2027 By-Election (South Ward)
A by-election will be held to elect a new councillor for the South Tararua General Ward.
The vacancy follows the passing of Councillor Peter Johns. Under the Local Electoral Act 2001, Council must hold a by-election because the next triennial local election is more than 12 months away.
Key dates
- Nominations open: Tuesday 24 November 2026
- Nominations close: 12 noon, Tuesday 22 December 2026
- Voting opens: Saturday 30 January 2027
- Voting closes: 12 noon, Wednesday 3 March 2027
- Progress result expected: Approximately 1pm, Wednesday 3 March 2027
- Final result expected: Thursday 4 March 2027 (once all votes processed)
Standing as a candidate
Candidate nominations open on Tuesday 24 November 2026.
Nomination forms and information about candidate eligibility and the nomination process will be available:
- on Council’s website
- from Council service centres.
The preliminary electoral roll will also be available for inspection. This allows electors and prospective candidates to check that their enrolment details are correct.
Nominations close at 12 noon on Tuesday 22 December 2026. Nominations received after this time cannot be accepted.
The electoral roll also closes at 12 noon on 22 December 2026.
A public notice listing all validly nominated candidates will be published on Council’s website after nominations close.
Voting in the by-election
Voting opens on Saturday 30 January 2027.
Voting documents will be sent by post to eligible electors in the South Tararua General Ward.
Completed voting documents can be returned using the prepaid envelope provided. Orange voting bins will also be available at Council service centres and selected locations within the ward.
Voting documents must be received by 12 noon on Wednesday 3 March 2027.
Special voting
Special voting facilities will be available during business hours at Council service centres in:
- Woodville
- Pahiatua
- Eketāhuna.
More information about who can cast a special vote and how to do this will be provided before voting opens.
Election results
Voting closes at 12 noon on Wednesday 3 March 2027.
A progress result is expected at approximately 1pm that day. It will include voting documents received at the vote processing centre by the end of processing on the previous day.
The final result is expected on Thursday 4 March 2027 (once all voting documents received on polling day have been processed).
Results will first be shared with candidates and then published on Council’s website.
Why the by-election is being held
The Local Electoral Act 2001 sets the process and timing for filling an extraordinary vacancy.
Section 138A of the Act states that when a vacancy occurs between 14 September and 20 November, polling day must be no earlier than 3 March of the following year.
For electoral purposes, polling day is the final day of voting. The by-election timetable has been developed by Council’s Electoral Officer to meet these legislative requirements.