Candidate nominations for this year’s local body elections have now closed, and campaigning is ramping up. This is the perfect time to ask candidates the important questions — before we vote, we need to know where they stand on key issues.
Democracy Action encourages supporting candidates who uphold core democratic principles and political equality.
We recommend contacting candidates to ask about:
- Whether they support giving unelected people voting rights at the council table
- Their position on co-governance arrangements
- Whether they support Maori wards
If they oppose these measures, consider offering your support — whether by volunteering, spreading the word, or contributing to their campaign.
Most councils have published candidate lists on their websites. For the Auckland City Council, the list can be found HERE.
Voting timeline:
- Voting papers will be sent to enrolled voters between 9–22 September 2025.
- Voting closes at midday, 11 October 2025.
- If posting your vote, ensure it's sent by 7 October. After this date, votes must be returned.
See more details on the Electoral Commission’s website HERE
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