Nominations for the 2025 Local Elections closed at 12 noon on Friday 1 August.

A total of 45 candidates have been confirmed across the Tararua District, including those standing for the Horizons Regional Council Tararua  Constituency and the Tonga Māori Ward.

The confirmed nominations include:

• 5 candidates for Mayor
• 11 candidates for North Ward
• 11 candidates for South Ward
• 2 candidates for the Tāmaki-nui-a-Rua Māori Ward
• 8 candidates for the Dannevirke Community Board
• 6 candidates for the Eketāhuna Community Board
• 2 candidates for the Horizons Tararua General Constituency
• 1 candidate for the Horizons Tonga Māori Ward

A full list of confirmed candidates is available online at: www.tararuadc.govt.nz/elections

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Meet the Candidates Events

Community groups across the district are hosting public sessions where residents can hear directly from candidates standing in their local area. Upcoming events include:

• Woodville – 12 August at the Village Hall
  
  • 7:00pm: South Ward
• Dannevirke – 16 August at the Dannevirke Town Hall
  
  • 1:00pm: Horizons Tararua Constituency
  • 3:00pm: Dannevirke Community Board
  • 4:00pm: North Ward
  • 7:00pm: Mayoralty
• Woodville – 19 August at the Village Hall
  
  • 7:00pm: Mayoralty, Tamaki Nui-a-Rua Ward and Horizons Constituency
• Eketāhuna – 3 September at the Eketāhuna Community Centre
  
  • 3:00pm: Eketāhuna Community Board
  • 4:00pm: South Ward
  • 7:00pm: Tāmaki-nui-a-Rua Māori Ward
• Pongaroa – 8 September at the Pongaroa Hall 
  
  • 6:30pm: Mayoralty, North Ward, Tamaki Nui-a-Rua Ward, Dannevirke Community Board, Horizons Regional Council Tararua Constituency
• Pahiatua – 10 September at the Bush Community Centre
  
  • 7:00pm: Mayoralty, South Ward, Tamaki Nui-a-Rua Ward, Horizons Regional Council Tararua Constituency

Each event will focus on different combinations of candidates depending on the location. This list is current as at Monday 11 August 2025, for updates please go to www.tararuadc.govt.nz/elections

Anyone organising additional candidate forums is encouraged to contact the Deputy Electoral Officer on 06 374 4080 to have their event listed or email: elections@tararuadc.govt.nz

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Correction - Candidate Meetings in Woodville

An error appeared in Council's full-page booking in the Bush Telegraph on 11 August 2025. The candidate dates for Woodville were listed incorrectly.

The correct details are:

• 12 August, 7:00pm at the Village Hall – South Ward candidates
• 19 August, 7:00pm at the Village Hall – Mayoralty, Tamaki Nui-a-Rua Ward, and Horizons Constituency candidates

We apologise for any confusion caused.