"We’d like to congratulate everyone elected to councils across the country. We also want to acknowledge all candidates who put themselves forward.

“Council decisions affect everyday life, from roads and rubbish to water quality, flood resilience, and community facilities and events.

“It takes courage and commitment to stand for office, and as well as congratulating the winners we recognise those who weren’t successful this time. That includes LGNZ President Sam Broughton, who was not re-elected as Mayor of Selwyn. Sam was elected LGNZ President in 2023 for a three-year term.

On progress voting turnout

“While provisional voting results are still coming through, initial numbers show that voter turnout is down from 2022.

“It is clear that the system needs to change urgently, before the next election. LGNZ has been calling for changes to the postal voting system for years – in July we put forward a suite of recommendations to improve turnout. We are working with the Government and councils to implement these for the 2028 election.”

Progress* voting numbers (as at 11 October 2025):

• National progress results – 32.65%
  • Provincial results: 38.3%
  • Metro results: 28.8%
  • Rural results: 43.6%
• Māori ward referendum
  • Māori wards retained - 17
  • Māori wards disestablished - 25
• Definition of ‘Progress results’: By this stage, not all ordinary votes have been counted yet; voting papers returned to council offices or orange voting bins on Saturday morning will still be in transit to Electoral Officers, so results could change.

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