Steady Voter Returns So Far In Ashburton And Selwyn

Friday, 3 October 2025, 6:13 pm
Article: Jonathan Leask - Local Democracy Reporter

Voting returns are tracking to at least match the last local body elections in Ashburton and Selwyn.

With one week of voting left, Ashburton is on target to reach 50% while the Selwyn is forecast to eclipse the turnout of the last three elections.

The additional four days this election cycle to account for changes to postal services, hasn’t had a major impact.

Postal votes must be in the mail by October 7, so that they reach election headquarters before voting closes at noon on October 11.

Initial progress results are expected to be available from around 2pm. Ashburton’s returns are at 25% this election, as of October 1, in an election featuring a four-way race for the mayoralty.

At the same time in the last election, with four fewer days, the returns were at 24.78% on the way to a 50.62% overall return.

The Western Ward is leading the way with 1,1297 votes (30.77%). The Ashburton Ward, with a potential 14,549 voters has had just 3690 (25.365) returned.

In the Eastern Ward its slower going, due to the two councillors being elected unopposed and only voting for mayor, with only 921 votes (21.87%) returned.

Selwyn’s voter turnout is looking to be up, spurred on by major overhaul of councillors – with seven not seeking re-election, and an eighth in Lydia Gliddon vying only for the mayoralty against three-term incumbent Sam Broughton and newcomer Brad Mannering.

The district had a 44.55% total turnout in 2016, then 41.86% in 2019 and a slight increase to 42.445 in 2022.

As of October 1, Selwyn is at 19.51%, ahead of the last two elections by around 4% (around 2200 votes).

Across the four wards, the Tawera Malvern Ward is leading the way with 27.69% (1,866 votes).

The largest ward, Kā Mānia Rolleston Ward with a potential 19,922 voters, has only had 2975 votes (14.93%).

Te Waihora Ellesmere Ward has had 1,576 (22.74%) and 4,258 (20.15%) in Kā Puna Springs Ward.

ElectionNZ did not have voting return figures for Environment Canterbury because the voting collection is done at the city or district council level.

Elsewhere in Canterbury, Waimate leads the way at 27.89%, followed by Kaikōura 27.14%, Timaru 25.15%, Waimakariri 20.84%, Christchurch City 20.36%, Hurunui 19.78%, and Mackenzie 19.70%.

-LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air

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