If you’ve ever found yourself at a Council meeting thinking, “I want to be a part of this,” you might be just the kind of person our Council needs. Every three years, everyday people across Aotearoa put up their hands to represent their communities as councillors, mayors, or community board members. And you can too.
Here’s what it really takes to throw your hat into the ring.
First things first: Can You Stand?
To stand you must be:
- A New Zealand citizen,
- 18 years or older,
- Enrolled on the parliamentary electoral roll anywhere in the country, and
- Nominated by two people who live in the ward you’re running for.
You don’t need a degree in politics or a resume full of boardroom meetings. Local government thrives on diversity so farmers, small business owners, nurses, retirees and even students can take up seats around the Council table.
The Nomination mahi
If you decide to run, 4 July to 1 August 2025 (midday), is your window to make it official.
You’ll need to fill out a nomination form, get nominations from two people who live in the ward, write a 150-word candidate profile (this is your pitch to voters), and submit a recent photo. There’s also a $200 nomination deposit, which is refunded if you receive a certain percentage of votes.
Candidate Information evening
Council will be hosting a Candidate Information session where you will learn about how Council is structured, the role and responsibilities of elected representatives, the skills required, anticipated time commitments and meeting schedules and an overview of the nomination and election processes. Don’t miss out!
- Date: Wednesday 9 July 2025
- Venue: South Waikato District Council Chamber
- Time: 7pm
Campaigning: Share your Why
Campaigning isn’t about fancy slogans or big spending. It’s about connecting. Voters want to know why you're running and what you stand for.
Start by listening. Go to community events. Knock on doors. Set up a Facebook page or run a Q&A on Instagram. Some candidates print flyers or hold meet-the-candidate events. Others lean into digital media and storytelling. There’s no one-size-fits-all. Your message should be clear, local and authentic and suit your constituency.
A few legal bits: You must include an authorisation statement on all your campaign materials, and there are strict spending limits, which vary depending on the size of the population you’re campaigning to.
What happens if you’re elected?
If elected, your first move is to take an oath of office. After that, you hit the road running. It’s straight into induction, meetings, workshops and decisions that genuinely shape your community from parks to libraries, sports fields to roads.
You don’t need to have all the answers. You’ll be supported by Council staff and guided by legislation. What matters most is your willingness to listen, to learn and lead.
Key dates for candidates:
- 4 July: Candidate nominations open
- 9 July: Candidate Information Evening
- 1 August: Candidate nominations close at 12pm
- 6 August: Public notice of candidates’ names
- 9 September -11 October: Voting period
- 11 October: Election Day
- 16 October – Declaration of results
