Whangārei Heads Community Tops District's Voter Turnout

Wednesday, 15 October 2025, 4:37 pm
Article: Susan Botting - Local Democracy Reporter

Passionate Whangārei Heads locals say they’re proud as punch to be topping Whangārei district’s local election voter turnout.

And they’re hoping to equal or better their 58.9% turnout in 2028.

Around 2825 Whangārei Heads General Ward’s 5287 electors had their voting say to achieve the district-leading turnout.

The ward’s 2025 accomplishment tops its 53.4% 2022 local election turnout, Northland's highest.

Whangārei Heads Citizens Association deputy chair Jan Boyes said she was not surprised with the top district turnout.

“It shows democracy is alive and well in Whangārei Heads,” Boyes said.

The ward’s turnout was second-highest in Northland, bettered only by Kaipara’s Wairoa General Ward’s 60.4% turnout.

Parua Bay resident and former Whangārei Deputy Mayor Greg Innes said the district had long been actively involved in local democracy.

Whangārei Heads has five community ratepayer-type groups including at Parua Bay, Ocean Beach, Urquharts Bay and Pataua – among a population of 7,750 people across 27 square kilometres.

“Whangārei Heads people want to have their say on the social, cultural and environmental aspects of the area.

That’s a strong driver,” Innes said.

“I’m really proud of the ward’s top voter turnout achievement.”

Innes has lived in Parua Bay and been voting there for almost 50 years.

He said Whangārei Heads had always been great participation in community democracy.

Innes emphasised the importance of voting.

“It’s incredibly important that local government represents the views of the local community.”

Boyes said people were well-informed and knew how take part in council democratic processes through making submissions on the development of policies and rules such as around freedom camping and local speed limits in their area.

There are currently only 123 votes separating the ward’s top two candidates in a turnout both of its top candidates are praising.

Sunday’s preliminary results show the community’s chosen Parua Bay lawyer Tangiwai Baker (Tuwharetoa, Te Rarawa),who currently has 1369 votes.

But she’s not yet counting her chickens, constantly watching for final election results.

Baker said she was unsure how much the margin might change when special votes are counted.

Parua Bay resident and former Onerahi community police station senior-constable Spence Penney is second-ranked on 1246 votes.

Penney is pragmatic about his situation, as he waits for the final results to seal the deal.

The Parua Bay resident of almost three decades looks forward to the ward equalling or bettering its 2025 voter turnout at the next local elections.

The ward’s leading vote compares with Whangārei’s 40% overall district-wide vote.

Meanwhile, Whangārei District Council's four other general ward results show Mangakahia-Maungatapere on 48.9%, Bream Bay 45.4%, Hikurangi-Coastal 44.8% and Whangārei Urban on 36.8%. Whangārei District Māori Ward’s had a 28.6% turnout.

National voter turnout was 38.01%, based on the provisional results.

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

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