Local elections 2025 – here’s what you need to know
Published on 07 May 2025
It’s a local elections year and the Deputy Electoral Officer for Whangārei District, Nicolene Pestana, says there are two key differences to look out for.
“We have a new way of voting called ‘Single Transferrable Vote’ or ‘STV’, and a poll on our Māori Ward.”
“The STV process is very simple. Instead of ticking your favourite candidate, this year you’ll be asked to number the candidates from the one you like the most (which would be your number one) to the one you like the least.
"A formula is used to distribute votes once successful candidates have passed the ‘quota’, which allows your second and third (and so on) votes to count, rather than being lost as they would be in a First Past the Post system.
“The second thing to keep an eye out for is the Māori Ward Poll, which will be posted to you as part of your voting documents. This is an important question for everyone, regardless of your ethnicity or which electoral roll you’re on. The question will be simple: ‘I vote to keep the Māori ward / constituency’, or ‘I vote to remove the Māori ward/constituency’.”
Read more about the Māori Ward Poll:
Māori Ward Poll
If you’re thinking of running for Council, or if you have questions about enrolling or voting in the local elections, come and see or email Nicolene and the elections team:
Te Iwitahi (civic centre)
9 Rust Avenue, Whangārei
Hours: Monday to Friday - 8:00am to 4:30pm
Closed public holidays
Email: elections@wdc.govt.nz