Local Election Voting Starts Today
- Kieran Watkins
- Sep 9
- 1 min read
Voting is officially open for the 2025 local elections as voting packs begin to arrive in mailboxes from today.
Voting packs contain everything needed to vote including information on each candidate.
Only 44% of enrolled voters in the Whakatāne District voted last election. Whakatāne District council Chief Executive Steven Perdia wants to turn that number around.
"This time, with voting delivered to your door and orange voting bins in multiple locations across the district, there's zero excuse not to participate. Of course, for those who prefer, you can still return your vote via an NZ Post box.”
The new orange voting bins can be found at convenient places such as supermarkets, shops, a number of iwi headquarters, and community spots across the region.
"The orange bins are impossible to miss," says Deputy Electoral Officer Chirese Viljoen. "Voting is now part of your daily routine – no special trips, no hassles, just convenience. You can vote while doing your weekly shop at New World, buying kai at at Tāneatua Superette, or studying at a wānanga, amongst a host of other places. Voting has never been this easy or this accessible."
An interactive map of all voting locations can be found here.
Key dates:
Voting packs delivered: 9-22 September
Voting open 9 September to Election Day
Election Day: Saturday, 11 October (voting closes at 12 noon sharp)
