Public Notice of by-election for the Westport Ward

09 Jul 2026

A by-election is required to fill an extraordinary councillor vacancy for the Westport Ward of the Buller District Council.

The vacancy has arisen from the recent resignation of Councillor Colin Reidy.

Nominations

Nominations for the above position open on Thursday 9 July 2026 and must be made on the official nomination form. Copies of the nomination form and a by-election information sheet can be requested from the Buller District Council office, downloaded from Council's by-election page or from the electoral officer (see contact details below).

Completed nomination documents must be received by the electoral officer no later than noon on Thursday 6 August 2026. Each nomination must be accompanied by a deposit of $200 incl GST, payable by EFTPOS, cash or online banking (see nomination form for bank a/c details).

Candidates are encouraged to also submit a candidate profile statement and recent colour photograph. The requirements for the profile statement and photo are set out in the information sheet which is available with the nomination form. All nomination documents must be lodged together. Candidates should refer to the information sheet/candidate guide for further details.

Electoral rolls

Preliminary electoral rolls for the by-election can be inspected at the following locations during opening hours from Thursday 9 July to Thursday 6 August 2026:

  • Buller District Council office, 6-8 Brougham Street, Westport
  • Sue Thomson Casey Memorial Library, 87-89 Palmerston Street, Westport
  • Paparoa National Park Visitor Centre, 4294 Coast Road, Punakaiki

Residential electors may enrol or amend their enrolment details on the electoral roll:

  • Online at www.vote.nz
  • By texting your name and address to 3676 to get a form sent to you
  • By calling 0800 36 76 56 to ask for a form to be sent to you
  • By email request to enquiries@elections.govt.nz

Applications for registration as a ratepayer elector are to be made on the non-resident ratepayer elector enrolment form available wherever copies of the electoral rolls are displayed and must be returned to the Buller District Council electoral officer before 4pm Thursday 6 August 2026.

Online applications for ratepayer elector registration can also be made through the non-resident ratepayer portal: www.electionz.com/ratepayer

Updates to the preliminary electoral roll close at 4pm on Thursday 6 August 2026.

Election Details

If a voting process is required to fill this vacancy, it will be conducted by postal voting using the First Past the Post (FPP) electoral system. Candidate names will be listed in random order on the voting papers.

The voting papers will be mailed out to electors from Monday 14 September 2026 and voting will close at midday on Friday 16 October 2026.

Anthony Morton
Electoral Officer – Buller District Council
PO Box 3138, Christchurch 8140
0800 666 048
vote@electionz.com