We’re down to the final days. Voting in the 2025 Local Elections closes at 12 noon this Saturday, 11 October.

If you’ve been putting it off, now is the time to act. Post your vote today (by 7 October to be safe) or drop it into one of the orange voting bins across our district right up until midday on Election Day.

Local elections often suffer from low voter turnout. In the 2022 local elections, only about 40% of eligible New Zealanders voted. Here in Tararua, our turnout was slightly higher — but still far from where it could be. Compare that to general elections, where turnout regularly sits around 80%, and you see the difference.

The reality is simple: when fewer people vote, fewer voices shape the decisions. That means critical choices about our roads, water, parks, and community services are decided by people who may not represent the whole community

This is your chance to change that story. Make sure your vote is counted this election.

If you're not enrolled yet, you'll need to cast a special vote. Casting a special vote is easy - find out how at www.tararuadc.govt.nz/elections or by popping in to your nearest Council Service Centre.

Election Day Results and timeframe for newly elected Council to take office

The progress result of the election is expected to be available around 2:00pm on 11 October 2025. The progress result is from the counting of all ordinary votes received at the vote processing centre as of 10 October. It will not include votes received at the Council office on 10 and 11 October, nor will it include the special votes.

The official final result is expected to be re­leased by Thursday 16 October. The final result includes votes received at Council on 10 and 11 October, and all of the valid special votes (these go through a process with the Electoral Com­mission before they can be counted).

The newly elected members come into office the day after public notice of the final result being given. For example, if the public notice of the final result of the election was published on Thursday 16 October, then the newly elected members would come into office on Friday 17 October 2025.

The previous Council members remain in office until the end of the day that the public notice of the final result is given. Public notice will be given via Council’s website.