Aspiring local leaders across Wairarapa are urged to act now, with nominations to stand for council in the 2025 local elections closing at 12 noon sharp on Friday 1 August.

Carterton, Masterton, and South Wairarapa District Councils are encouraging people from all walks of life to put themselves forward to help shape the future of their community.

Nomination forms must be fully completed, with all supporting material, and received by your local Electoral Officer by the deadline, 12pm sharp, Friday 1 August. Late nominations cannot be accepted under any circumstances.

Submitting early is highly recommended to allow time for follow-ups, corrections to profile material or photographs, or to confirm citizenship and enrolment status.

“Standing for council is a rewarding way to serve your community and bring your perspective to local decision-making,” said Warwick Lampp, Electoral Officer.

“If you’ve been thinking about standing, now is the time to act.”

What you need to know

• Nominations close: 12 noon sharp, Friday 1 August.
• How to nominate: Nomination forms and candidate handbooks are available from your Council website or from the Council offices.
• Who can stand: You must be a New Zealand citizen and enrolled as a voter.
• What you need: A completed nomination form, a $200 deposit, a recent photo, and a 150-word profile (in Word or editable format).
• After nominations close, you will also need to arrange a time with Council staff to record your Candidate video.

Candidates are also reminded that:

• nomination profiles must meet specific formatting requirements
• the candidate’s name and mandatory declarations are not counted in the 150-word limit.
• We encourage anyone considering standing to reach out for advice or support and to submit their nomination as early as possible.

Where to get help

Other resources for candidates include:

• Candidate Handbook
• Pre-Election Report
• Nomination form: Mayor
• Nomination form: Councillor

You can download these from each Council’s website.

You can also visit www.vote.nz for general guidance and sign up to the LGNZ Ākona learning programme for more information, and watch Ready Steady Vote! video series from Masterton District Council.

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