The next triennial local body elections are taking place in 2025.
Nominations open on July 4 and close on August 1. Voting closes at 12 noon on Saturday, October 11.
In the Mackenzie district there will be an election for:
- The Mayor.
- 3 councillors to represent the Opuha Ward.
- 3 councillors to represent the Pukaki Ward.
- 1 councillor to represent the Tekapo Ward.
- 4 members for the Fairlie Community Board.
- 4 members for the Tekapo Community Board.
- 4 members for the Twizel Community Board.
Map of Electoral Wards
| February 2025 | Declaration of Electoral Officer and Deputy Electoral Officer |
|---|---|
| Council chooses order of candidates on voting papers | |
| May 2025 | Public Notice of Ratepayer Roll Qualifications and Procedures |
| Letters out to Ratepayer Roll voters | |
| June 2025 | Enrol to Vote Campaign Starts |
| Voter enrolments and viewing of electoral rolls | |
| July 2025 | Compile Preliminary Electoral Roll |
| First public notice – call for candidates | |
| Candidate Information Pack available to people wanting to stand for election | |
| Pre-election period starts | |
| Candidate Information Events | |
| 4 July 2025 | Candidate nominations open |
| Electoral rolls available for public viewing | |
| August 2025 | Pre-election report released |
| 1 August 2025 | Candidate nominations close / electoral roll closes |
| Second public notice – announcement of candidates | |
| September 2025 | Design and print voting papers and candidate booklets |
| Letter sent to electors on unpublished roll | |
| Advertise special voting arrangements | |
| 18 September 2025 | Voting papers delivered |
| 11 October 2025 | Election Day – Voting closes at noon Provisional results out |
| 17 October 2025 | Final results out Third public notice – election results |
| 20-23 October 2025 | Induction day for new elected members |
| 24 October 2025 | Swearing in ceremony |
| October to December 2025 | Return of Election Expenses from Candidates |
With the next local election happening in 2025 it is time to start checking whether you are enrolled to vote.
Everyone can enrol to vote in the place where they live. This is the Parliamentary Roll of RESIDENTIAL electors). If you are on the Parliamentary Roll, you should update your details if necessary before the election later in 2025. The place to do this is at vote.nz.
Ratepayer roll
People who live somewhere outside the Mackenzie District, but own a house in Mackenzie (and pay rates on it), can also enrol to vote in the Mackenzie electorate. This is known as the Non-resident RATEPAYER Roll.
About 2,500 people own properties in the Mackenzie District on which they pay rates but they live outside the Mackenzie District. In Mackenzie these people are called “ratepayer electors”.
Ratepayer electors can be on the Parliamentary Roll where they live, and also apply to vote in Mackenzie on the non-resident ratepayers roll. They are eligible to vote twice - both where they live and in the Mackenzie district.
Do I qualify to be a ratepayer elector in the Mackenzie district?
If you live in Mackenzie (and are enrolled to vote) you are a RESIDENTIAL elector.
If you live somewhere else but own property in Mackenzie you may be able to enrol as a RATEPAYER elector in Mackenzie.
The rules around who qualifies as a ratepayer elector are complex. You can use the Electionz.com ratepayer portal to find out if you are eligible and register online.
I enrolled and voted last time as a ratepayer elector. Will I automatically receive a voting paper for the Mackenzie district elections this year?
No. The RATEPAYER electoral roll only lasts for three years. You must re-enrol every three years (before the election) if you want to be able to vote in the district in which you own property but do not live.
This is different from the RESIDENTIAL electoral roll where you register once and then just need to keep your details updated.
What happens next?
Everyone who lives outside Mackenzie and who pays rates on properties in the Mackenzie District will receive a letter in early 2025 telling them they need to enrol on the RATEPAYERS roll to be able to vote in the Mackenzie District election in 2025.
If ratepayer electors don’t enrol before the election period, they need to visit a Mackenzie District Council office during the election period to enrol and cast a special vote.
Learn about standing for election in the Mackenzie District. This webinar consists of two parts:
- 0.00 - Deputy Mayor James Leslie speaks about standing for council.
- 11.33 - Deputy electoral officer Arlene Goss outlines the vacancies available and how to lodge a nomination.
To be advised.
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 vote.nz or by phoning 0800 36 76 56.
To be advised.