Voting in the Local Body elections is now open — and this is our chance to back candidates who will stand up for our democratic rights. Here is our opportunity to hold accountable councillors who have granted voting rights to unelected appointees and/or supported Māori wards without first seeking a mandate from their communities.
Too often, we are left in the dark about where candidates really stand. To help, we surveyed the nominees. A short questionnaire was sent by email to candidates in constituencies where electoral officers had publicly released their contact information.
We asked candidates to answer five simple questions:
- Do you support equal political rights?
- Do you believe all New Zealanders are equal under the law, with the same rights and duties?
- Do you support appointing unelected individuals with voting rights to council committees?
- Would you support power-sharing arrangements with unelected parties?
- Do you support Māori wards?
Their feedback is available here
The results are not as comprehensive as we’d hoped. Many candidates either couldn’t be reached or chose not to engage.
Now it’s over to you.
- Check your council’s website for candidate profiles.
- Go along to meet-the-candidate meetings and ask questions.
- Phone or email candidates with your questions.
- Offer your support to people who are committed to protecting democratic principles.
(If you’d like the email address of a particular candidate, please contact us at [email protected]. We have a list of the publicly available email addresses.)
A little-known but growing trend is councils granting voting rights to unelected appointees. (In some cases, iwi appointees are in addition to Māori ward representatives.) While 42 councils are holding a referendum on Māori wards this election, there is no such opportunity to challenge the influence of these unelected decision-makers. That’s why your vote is so important - support democracy by choosing candidates who believe only elected representatives should have voting rights. You can read more about this issue below at: Local bodies continue to undermine democracy.
Vote against the tribalising of local government - say NO to Maori wards
Alongside the local election, voters in 42 constituencies will also take part in a binding poll to decide whether their council should retain or scrap Māori wards. Race-based representation carries serious risks: it divides citizens by creating separate political rights and encourages people to define themselves primarily by race. Instead of fostering unity, Māori seats entrench difference and give politicians an incentive to exaggerate or cultivate distinctions for political gain — just as Te Pāti Māori is doing at the national level.
For a list of further reasons to vote against Māori wards, see Democracy Action August newsletter: Māori wards set to be a contentious election issue
Voting closes at noon, 11 October 2025
How to cast your vote
If you are enrolled to vote in your local election, you will receive your voting papers in the mail, which will include the candidate selection and the Maori ward referendum if this is required in your area. Simply fill out your papers and follow the instructions to return them to your council.
Timing:
- Voting papers are sent to enrolled voters, Tuesday 9 September to Monday 22 September 2025.
- Voting opens, Tuesday 9 September and closes (12 noon), Saturday 11 October 2025.
How to return your vote:
- Post your vote - You should post your completed vote using any New Zealand Post box by Tuesday 7 October 2025 to guarantee they will arrive in time to be counted.
- Drop off your vote - there will be several locations in your area where you can drop off your completed voting paper, such as the council building, libraries, and some supermarkets.
If you are not enrolled, you can still vote by casting a ‘special vote.’ Find out from your local council website about how to make a special vote.
Thank you for standing with us. Together, let’s keep our democracy strong.
Please remember to regularly check the Democracy Action Facebook page, where we post news items and commentaries of interest as they come to hand. Additionally, see: ‘Further news, views, commentaries…….’ below for several examples.
Thank you for your continued interest and support. If you have any suggestions you would like to offer, or if you need further information or help, please do not hesitate to contact us at [email protected].
And please help spread the message by sharing our newsletters with anyone who may be interested. You can receive further updates by registering or joining us.
Last but not least, we send our best wishes to you and your loved ones for a happy, healthy, and safe Christmas and holiday season. We look forward to working with you again in the new year.
Kind regards,
Susan Short