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Stand for Council

Make a difference for the future of Te Matau-a-Māui Hawke’s Bay. Are you passionate about our environment, water, land, and people? Do you want to be part of shaping a thriving, resilient future for our region? Then consider standing for election to Hawke’s Bay Regional Council in the 2025 local government elections.

How to stand for council

Please note that candidate information documents for 2025 will be uploaded as they become available.

Who can stand?

We encourage nominations from diverse voices, including young people, mana whenua, and people from all backgrounds. You can stand for Regional Council if you meet the following requirements. You must be a New Zealand citizen, enrolled as a voter and nominated by 2 people enrolled to vote in the constituency you want to run in.

HBRC nz citizen

A New Zealand citizen

HBRC enrolled to vote

Enrolled as a voter

HBRC 2 person nominated

Nominated by 2 people

What does the Regional Council do?

We lead work that protects and enhances our natural environment – from managing freshwater and coastal ecosystems to flood protection, biodiversity, land management, transport planning, and climate resilience. Our decisions today affect generations to come.

As a councillor, you’ll help guide regional strategies, make decisions about key services, and advocate for your community’s voice at the table.

How does Council work?

HBRC Three Year Plan 2024 2027

A useful document to read would be our Three-Year Plan 2024-27 that sets out the work we deliver and how we fund it.  

As a councillor, you will attend public meetings and workshops with staff and may also attend meetings for regional or national local government organisations.

How we can help

You can find detailed information on the Local Electoral Act 2001 here.

For more information about standing for council  email HBRC’s Deputy Electoral Officer Leeanne Hooper. Leeanne is happy to meet with you informally to chat about the role of councillor and answer any questions you may have.

Election timeline

Consider being a candidate

Until Friday 4 July, 2025

Candidate nominations open

Friday 4 July, 2025

Candidate nominations close

12 noon
Friday 1 August, 2025

Candidates announced

Wednesday 6 August, 2025

Final electoral roll certified by Electoral Officer

Friday 5 September, 2025

Voting opens

Tuesday 9 September, 2025

Voting papers sent to enrolled voters

9-22 September, 2025

Voting closes

Election day
12 noon Saturday 11 October, 2025

Progress and preliminary results published

Saturday 11 October, 2025
As soon as possible after voting closes

Final results announced

Thursday 16 October, 2025

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Contact us

info@hbrc.govt.nz

+64 6 835 9200


159 Dalton Street. Napier 4110

Private Bag 6006, Napier 4142


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New Zealand Government.

Disclaimers and Copyright
While every endeavour has been taken by the Hawke's Bay Regional Council to ensure that the information on this website is accurate and up to date, Hawke's Bay Regional Council shall not be liable for any loss suffered through the use, directly or indirectly, of information on this website. Information contained has been assembled in good faith. Some of the information available in this site is from the New Zealand Public domain and supplied by relevant government agencies. Hawke's Bay Regional Council cannot accept any liability for its accuracy or content. Portions of the information and material on this site, including data, pages, documents, online graphics and images are protected by copyright, unless specifically notified to the contrary. Externally sourced information or material is copyright to the respective provider.

© Hawke's Bay Regional Council - www.hbrc.govt.nz / +64 6 835 9200 / info@hbrc.govt.nz