Local body election races range from hot to no contest

Friday, 1 August 2025

All voting in the local government elections is done by post.

Parts of the South Island will see a heated race in this year’s local body elections, while some wards will go uncontested after nominations closed at noon on Friday.

Voting papers will be posted out next month for 24 South Island city and district councils and four regional councils (Canterbury, Otago, Southland, and West Coast). Voter enrolments also closed on Friday.

Those nominated include high profile and surprise names, plenty of long-standing local body stalwarts, and the usual batch of perennial candidates.

Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger is being challenged for the mayoralty by councillor Sara Templeton.

In Christchurch, mayor Phil Mauger is being challenged by councillor Sara Templeton, who is not seeking council re-election.

Others vying to wear the city’s mayoral chain include at least three with criminal convictions - white supremacist Philip Arps who has received prison sentences for sharing video footage of the Christchurch terror attacks, and for threatening his ex-wife's partner, Nikora Nitro who was convicted in 2012 for receiving sexual services from a 16-year-old boy in exchange for cigarettes and cash, and cannabis decriminalisation activist Blair Anderson who has a cannabis conviction.

Councillor Jake McLellan, left, Raf Manji, centre, and Tom Roud are among three of the five candidates contesting the central ward for Christchurch City Council.

The city’s other three mayoral candidates are Thomas Healey, and serial campaigners Tubby Hansen and Peter Wakeman.

Christchurch’s central ward will be one of the high-profile contests, with five candidates chasing one spot at the council table. Sitting central ward councillor Jake McLellan will line up against former councillor and parliamentary candidate Raf Manji, community and environmental advocate Hayley Guglietta, plus Tom Roud and Mace Reed.

Philip Arps, centre, at a protest in Christchurch. Arps is standing for the Christchurch mayoralty.

In three wards, Harewood, Waimairi and Hornby, existing candidates Aaron Keown, Sam MacDonald and Mark Peters respectively will be re-elected unopposed.

There are 34 nominations for 16 spots on the Christchurch City Council, one for each ward. All sitting councillors are seeking re-election, except for Templeton and James Gough who announced on Wednesday he would step down. Two independent candidates, David Cartwright (Independent Citizens) and Diane Ellis (Independent) will contest Gough’s Fendalton seat.

Former councillor and radio host James Daniels had intended to run for council but pulled out of the race this week, citing his personal circumstances.

Environment Canterbury (ECan) received 35 nominations for 14 council table positions. Chairman Craig Pauling announced early on Friday he is not seeking re-election, saying he has projects to focus on and will also consider running for next year’s parliamentary elections after being approached.

Hurunui mayor Marie Black will be returned unopposed.

In Selwyn district, current mayor Sam Broughton is standing again, and will be challenged by sitting councillor Lydia Gliddon (Independent), and Brad Mannering.

Selwyn has received 37 nominations for 15 council spots.

Waimakariri mayor Dan Gordon is being challenged by sitting councillor Paul Williams, who is also seeking a council position. The district received 24 nominations for its 10 council seats.

Nelson mayor Nick Smith said campaigners should 'take a bow' for successfully reversing a Government decision.

Timaru Mayor Nigel Bowen is being challenged by Stu Piddington and Peter Bennett. With Ashburton Mayor Neil Brown standing down after 21 years on council, there are four contenders for the mayoralty.

Hurunui mayor Marie Black will be returned unopposed. There are four mayoral candidates in Mackenzie district, including acting mayor Karen Morgan, after mayor Ann Munro opted to step down after a period of leave.

Invercargill mayor Nobby Clark will stand down.

Queenstown Lakes’ mayor Glyn Lewers faces five challengers.

Dunedin mayor Jules Radich, who is standing again after leaving his nomination until the last moment on Friday, will be challenged by 15 other contenders. There are 50 candidates for 14 council spots in Dunedin.

In Nelson city, mayor Nick Smith will be challenged by two candidates including sitting councillor Aaron Stallard. Marlborough mayor Nadine Taylor has two challengers, and Tasman’s Tim King has four.

Perennial candidate Richmond Osmaston of the Money Free Party New Zealand party, who has been unsuccessfully running for mayoral and district council seats for 15 years, is this year standing to be mayor of Buller, Grey, Westland and Tasman district councils, and Nelson City Council.

Mayor Nobby Clark is standing down in Invercargill. His younger brother Andrew Clark was a late surprise nomination as his replacement and is also standing as Tasman mayor for the fifth time.

Four current Invercargill councillors - Tom Campbell, Ria Bond, Ian Pottinger and Alex Crackett - are among the eight contenders for the mayoral job.