2026 By-Elections: Murupara Community Board - Galatea-Waiohau Subdivision and Tāneatua Community Board

Nominations for the 2026 By-Elections open Monday, 24 November

• Murupara Community Board – Galatea-Waiōhau Subdivision (one vacancy)
• Tāneatua Community Board (three vacancies)

Local government enables communities, through their elected representatives, to make decisions about the way their district works today and for the future. 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.

Lead where you live

As an elected member, you'll represent your community's interests and help shape Whakatāne's future for current and future generations. You'll work to foster inclusion and ensure diverse voices in the community are heard in local decision-making.

Elected member role

Representation: You'll speak on behalf of individuals and organisations in your community, acting in their best interests and making decisions that benefit both current and future generations.

Treaty partnership: A key responsibility is upholding the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi - The Treaty of Waitangi, reflecting our commitment to partnership with tangata whenua.

Community leadership: You'll foster inclusion and belonging, ensuring all voices across our diverse Whakatāne community are heard and valued.

Nomination Process

Nomination forms can be picked up from:

• Whakatāne District Council – Civic Centre, 14 Commerce Street, Whakatāne
• Murupara Service Centre, Civic Square, Murupara

Nomination involves the following steps:

• Completion of an official nomination form, sent to the council’s electoral officer.
• Nominations from two people. Candidates cannot nominate themselves, and those who nominate candidates must be over 18 years old and enrolled to vote in the area the candidate is planning to stand.
• Candidates must consent to their nomination going forward.
• A $200 deposit must be paid, which may be refunded depending on election results.

Key Requirements

Eligibility:

• New Zealand citizen
• Name on the Parliamentary Electoral Roll (anywhere in New Zealand)
• Two nominators enrolled in the area you're standing for

Important: You don't need to live in the ward you're standing for, but this must be disclosed to voters.

By-Elections Timetable

The timetable below outlines when key events will occur.