Nominate or Stand
Local government only succeeds if people who care for their communities are prepared to serve and stand for office. As an elected member of Council or a community board, you’ll be making a positive difference for people and communities for today and into the future.
Nominations for the Local Body Elections 2025 open 4 July and close 1 August at 12 noon exactly. No nominations are accepted after that time.
Will you stand?
The nomination period for the local elections opens later in the year, but it is never too early to start thinking about standing for Council or a community board.
As an elected member, you'll need to:
- be involved in community engagement with your council
- commit to ensuring all voices are heard
- work to build and protect a culture of inclusion and belonging.
You'll also need to demonstrate your commitment to honouring the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi – The Treaty of Waitangi.
Good governance balances short- and long-term responsibilities. Your role will be to focus on the overall performance of Council, such as how it meets community expectations and aspirations, fulfils statutory obligations and looks after assets.
If you are uncertain about running and want more information about what it's like to be an elected member, read about our job in a nutshell.
Making a nomination
If you want to stand for Council or a community board you will need two voters to nominate you by signing the nomination form. The two voters must:
- live in the ward or community board area you want to stand for
- be enrolled to vote.
Candidate nominations open from 4 July 2025 and close 1 August 2025 at 12 noon.
All nominations needed to be received by Council at noon, 1 August – this deadline can't be extended, as it's set by law.
The nomination process involves:
- Completing an official nomination form and sending it to the Council’s electoral officer. You can request the nomination form at Council’s main office in Paraparaumu, or access it online.
- Nominations from two enrolled voters. Candidates cannot nominate themselves, and people who nominate candidates must be over 18 years old and enrolled to vote in the area the candidate is planning to stand.
- Candidates must consent to their nomination going forward.
- A $200 deposit must be paid, which may be refunded depending on election results.
- Candidates must be New Zealand citizens.