How to become a candidate

Who can be a candidate

To be a candidate for an elected member position, you must be:

A New Zealand citizen
Over 18 years old
Enrolled on the electoral roll

You don’t need any special qualifications. Elected members come from all backgrounds and walks of life.

To be effective you will need to bring a broad range of skills to the role:

Decision-making and strategic thinking
Communication and community engagement
Relationship building and collaboration

How to become a candidate

Nominations will open on 4 July 2025, but you can start preparing now:

Complete a nomination form before 12noon on Friday 1 August 2025
Get two people to nominate you – they must be over 18 and enrolled to vote in the area you wish to be a candidate for
Pay a nomination deposit of $200 – you may get a refund, depending on how many votes you receive
Learn about how the council works and your roles and responsibilities if you get elected

What candidates need to do

You should:

Find out what is important to your local community
Learn about South Taranaki’s local government structure and the role of councillors, and local board members

See What’s involved in being an elected member for further information.

You can also attend a Council or community board meeting. See when they’re happening here.

How many positions you can be elected for

You can be a candidate for:

mayor
a ward councillor
a community board member

If you are elected to more than one position, you will take the highest ranked position.

You can not be a candidate for more than one ward.

You can be a candidate for more than one community board but you can only be elected to one. If you are a candidate for more than one local board, you will need to state which one is your priority if you get elected to more than one.

Getting votes

Lack of knowledge about the candidates and their views is consistently reported as one of the main reasons people don’t vote in local elections.

To run a successful campaign, you need to let local residents know the key issues you stand for within the community.

Tips for connected with people and getting more votes

Use social media channels like Facebook and twitter for wider reach
Door knock, address public meetings and talk to the public at weekend markets or in town.
Look for interview opportunities on the radio, local newspapers, or magazines
Advertise your views in newspapers or on billboards