Candidates for Stratford district’s mayoralty, and in the Māori and Urban wards, will be getting their campaigns ready and practising their handshakes, with enough hopefuls standing to trigger elections.

Those looking for a contest in the Rural Ward might find themselves disappointed, with four candidates standing for four seats. But Stratford District Council Chief Executive Sven Hanne says there are still plenty of reasons to enrol and vote, even if people would normally vote in the Rural Ward.

“It’s encouraging to see so many standing for council and for their community. We’re hoping to see some positive and spirited engagement between residents and candidates during the campaign period,” says Sven.

“If you’re in the Rural Ward, you won’t be voting for a candidate this time, but you still get to vote for a mayoral candidate and there’s a referendum alongside the local elections asking if you want to keep or remove our district’s Māori Ward. No matter whether you’re in our Rural, Urban, or Māori Ward, it’s important you enrol and have your say.”

Council nominations closed at noon on Friday, 1 August 2025. Postal voting opens on 9 September and runs until noon on 11 October. If people aren’t already registered to vote, they can still enrol to cast a special vote. The last day to enrol is 10 October.

The district’s confirmed candidates, in alphabetical order by last name, are:

Mayor (1 seat)

1. Jono Erwood
2. Neil Volzke

Māori Ward (1 seat)

1. David Kimball Kinane Chadwick
2. Hemi Haddon
3. Karley Hemopo

Rural Ward (4 seats)

1. Steve Beck
2. Grant Boyde
3. Amanda Kay Harris
4. Katherine Sextus

Urban Ward (6 seats)

1. Jaimie Bertie
2. Josh Best
3. Annette Dudley
4. Jono Erwood
5. Brendon Christopher Gernhoefer
6. Laurie Gooch
7. Ellen Elizabeth Hall
8. Brad Colin Jones
9. Peter McNamara
10. Mike Procter
11. Alan Ross Tolland
12. Mathew Watt

“To everyone standing for council, thank you. Your willingness to step up and help lead your community shows real courage and a strong commitment to our district,” says Sven.

“Council’s next term will see us tackle both challenges and opportunities. These include implementing Local Water Done Well reforms, balancing the services we offer with rising costs, responding to changes from central government, growing the best district in New Zealand, and developing the heart of our town centre. If you’re successful, all of this will be on the cards, and more. Bring it on!”

Quick facts:

• In 2022, 5 people ran for 4 seats in the Rural Ward, 6 people were elected unopposed in the Urban Ward, and the mayoral and Māori Ward candidates were also elected unopposed. Election results are available at Stratford.govt.nz/PreviousElections
• Stratford District Council voted unanimously to introduce a Māori ward in May 2021, in time for the 2022 local government elections. In August 2024, Council resolved to retain the district’s Māori Ward and undertake a binding poll alongside the 2025 local government elections to determine the future of the seat from 2028 onwards.

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