Voting for the 2025 Waikato district local elections has officially begun.
From today until Monday 22 September, voting papers will be arriving in letterboxes across the district giving residents the chance to have a say on the future of their communities.
There’s just over a month to make your voice count with voting closing at midday on Saturday, 11 October.
Within each voting pack you’ll be able to elect your mayor, local councillors and community board members in some areas, with most seats across Council and community boards being contested.
You’ll also get to vote in the binding poll on the future of Maaori wards in the district.
This is a community vote to decide whether Maaori wards will continue beyond the 2028 local elections. Maaori wards, like Maaori seats in Parliament, give tangata whenua a dedicated voice within Council.
The choice is simple, you will tick either ‘I vote to keep Maaori wards’ or ‘I vote to remove Maaori wards’, with every registered voter being able to take part.
You can complete your voting pack at home and return them by post using the pre-paid envelope in your pack, no later than 7 October to ensure your vote is counted.
You can also drop them off at a Council office, library, or other ballot box across the country before 12pm on Saturday 11 October.
A full list of voting locations is available on the Council website.
If your voting pack hasn’t arrived by 22 September, you can cast a special vote.
Special votes are for those who haven’t received their packs, have lost or damaged them, are away from home, or have not enrolled yet. Make sure you follow the instructions carefully as a mistake may mean your vote doesn’t count.
You can request a special voting pack at one of our Council offices after 22 September if you haven’t received your pack in the mail.
If you’re planning to be out of the country during the voting period, be sure to contact Election Services on 0800 922 822 for further guidance on how to ensure you’re still able to cast your vote.
Waikato District Council Chief Executive Craig Hobbs says that voting is one of the simplest and most powerful ways to shape your community.
“The people elected to Council make decisions that touch every part of our communities,” says Hobbs.
“Voting is your chance to influence those decisions and make sure your voice is represented.”
For more information on voting, special voting, and where to return your papers, visit our website.
