2025 Local Body Elections


It’s local Council elections year! We’ll be holding “Meet the Candidates” events in August and September!

Contact us if you have suggestions for things that you believe are important for candidates to consider this year, or if you have questions for the candidates, including the Mayoral candidates.

2025 timeline for the Council election

Local elections are held every 3 years - don’t miss the boat!

In Wellington City, residents and other ratepayers have the chance to vote for a Mayor and Council, community boards, and Greater Wellington Regional Council.

Voting is done by postal vote. Voting papers will be posted out on Tuesday 9 September and voting will close at 12noon on Saturday 11 October. Please make sure you can help shape the future of the city you want it to be by checking that you are enrolled, and then by voting when the time comes.

The key dates are:

  • By June 2025: Do you want to stand?

  • June-August 2025: Are you enrolled / get enrolled

  • Friday 4 July 2025: candidate nominations open, roll opens for public inspection

  • Friday 1 August 2025: candidate nominations close at 12 noon, roll closes

  • Tuesday 9 September 2025: voting documents posted out, voting opens

  • Saturday 11 October 2025: voting closes at 12 noon

  • Saturday 11 October 2025: preliminary results available

  • Thursday 16 – Sunday 19 October 2025: declaration of final results



WHO ARE THE CANDIDATES?

Applications don’t close until 1 August.

These are the candidates so far.

Lambton Ward candidates as at 7 July 2025 (alphabetical by surname)

  • Afnan al‑Rubaye - Labour-aligned Former refugee, community advocate

  • Zan Rai Gyaw - recent article

  • David Lee - Independent Regional councillor

  • Teal Mau - Independent Business owner

  • Geordie Rogers - Green - current Councillor

  • Nicola Young - Independent - current Councillor


Mayoral candidates as at 7 July 2025 (alphabetical by surname)

  1. Alex Baker - Independent – Chartered accountant; urban development experience

  2. Graham Bloxham - Independent – Former Wellington LIVE operator

  3. Ray Chung - Independent Together – Current city councillor

  4. Rob Goulden - Independent – Former councillor, ex-police officer

  5. Josh Harford - Silly Hat Party – “Consort” (deputy leader)

  6. Kelvin Hastie - Independent – Conservationist; former mayoral candidate

  7. Andrew Little - Labour – Former Labour Party leader and cabinet minister

  8. Pennywize the Rewilding Clown - Independent – Environmental and whimsical themes

  9. Karl Tiefenbacher - Independent – Businessman; founder of Kaffee Eis