Voting is underway in Waipā, with local council election packs landing in letterboxes between today and September 22.
Packs include a voting paper, return envelope and candidate profiles.
Voting is open until noon on Saturday, October 11. You can drop off your voting papers at Council offices, libraries or at any official orange ballot box.
We have 17 orange ballot boxes stationed around Waipā including at local supermarkets – find the one nearest you at www.waipadc.govt.nz/our-council/elections/how-to-vote. You can also freepost your vote in any NZ Post Box around the country.
Deputy electoral officer Jo Gread encourages people to make a plan to vote early, rather than leaving it to the last minute.
“Remember, there’s no online voting option. Fill out your voting papers, pop them back in the envelope, and keep them somewhere handy, like next to your car keys or dog lead, so you remember to drop them off on your way to work, school, or the shops.”
If you missed the enrolment deadline to receiving voting papers in the post, you can request a special voting pack by visiting our Council officers during our normal hours, phoning us on 08000 924 723 or emailing Waipa.elections@waipadc.govt.nz
If you have not yet enrolled and want to vote, you must update your details with the Electoral Commission by Friday, October 10.
You can come into a council office to both enrol and vote, and mobile enrol-and-vote boxes will be popping up around the district – keep an eye on our social media channels for locations.
Three people are standing for the Waipā Mayoralty in this election. Twenty-seven are in the running for the 11 Council seats, and 22 are standing for the 10 places on Community Boards.
Alongside the 2025 local elections, Waipā is being asked to vote whether to keep or remove the Māori Ward from 2028.
“It doesn’t matter whether you’re on the Māori roll or the General roll – everyone gets to vote in this poll,” Gread says.
The poll question is included on the voting papers. Regardless of the result, the Waipā Māori Ward will remain in place for the 2025-28 term.
