If you’re passionate about your community and have ideas for how to make it even better, then now is the time to make your stand in the local government elections.

These elections occur every three years and are your opportunity to represent your community and the district. The next local election will be held on 11 October.

Taupō District Council chief executive Julie Gardyne says standing for local government is a great opportunity to make a difference for the communities you live in and love.

“Our council will be governed by the Mayor and 12 councillors. Councillors are elected to both represent the district and to be a voice for their wards to ensure all our communities are heard.

“Council’s current vision is to be a district of connected communities who thrive and embrace opportunities.

“We are focused on providing opportunities to give our smaller communities a voice in what we do, while also attracting people to invest in our local economy.

“While we don’t know exactly what lies ahead over the next three years, we do know it will be both challenging and rewarding as we focus on doing the essentials well, maintaining our current level of services and community facilities, and balancing our books.

“As a councillor, you’ll be guiding our district through it all, and making sure we’re sustainable for future generations,” says Mrs Gardyne.

The Taupō District Council election will be for the mayor and 12 councillors as follows:

• Mayor at large
• One councillor for the Mangakino-Pouakani ward
• One councillor for the Taupō East Rural ward
• Seven councillors for the Taupō ward
• Two councillors for the Te Papamārerea Māori ward
• One councillor for the Tūrangi-Tongariro ward

Before every election the chief executive provides an independent pre-election report that outlines the important issues and opportunities facing Council and the major projects underway or planned. It also sets out Council’s financial position and seeks to promote public discussion about the issues across the district. The information is drawn from the Long-term Plan 2024- 34, Annual Reports and Annual Plan 2025-26 to create this report. All these documents are available at www.taupo.govt.nz.

Nominations for the Mayor and councillors open on Friday 4 July and must be received no later than 12 noon on Friday 1 August. Candidates need two nominators that are enrolled in the ward for which they are standing. Detailed requirements are set out in the candidate handbook which is available with the nomination forms at taupo.govt.nz/vote25.

Step up. Stand for local government. Maranga ake. Me tū ake, hei kanohi mō te Kaunihera ā rohe.

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