Candidates reminded ‘don’t leave it too late’

People interested in standing as a candidate in October’s local body elections are being reminded to not leave it too late to submit their nomination forms.

Potential candidates need to complete their forms well before the deadline of midday Friday 1 August, to allow time for information to be checked and possible technical issues to be resolved.

For example, one potential trip-up for candidates could be that different nomination forms need to be completed depending on the ward a candidate intends standing in. Each potential candidate must be nominated on the correct nomination paper.

Nomination forms can be found on our Stand as a candidate webpage on the FNDC website. The webpage also provides essential information for potential candidates, including the Candidate information handbook which is a thorough guide of the ‘do’s and don’ts’ of being a candidate.

Anyone standing for local body elections must be a New Zealand citizen, over 18 years old and be on the Parliamentary Electoral Roll. They must also be nominated by two people who are enrolled on the Parliamentary Electoral Roll in the area they intend to stand in.

Roles to be filled in the Far North District Council in the October local elections are:

• Mayor
• Councillors (10)
  • Bay of Islands-Whangaroa General Ward (3)
  • Kaikohe-Hokianga General Ward (1)
  • Te Hiku General Ward (2)
  • Ngā Tai o Tokerau Māori Ward (4)
• Community Board members (19)
  • Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community Board (7)
  • Kaikohe-Hokianga Community Board (6)
  • Te Hiku Community Board (6)

If you are a thinking about standing, please complete and submit your nominations as soon as possible. You can do that online after creating an account in the online portal.

Printed nomination forms are also available during normal business hours from council service centres in Kaikohe, Kaitāia, Kerikeri (Procter Library), Kawakawa, Kāeo, Ōpononi (isite), Paihia Library, and Rāwene (open Thursdays).

A public list of candidates who have completed their nominations is available on Local-Elections-2025 website and is being updated daily.

Communities interested in hosting a ‘meet the candidate’ event can find contact details of candidates who have made their details public from  Wednesday 6 August, when the final list of candidates is expected to be available. If you are hosting an event for all mayoral, councillor or community board candidates please contact elections@fndc.govt.nz to discuss promoting it on our website.

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Main photo - Our staff are on hand at Candidate Information Sessions with lots of helpful information for potential candidates.