8 October 2025
Voting in the 2025 Local Elections closes at 12 midday this Saturday 11 October. Council is urging everyone who hasn’t yet voted to get their papers in before it’s too late.
"Voting is how we shape what comes next for Tairāwhiti It's about choosing the kind of region we want to live in and leave for our tamariki", says Engagement and Maori Partnership Director Anita Reedy-Holthausen.
"Don't wait until Saturday morning - get your papers in now and make it count".
You can drop your voting papers into any of the public ballot boxes around the district before 12 midday Saturday.
Boxes in the city are at Council, The Warehouse, Paper Plus, Elgin Shop N Save and Fresh Choice Kaiti, with others at Te Karaka, Matawai and East Coast locations listed on our website.
“Or come along to the Drive-Through voting event at the Marina car park on Vogel Street this Saturday between 8am and 12pm. Just drive in, hand over your envelope, and you’re done,” says Ms Reedy-Holthausen .
“If you’re enrolled but haven’t received your voting pack, come into Council and the team can issue you a special voting pack. You can do this right up until 12 midday on Saturday.”
If you’re not enrolled, you’ll need to come into Council before Saturday so we can get you enrolled and issue you a special voting pack. If you haven't enrolled prior to voting day then you wont be able to vote, so don't miss out.
Any votes received after 12 midday Saturday will not be counted.
Tairāwhiti voters are electing 1 Mayor, 8 General Ward Councillors, 5 Māori Ward Councillors, and deciding in a binding referendum whether to keep or remove the Tairāwhiti Māori Ward.
“A key difference this year is that everyone gets to vote in the referendum, no matter which roll they’re on,” says Ms Reedy-Holthausen.
“The result will decide representation for the 2028 and 2031 elections. The Māori Ward remains in place for the 2025 - 2028 term.”
“This is our moment to show up for our region,” she says.
“Tō Pōti, Tō Mana, Your Vote, Your Power. Let’s do this, Tairāwhiti.”
More information about voting and the locations of the vote boxes