Voting in local elections

Who can vote in the local elections?

Anyone who is correctly enrolled can vote in the local elections where they live.

Also, voters who own property within a local council area, but who usually live outside this, can apply to go on the ratepayer roll. They will then be able to vote in the area where they pay rates, and the area where they live.

To go on the ratepayer roll, you need to apply to the electoral officer for the local council area in which you own property but do not usually live. The electoral officer will send you out a form to complete, sign and return so they can check your eligibility.

If you are registered on the unpublished roll, you will need to apply to the electoral officer at your local council to receive your voting papers.

Overseas voters can take part, but must ensure that they are correctly enrolled with an overseas postal address in order to receive their voting papers. Voting papers for local elections cannot be downloaded.

Check you are enrolled here

Why your vote matters

Voting gives you a say on the people who will represent you on regional issues around the Council table. The elected representatives are responsible for representing the interests of the residents and ratepayers in the region when making decisions on behalf of their communities. Decisions that will deliver on the Regional Council’s purpose of Te whakapakari tahi i tō tātau taiao | Enhancing our environment together

The regional council is this region’s environmental management authority with a focus on the Hawke’s Bay rohe from Mahanga to Pōrangahau, particularly on protecting our natural environment – the air, land, lakes, rivers, aquifers, and the marine areas – that sustain all of us.

How can I vote?

You can only vote, or be nominated as a candidate, if you are enrolled on the NZ Parliamentary electoral roll.

Check if you need to update your voting papers or enrol to make sure you receive your voting papers.

What can I vote for?

Eligible voters in the Hawke’s Bay region will elect 11 councillors in 7 constituencies, being:

• Māui ki te Raki Māori constituency – 1 councillor
• Māui ki te Tonga Māori constituency – 1 councillor
• Wairoa general constituency – 1 councillor
• Ngaruroro general constituency – 1 councillor
• Ahuriri/Napier general constituency – 3 councillors
• Heretaunga/Hastings general constituency – 3 councillors
• Tamatea/Central Hawke’s Bay general constituency – 1 councillor

Māori rohe pōti
Māori constituencies

For the Regional Council’s Māori constituencies, only those electors on the Māori electoral roll can vote for candidates standing for a Māori constituency. Similarly, only those on the general electoral roll can vote for candidates standing for a general constituency. Check your consituency

When can I vote?

Voting papers for the local elections will be sent by mail to all eligible voters (on the electoral roll) from Tuesday, 9 September 2025.

Voting will start on Tuesday, 9 September 2025 and close at 12 noon on Saturday, 11 October 2025.

If you're returning your voting papers by mail for the 2025 local elections, please ensure they are posted in a NZ Post box before 5pm on Tuesday, 7 October. This will help guarantee they reach the Electoral Officer before voting closes at noon on Saturday, 11 October 2025. You can also drop your completed voting paper into a ballot box at your local council office or library.

General roll or Māori roll?

Māori rohe pōti
Māori wards or constituencies

Māori wards or constituencies guarantee Māori representation on a local authority and provide for Māori participation in council decision-making. The Hawke's Bay Regional Council has voted to retain Māori constituencies. A decision that will result in a binding poll at the next local government elections in 2025. Find out more.

For the Regional Council’s Māori constituencies, the following applies.

• Only those electors on the Māori electoral roll can vote for candidates standing for a Māori constituency. Similarly, only those on the general electoral roll can vote for candidates standing for a general constituency.
• Any eligible person can stand as a candidate for either a Māori constituency or a General constituency – to be eligible, you must be a New Zealand citizen, a parliamentary elector anywhere in New Zealand, and nominated by two electors registered to vote in the area you are standing in.
• A person does not need to be of Māori descent or be on the Māori electoral roll to stand for a Māori constituency.

When can I vote?

Voting papers for the local elections will be sent by mail to all eligible voters (on the electoral roll) from Friday, 16 September 2022.

Voting will start on Friday, 16 September 2022 and close at 12 noon on Saturday, 8 October 2022.

If you are returning your voting paper by mail you must post your voting papers in a NZ Post box before Tuesday, 4 October to reach the Electoral Officer before the close of voting on 8 October 2022.

You can also drop your completed voting paper into a ballot box at your local council office or library.

If you do not receive a voting paper in the mail, or spoil your voting paper, contact the Electoral Officer and ask about casting a special vote.

What is special voting?

Special votes can be made in the voting period under particular circumstances including:

• Your name is not included on the printed roll used for this election or has been wrongly deleted from that roll.
• The address shown alongside your name on the printed roll is out of date and you have been living continuously for one month or more at your new residential address which is in a different ward/Community/constituency.
• You have spoiled, lost or not received your ordinary voting documents.
• You are on the unpublished roll.
• You enrolled as an elector after the printed roll closed.
• You have satisfied the Electoral Officer that it will not be possible or practical for you to vote by casting an ordinary vote without incurring hardship or undue inconvenience.

Special voting will be available at City and District council offices during the voting period 9 September to 12 noon on Saturday 11 October 2025.

You will be able to either pick up your special voting pack from the Council Office, or it can be posted out to you. However, the completed voting papers and statutory declaration must be received by the Electoral Officer in the envelopes supplied before the close of voting.

You can find more information on the Vote Local website.