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.
Māori Wards Poll
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.
- If the poll outcome is 'yes', then the Māori wards will remain in place for the 2028 and 2031 elections.
- If the poll outcome is 'no', then the Māori wards cannot be re-established for at least the 2028 and 2031 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.
- If the 2025 poll supports Māori wards, the 2027/2028 representation review must include Māori ward(s) in the arrangements.
- If the 2025 poll does not support Māori wards, the 2027/2028 representation review will not include Māori ward(s).
Stand informed. Stand decided. Understanding all perspectives helps you take your stand on representation that matters to your community.
What you'll be voting for
Your community needs your voice. You'll be voting for representatives who will make decisions affecting your daily life for the next three years:
Mayor (elected district-wide)
10 Councillors from 6 wards:
- Rangitāiki General Ward (2 councillors)
- Te Urewera General Ward (1 councillor)
- Whakatāne-Ōhope General Ward (4 councillors)
- Rangitāiki Māori Ward (1 councillor)
- Kāpū-te-rangi Māori Ward (1 councillor)
- Toi ki Uta Māori Ward (1 councillor)
Community boards (24 members total)
- Whakatāne-Ōhope Community Board
- Rangitāiki Community Board
- Tāneatua Community Board
- Murupara Community Board
Elections 2025 Timetable
| 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. |
How to vote
Every vote is a stand for Whakatāne's future.
The council will send your voting papers to you in the mail when it is time to vote, so it is important that you’re enrolled at the right address.
Postal Voting
All elections are conducted by postal vote using the First Past the Post (FPP) electoral system. You'll receive your voting documents by post between 9-22 September 2025.
Return Your Vote
Stand and be counted - return your completed voting documents by:
Post (recommended by Tuesday, 7 October)
- Use the pre-paid return envelope provided
- Post anywhere in New Zealand
Mobile voting bins (by 12 noon, Saturday, 11 October)
Drop off at any of these locations during the voting period:
- Whakatāne District Council service centre, 14 Commerce Street, Whakatāne
- Murupara Library & Service Centre, 48 Pine Drive, Murupara
- Edgecumbe Library, 38 College Road, Edgecumbe
- Ōhope Library, 4 Harbour Road, Ōhope
- Whakatāne Library and Exhibition Centre, 49 Kākahoroa Drive, Whakatāne
Special vote
Can't get to a mobile voting box or didn't receive your voting pack? Special votes ensure no eligible voter is left out. You may need a special vote if you didn't receive your voting documents by 22 September, you're away during the voting period, you need to update your enrolment details, or you have accessibility requirements.
Special votes are available from Tuesday, 9 September until noon on Saturday, 11 October 2025 at:
- Whakatāne District Council's service centre (14 Commerce Street)
- Murupara Library & Service Centre (48 Pine Drive)
- Calling the electoral office on 0800 922 822. You'll need to complete a statutory declaration and provide proof of identity and address.
Enrol to vote | Whakauru
Your vote starts with enrolment.
Before you can vote in a Local Election, you need to enrol. If you received your enrolment pack in the mail, you are ready to vote. If you did not receive an enrolment pack in the mail, it means that you are not enrolled to vote, or your details are not up to date.
Not sure if you are enrolled? Check your details online. Better safe than silent.
Who can enrol to vote
You can enrol to vote as a resident if you:
- are 18 years or older,
- are a New Zealand Citizen or permanent resident,
- have lived in New Zealand continuously for 12 months or more at some time in your life.
If you're enrolled to vote for the parliamentary elections, then you’re automatically enrolled for Council elections too.
Enrolling on the General or Māori electoral roll
Visit vote.nz, email enrol@vote.nz, call 0800 36 76 56, or freetext your name and address to 3676 to enrol to vote or to update your enrolment details.
The Māori Electoral Option is a choice for Māori about which electoral roll to be on: the Māori roll or the general roll.
Visit vote.nz to find out more, and to choose either the Māori roll or the general roll »
How to enrol if you are a ratepayer for the Whakatāne District but you don't live here
If you own property in the district but live elsewhere you may be able to enrol as a non-resident ratepayer elector and vote in both areas.
Simply download an Enrolment Form for Ratepayer Electors, fill it in and email it to ratepayer@electionservices.co.nz or post it to Electoral Officer, PO Box 5135, Victoria Street West, Auckland 1142.
Stand as a candidate
Empty seats don't speak. Fill them with passion, purpose and perspective. You don't need prior political experience - passion and commitment are what matter.
Key Information for Candidates
Nominations open: Friday, 4 July 2025
Nominations close: Friday, 1 August 2025 at 12 noon
Nomination fee: $200 GST inclusive per position
Term: 3 years
Requirements: Must be a New Zealand citizen on the Parliamentary Electoral Roll
Contact information
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