Voter Information
Put your best foot forward this Election Day
Both residents and non-residents are eligible to enrol to vote in this year’s local election. If you own property in the District - such as a holiday home, second home or business - but live elsewhere, you would be considered a non-resident voter.
Whether you’re enrolling on the General Roll or the Māori Roll, make sure your enrolment is completed by 1 August.
Use the information below to find out how to enrol and ensure you're ready to vote.
In September and October, completed voting papers can either be posted back via mail (with the return envelope that will accompany your voting papers), or dropped off in one of our Orange Voting Bins - please refer to the below map for expected locations:
Voters should enrol by 1 August to appear on the electoral roll and cast an ordinary vote. To enrol for the first time or to change between rolls, please visit the Electoral Commission’s website: Enrol or update online | Vote NZ
If you miss the 1 August deadline, voters can still cast a special vote at the Council office or Manawatū Community Hub Libraries during the voting period.
Voters are either enrolled on the General electoral roll or the Māori electoral roll but not both. You can switch between the rolls at any time up until 3 months before the election - this includes local council elections, national elections and any by-elections in your area.
For this year’s local council election, votes cannot change electoral rolls after 10 July 2025. To change between rolls, please visit the Electoral Commission’s website: Enrol or update online | Vote NZ
If you don't live within the District, but pay rates on a property here (e.g., holiday home, second home or business), you can apply to enrol as a Ratepayer Elector.
To apply to enrol online: Ratepayers Portal | electionz.com
To apply to enrol in hardcopy: Download (PDF file, 161.5 KB)
The hardcopy form is to be returned to Electionz (nrr@electionz.com, or PO Box 3138, Christchurch 8140).
Our local elections use the First Past the Post (FPP) voting system - the candidate with the most votes wins. You can find more information about how FPP works here: Electoral System | Manawatū District Council
Your voting papers will include multiple choices, allowing you to vote for the candidates you support. The positions are outlined below.
- Mayor of the Manawatū District Council
- One of the below three sets of candidates for the Manawatū District Council:
- 5x Feilding ward councillors (if on the General electoral roll and residing within Feilding)
- 5x Rural ward councillors (if on the General electoral roll and residing outside Feilding)
- 1x Māori ward councillor (if on the Māori electoral roll and residing anywhere in the District)
- One of the below two sets of candidates for the Horizons Regional Council:
- 2x Manawatū-Rangitikei regional councillors (if on the General electoral roll)
- 1x Māori regional councillor (if on the Māori electoral roll)
- Poll on whether the Manawatū District Council should retain a Māori ward councillor, for at least the next two elections (2028 and 2031).
- Poll on whether the Horizons Regional Council should retain a Māori ward constituent, for at least the next two elections (2028 and 2031).
The Government passed the Local Government (Electoral Legislation and Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Act 2024, which came into force on 30 July 2024. This Act made several changes to the mechanisms for establishing Māori wards:
- Reintroduced the option for the community to demand a binding poll after the establishment of a Māori ward by a council.
- Requires several councils (including both the Manawatū District Council and Horizons Regional Council) to hold a binding poll at the 2025 elections on whether or not to retain their current Māori wards or constituents.
More information can be found here: About Māori wards and constituencies - Vote 25 | Pōti 25
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.