2025 New Zealand local elections explained

The 2025 New Zealand local elections (mi|Nga Pōtitanga ā-Rohe 2025) will be held on 11 October 2025.^[1] Local government in New Zealand has triennial elections to elect city and district mayors and councillors, regional councillors, and members of local boards. Most city and district councils will also hold a local referendum on Māori wards. Tauranga City Council will not hold elections as they had mid-term elections during 2024.

Background

In 2023, the newly-formed Sixth National Government and its coalition partners ACT and New Zealand First pledged to "restore the right of local referendum on the establishment or ongoing use of Māori wards and constituencies."^{[2] [3]} Under the Local Government (Electoral Legislation and Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Act 2024, referenda will be held in 43 of the 45 local councils that had introduced Māori wards following the 2021 law change.^{[4] [5] [6]} Two councils, the Kaipara District Council and the Upper Hutt City Council, had voted to disestablish their Māori wards rather than holding referenda.^{[7] [8]}

Elections

Regional councils

The regions of New Zealand are governed by regional councils as the first tier of local government.

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.

Territorial authorities

The various urban, suburban, and rural districts of New Zealand are governed by territorial authorities as the second tier of local government. Tauranga will not hold elections due to having already held elections in 2024.^{[9] [10]}

Mayors

All territorial authorities (including unitary authorities) directly elect mayors.

Left leaning Right leaning Centrist Other / unclear

Local boards

After the conglomeration of the various councils situated within the Auckland Region, local boards were created to deal with more local issues.

Community boards

Elections will also be held for 110 community boards, which have been set up by 40 of the territorial authorities under Part 4 of the Local Government Act 2002 to represent the interests of particular communities within those territories.^{[11] [12]}

Licensing trusts

Elections will also be held for 14 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:

• 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

Referenda

See also

• Local elections in New Zealand

Notes and References

1. Web site: Council . Auckland . Local versus general elections . 23 September 2024 . Auckland Council . en.
2. News: 24 November 2023 . What the new government may mean for Māori and Te Tiriti . https://web.archive.org/web/20231217003838/https://www.1news.co.nz/2023/11/24/what-the-new-government-may-mean-for-maori-te-tiriti/ . 17 December 2023 . 30 December 2023 . . TVNZ.
3. News: LaHatte . Deborah . 24 November 2023 . Treaty issues among policy compromises for new government . https://web.archive.org/web/20231204155514/https://www.teaonews.co.nz/2023/11/24/treaty-issues-among-policy-compromises-for-new-government/ . 4 December 2023 . 30 December 2023 . Te Ao Maori News . Maori Television.
4. Government bill. New Zealand House of Representatives. Local Government (Electoral Legislation and Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Bill.
5. Web site: 23 September 2024 . Audrey Young: The tsunami of policies aimed at Māori . 23 September 2024 . NZ Herald . en-NZ.
6. News: Murray . Anna . Māori wards deadline: Most councils stand firm, express frustration . 7 September 2024 . . 6 September 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240906175350/https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/09/06/maori-wards-deadline-most-councils-stand-firm-express-frustration/ . 6 September 2024.
7. News: Botting . Susan . Kaipara District Council votes to disestablish Māori ward . 7 August 2024 . . 7 August 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240807023351/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/protestors-disrupt-kaipara-council-meeting-councillor-pera-paniora-warned-she-would-be-removed/ADQZ3FAQ4JEGPMUSEEAGT4PVPM/ . 7 August 2024.
8. News: Wave of support for Māori seats . 1 September 2024 . . 30 August 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240830114146/https://www.odt.co.nz/news/national/wave-support-m%C4%81ori-seats . 30 August 2024.
9. News: Wanted: candidates for council's 2024 election – The Bay's News First . 4 May 2024 . www.sunlive.co.nz . . 4 February 2024 . en.
10. News: Dates for the Tauranga City Council Election in July 2024 and the Following Election . 4 May 2024 . . 22 August 2023.
11. Web site: Community boards. Local Government New Zealand. 1 November 2024.
12. Web site: Community Board List. Local Government New Zealand. 1 November 2024.