Elections
Results
With all votes now counted, results show incumbent Mayor Craig Rowley has been returned to the district's mayoralty, set to commence a fifth successive term.
This has been an extremely close race for the mayoralty, and Council wants to thank both Sharyn Cain and Rick Stevens for running spirited campaigns.
Mayor Rowley will be joined on the Council table by Sandy McAlwee and Stacey Hall from the Pareora-Otaio-Makikihi Ward, Lisa Small from the Lower Waihao Ward (elected unopposed), Paul Harrison from the Hakataramea-Waihaorunga Ward and Waimate Ward candidates Rick Stevens, John Begg, Peter Paterson and Jakki Guilford.
Congratulations to all those successful in their election, and a huge thank you to everyone that put their hand up to represent the Waimate District.
Where can I vote?
If you have received your voting pack, once you have voted, put your completed voting paper in the return envelope and post it in your nearest New Zealand Post Box or at the voting box at Council reception (125 Queen Street, Waimate) during office hours.
Even though you will have received a return envelope with a DX notation on it, you use New Zealand postal boxes to return your vote. The last day to drop your vote at the NZ postal box is 7 October 2025.
If you call to the post office or a DX postal service, they will inform you to put your envelope into a New Zealand post box.
If you haven't received your voting pack, please ring Council at 03 689 0000 or email liz.rose@waimatedc.govt.nz to speak with the Local Electoral Officer and we will be able to help with a special vote.
You must be enrolled on the electoral roll before voting. If you haven't, you can do so by calling 0800 367 656 or go to www.vote.nz
The last day to enrol is Friday 10 October.
Voting ends 12pm on Saturday 11 October.
Candidate Information
Click below to find all confirmed candidates for the 2025 Local Government Election for the Waimate District Council
Read profiles for each of the candidates standing in the 2025 Local Elections, click the buttow below:
2025 Local Body Elections
The next triennial local body elections will be held in October 2025.
Waimate District Council Election Public Notice
Waimate District Council Election Public Notice - 8 August 2025
Elections will be held for the following positions;
| Mayor | Waimate District |
|---|---|
| 1 councillor | Hakataramea-Waihaorunga Ward |
| 1 councillor | Lower Waihao Ward |
| 2 councillors | Pareora-Otaio-Makikihi Ward |
| 4 councillors | Waimate Ward |
| 2 members | South Canterbury Constituency of the Canterbury Regional Council (ECan) |
Key Dates
| From 24 June | Elections will be advertised and nominations called. |
|---|---|
| 4 July | Nominations open for candidates. |
| 1 August | Nominations close at midday (12pm). |
| 12 August, 7pm to 9pm | Meet the candidates at The Waimate Regent Theatre |
| 9 September | Voter packs mailed to electors. Voting opens. |
| 25 September, 7pm to 9pm (CANCELLED) | Meet the candidates at The Waimate Regent Theatre |
| 11 October | Voting closes at midday. Progress result asap thereafter. |
| By 16 October | Official result released. |
| From 16 October | Official result advertised (as soon as practicable) |
Ratepayers
If you are enrolled as a parliamentary elector you will automatically be placed on council’s electoral roll as a residential elector. If you need to enrol or update existing name or address details on the parliamentary electoral roll, you can do so online at https://vote.nz or by phoning 0800 36 76 56.
If you pay rates on a property within the Waimate District but live outside that area you may be eligible to enrol as a ratepayer elector. A copy of the ratepayer enrolment form can be downloaded here or you can enrol online at https://electionz.com/ratepayers
Ratepayer Roll: Public Notice
Nomination Pack
A candidate handbook for the 2025 election will be prepared and made available on this website by 30 June 2025. Nomination forms will be available by 4 July 2025. Further election related documents or links will be available from this page throughout 2025.
In the meantime, check out these resources created by Local Government New Zealand - Pre-election learning package
Candidate Handbook & Nomination forms
- 2025 Local Elections NZTA guidance letter.pdf
- LGE25 WaimateDC - Candidate Handbook
- LGE25 WaimateDC Nomination Form - Councillor
- LGE25 WaimateDC Nomination Form - Mayor
- Pre-election Report 2025.pdf
- state-highway-control-manual-part-9-consolidated-signs-sections-v3.0-2024 (3).pdf
- Waimate DC Candidate Briefing Presentation 2025-07-09.pdf
- Waimate District Council Consolidated Bylaw 2018 - Chapter 2 - Signage.pdf
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Frequently Asked Questions
If you are interested in standing for Council (either as a councillor or mayor) we've put together some FAQs you might find useful to help you make a decision. There's also some useful information for voters too, check it out below.
Waimate District Council Electoral Contacts
If you require further information, please contact our electoral official below:
Liz Rose (Electoral Official)
Waimate District Council
125 Queen Street, Waimate, 7924
liz.rose@waimatedc.govt.nz
Phone: +64 3 689 0000
