Candidate Information 2025 Election

Nominations open on Friday 4 July 2025 and close at 12:00pm (midday) on Friday 1 August 2025.

You’ll find all the essential information in our Candidate Information Handbook, available below. It covers everything you need to know about standing in the 2025 local elections, including what positions are available.

Candidate Handbook 2025 (PDF file, 8.3 MB)

Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) has also produced a helpful guide for candidates, which you’ll find linked below.

LGNZ Candidates Guide 2025 (PDF file, 1.0 MB)

During the nomination period, you can download a nomination form online or pick one up from one of the Council service centres in the Tararua District. We'll load the nomination form here when it's available.

To be eligible for nomination, you must be:
  • A New Zealand citizen
  • Aged 18 years or older
  • Enrolled as a Parliamentary elector
  • Nominated by two people whose names appear on the electoral roll of the area that you are standing in. For example, if standing for election as a South Tararua Ward Councillor, your two nominators must be enrolled with their enrolment address being within the South Tararua Ward.

You will need to pay $200 deposit per nomination.

You can be nominated for more than one position, for example both Mayor and Councillor, but if successfully elected to the Mayoral position must relinquish the Councillor position.

Similarly, if nominated for both Council and Community Board, if successfully elected as a Councillor, must relinquish the Community Board position

These guidelines are intended to provide prospective candidates with information leading up to the election for placement of signs and hoardings.

Electoral Signage Guidelines (PDF file, 13.9 MB)

The Candidate Information Handbook published above contains more detailed advice and guidance for candidates on all aspects of the election (including signage).

Learn more at a Candidate Information Session

There will be two Candidate Information Sessions held in the Tararua District for prospective candidates (that's anyone thinking about running).

Saturday 28 June 2025 - Dannevirke

7:00pm, Dannevirke Council Chambers. Upstairs at 156 High Street, Dannevirke.

This session will be live streamed to Council's YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@LandOfRanges/streams

Monday 21 July 2025 - Pahiatua

3:00pm, Pahiatua Council Chambers, 136 Main Street, Pahiatua