Candidate Information
Leaders come from every walk of life
Standing for Council is a significant decision, but if you're passionate about making a difference, it's a powerful way to represent and serve your community.
Nominations will open Friday 04 July and close at midday (12 pm) on Friday 01 August 2025. A Candidate Handbook will be available on this webpage by the end of May. , which will provide specific information about the Manawatū District election. Local Government New Zealand has also published a guide for the 2025 elections:
During the nominations period, you can fill out a nomination form online or pick one up from the Manawatū District Council (135 Manchester Street, Feilding).
To be eligible, you must be:
- A New Zealand citizen
- 18 years or older
- Enrolled
- Nominated by two people whose names appear on the electoral roll of the area that you are standing in. For example, if standing as a Feilding Ward Councillor, your two nominators must be enrolled with their enrolment address being within the Feilding ward.
You will need to pay a $200 deposit per nomination. You can be nominated for both Mayor and Councillor, but if successful for both you must relinquish the Councillor position.
The nomination forms will be available on this webpage from 01 July 2025.
Local Government New Zealand (the representative body for Mayors and Councillors) have released several resources for prospective candidates, including and outline of the role as an Elected Member and what life as an Elected Member might be like. You can find these and other guides here: Course: Pre-election learning package | LGNZ
The 2025 Candidate Handbook will be available here by the end of May and contain more detailed advice and guidance for candidates on all aspects of the election.
Being an elected member is incredibly rewarding but it does come with challenges. That includes being aware of potentially unsafe situations - both online and in person - and how to keep yourself safe. Use LGNZ’s ‘How to Stay Safe’ guide to learn more: Download (PDF file, 174.5 KB)
Signage guidelines help candidates understand what can and can not be posted and advertised during the election. You can view the guidelines here: Download (PDF file, 193.9 KB)
Nominations close at 12pm midday, and further nominations cannot legally be accepted after this time.
Special votes can be completed by voters who are not enrolled before this date.
To be completed by 22 September 2025.
Including special votes for those not enrolled.
Voting closes at 12pm midday, and votes cannot legally be accepted after this time, except for individuals already inside at a voting station.
* Published means that the information will be available on our website, and hardcopies available at both our main Council office and Community Hub libraries. Important information will be publicised via our social media platforms, the Antenno app, and local newspapers.
Each Council has a Deputy Electoral Officer that can be contacted. If you would like to speak to Manawatū District Council directly, please contact,
Ash Garstang (Deputy Electoral Officer)
Email: ash.garstang@mdc.govt.nz
Phone: (06) 323 0000