Candidate nominations

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.

Nominations are open and close at noon on Friday, 1 August. 

There are multiple ways to complete the nomination process. 

• Download the required nomination paper below or in page documents.
• Complete online
• Get forms from:
  • Whakatāne District Council - 14 Commerce Street, Whakatāne 
  • Murupara Library and Service Centre -Civic Square, 48 Pine Drive, Murupara

Positions you can stand for

Mayor

• Elected 'at large' across the entire district
• Provides leadership to council and the community
• 3-year term

Councillors (10 positions across 6 wards)

General Wards:

• Whakatāne-Ōhope General Ward (4 councillors)
• Rangitāiki General Ward (2 councillors)
• Te Urewera General Ward (1 councillor)

Māori Wards:

• Rangitāiki Māori Ward (1 councillor)
• Kāpū-te-rangi Māori Ward (1 councillor)
• Toi ki Uta Māori Ward (1 councillor)

Community Board Members (24 positions across 4 boards)

• Whakatāne-Ōhope Community Board (6 members)
• Rangitāiki Community Board (6 members)
• Tāneatua Community Board (6 members)
• Murupara Community Board (6 members, including subdivisions)

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.

Governance: You'll be responsible for the strategic direction and oversight of council operations, ensuring our district thrives.

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.

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.

Nomination Process

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 Dates

• Nominations Open: Friday, 4 July 2025
• Nominations Close: Friday, 1 August 2025 (12 noon)
• Voting Period: Tuesday, 9 September - Saturday, 11 October 2025
• Election Day: Saturday, 11 October 2025 (voting closes 12 noon)

Candidate briefing

We held a candidate briefing on Saturday, 14 June to help candidates learn what serving your community really involves. The resources below are from the evening.

We covered:

• Council operations and how decisions are made
• Real-world time commitments and responsibilities
• Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations in local government
• Communication, technology and community engagement
• What a typical day looks like for a councillor
• Remuneration and expenses
• Current challenges facing our district
• Key documents and resources you'll need