 306 0500
Email: chirese.viljoen@whakatane.govt.nz
Whakatāne District Council's vision is to be known as the place of choice for people to live, work and play. Find out more about how we set out to achieve that through our people, initiatives, projects and governance.
Give us general feedback or make enquiries. Bring attention to problems in your neighbourhood and request a service to fix them. Make a complaint about the Council's standard of service or another issue.
Whakatāne District Council has a number of documents available for public viewing, including:
This section contains information relevant to residents of the Whakatāne District and shortcuts to commonly-accessed services in other sections of this website.
Whakatāne District Council provides a wide range of services to its residents and ratepayers. In this section, you will find information on these services.