Aucklanders Urged To Vote As Election Enters Final Week

Tuesday, 7 October 2025, 6:16 pm
Article: Torika Tokalau - Local Democracy Reporter

Aucklanders are being urged to get their voting papers in, with local election voting ending on Saturday. 

Postal votes need to be sent by Tuesday, while voting boxes will be sealed in all locations on Saturday at noon. 

The first progress results are expected at 3pm. 

As of today, 16.4% of votes have been received from the 1,195,533 eligible voters. Howick (Flat Bush), Papakura and Henderson Massey remain the lowest turnout for voters. 

Auckland Council governance and engagement general manager Lou-Ann Ballantyne urged Aucklanders to get their votes in while they still can. 

“Vote now so you don't miss out on choosing who represents you,” Ballantyne said. 

“Those who are elected will be making critical decisions for Tāmaki Makaurau over the next three years - so it's essential that elected members reflect the diversity and voices of Auckland's residents.” 

The early count on Saturday, from the ballots returned from Thursday and Friday, will reflect 80% to 90% of votes. 

“By Saturday afternoon, Aucklanders will have voted to decide who will lead our city for the next three years. 

“Thank you in advance to everyone – candidates and voters who participated. We’re eager to meet and work with our newly elected members.” 

Ballantyne said the early votes will be provisional, pending numbers from votes cast on Saturday morning and special votes. 

The council said some candidates may be neck-and-neck, with only a handful of votes separating them. 

And for those standing in multiple races, early leads could shift dramatically once the final count is in.

“But remember: these results are provisional. Saturday morning’s votes are still being counted and special votes are still to be validated.” 

The local elections, held every three years, elect Auckland’s mayor, 20 councillors, and 149 members of 21 local boards. 

“This election is all about the future of Auckland. From transport and plans to climate action and community services, the people elected in a few days will shape the region’s direction for years to come,” Ballantyne said. 

At midday Saturday, voting boxes across Tāmaki Makaurau will be sealed shut. 

Last-minute ballots will be whisked away to the vote processing centre, where votes are carefully counted. 

Preliminary results will be announced on Monday, October 13 - this will include votes cast on Saturday morning, and account for about 95% to 98% of all votes. 

Official results will be declared on Friday, October 17. 

After that, newly elected leaders officially take office and Auckland’s new governing body will prepare for its first meeting on October 31 at the Auckland Town Hall. 

Newly elected local boards, responsible for governing local board areas, will also hold their inaugural meetings over the next few weeks to swear in members and get straight to work. 

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

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