​ ​ ​ ​ ​
Contact

Search

Elections

Local body elections 2025

Local elections are held throughout Aotearoa every three years. The next local government election (including here in Ōpōtiki) will be held on Saturday 11 October 2025.

The Ōpōtiki covers a very large area from Ōhiwa in the west to Whangaparāoa Cape Runaway in the north and inland to the Raukumara Ranges. It is currently divided into three wards – Ōpōtiki, Waioeka-Waiōtahe-Otara, and the Coast.

However, following the adoption of Māori wards in 2022, council undertook a Representation Review and adopted a new ward structure with two Māori wards and two General wards. This decision has been referred to the Local Government Commission and we expect to hear their determination on our ward structure no later than 10 April 2025.

Key dates

1 July 2025 - Candidate nominations open and roll opens for public inspection

1 August 2025 at 12 noon - Candidate nominations close and roll closes

6 August 2025 - Public notice of candidates’ names

9-22 September 2025 - Voting documents delivered

7 October 2025 - Last day for posting vote by mail. After this date votes must be returned to council’s secure ballot boxes.

11 October 2025 at 12 noon Election day – voting closes midday

11 October 2025from 12 noon - Preliminary results

16-22 October 2025 - Declaration of results

October/November 2025 - Elected members’ swearing in ceremonies

Enrolling and voting

You can enroll 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.

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.

Do you pay rates on a property in Ōpōtiki district but live in another area?

You may qualify to vote in both areas.

Read more about becoming a Ratepayer Elector on the Vote.nz website
And if you think you may be eligible to enrol or to nominate someone as a ratepayer elector you can complete the Enrolment Form for Ratepayer Electors PDF.

Share this

Share this page

Sharing...