As we get closer to the 2025 local election, the window to represent your community is closing – there’s not much time left to put your name forward.
Nominations are open until midday on Friday 1 August, and we encourage anyone passionate about their community to consider standing. From community board members to ward councillors and the Mayor, elected members play a vital role in shaping the future of the Waikato district. If you are not standing, your vote is just as important – voting opens from 9 September.
At the last local election, only around 32% of eligible voters in our district had their say. Whether it’s the roads you drive on, the water you drink, or the parks your kids play in, local government decisions touch your everyday life – and your vote is your chance to help guide those decisions.
But what does it actually mean to be an elected member?
In the Waikato district, we elect community board members, councillors, and a Mayor. Community board members advocate for local priorities and support projects in their area. Councillors represent larger wards and make decisions that affect the whole district, including how rates are spent and where investment is made. The Mayor leads the Council and is a voice for the district at a regional and national level.
Right now, we don’t yet have enough candidates to fill all our community board positions. This could mean holding costly by-elections after voting closes – something we want to avoid if possible. If you’re passionate about what happens in your neighbourhood and want to make a difference, please consider standing. You don’t need to be a politician – just someone who’s passionate about your community and wants to help shape its future.
Local democracy is about more than services. It is about shared responsibility, community representation, and being part of something bigger than yourself.
So whether you're putting your hand up as a candidate or preparing to cast your vote, I encourage you to get involved and be part of shaping the future of your town, your favourite places and your district.
Ngaa mihi
Craig Hobbs, Chief Executive
