There are set rules and legislative requirements for election signage. The Candidate handbook contains all the details. It is important that candidates read and understand these expectations.
Stand for Council
Back yourself. Run for Council! Do you want to represent your community? All the information you need to stand as a candidate can be found on this page.
Nominations for candidates in the local elections open on Friday 4 July and close on Friday 1 August. Nomination forms will be available on this page and at Council service centres.
Are you eligible to stand?
To be eligible to stand for election, a candidate must be:
- a New Zealand citizen and
- on the electoral roll (18 years or older) and
- nominated by two people whose names appear on the electoral roll of the area that a candidate is standing for. You don’t need to live in the area that you are standing for.
Nominators
Nominators for candidates for Buller District Council or for Inangahua Community Board can be residents or ratepayers who are on the Electoral Roll in that ward.
Candidate handbook
A candidate handbook with information about everything to do with nominations, campaigning and standing for Council, Community Board or Mayor – is available below for anyone considering standing in the 2025 local elections. Hard copies are also available from Council offices and service centres.
Local Government New Zealand has put together a helpful Candidates' Guide. You can download a free copy here
Pre-election Report 2025
This report is a statutory requirement under the Local Government Act, published by all councils prior to each local authority election. It provides financial information including plans and forecast expenditure for the next three years, along with a review of expenditure in the previous three year.
Elected members receive salaries that vary depending on the size of each council. These salaries are set independently by the Remuneration Authority.
See here for Elected Member Remuneration 2024-25
Return of electoral donations and expenses
All electorate candidates must file a return of their expenses and donations, even if they didn’t have any expenses or donations.
Candidate returns include donations, anonymous donations, and overseas donations, and election expenses for advertising.
For more information about standing for Council, including alternative language options:
Visit: LGNZ
