2022 Hawke's Bay Regional Council election

2022 Hawke's Bay Regional Council election

8 October 2022
Turnout	34,137 (39.2%)
Council election
All 11 ward seats on the Hawke's Bay Regional Council
Affiliation Seats Change   Independents 11 0

The 2022 Hawke's Bay Regional Council election was a local election held from 16 September to 8 October in the Hawke's Bay region of New Zealand as part of that year's nation-wide local elections. Voters elected eleven regional councillors for the 2022–2025 term of the Hawke's Bay Regional Council. Postal voting and the first-past-the-post voting system were used.

• 30 June: Electoral Commission enrolment campaign starts.

• First week of July: Enrolment update packs sent by Electoral Commission to electors.

• 12 August: Enrolment closes for the printed electoral roll.

• 16–21 September: Voting documents sent to all enrolled voters by local councils.

• 4 October: Last day to post ballot to ensure delivery.

• 7 October: Last day to enrol to vote.

• 8 October: Election day — The voting documents must be at the council before voting closes at midday/12:00pm.

This election was the first election when the region had Māori constituencies, with two being contested.^[1] Incumbents Will Foley (Central Hawke’s Bay) and Jerf van Beek (Ngaruroro) ran unopposed and thus were re-elected; the same was true of Thompson Hokianga who ran in one of the new Māori constituencies.^[1] Across the election there were 16 candidates for the 7 constituencies.^[1]

The Wairoa race was contested between Di Roadley and Apiata Tapine. As characterised by Bay Buzz, Roadley was a "rural-rooted female Pakeha political novice" and Tapine was a "returning-home Napier councillor and Māori advocate".^[1]

Hastings saw five candidates. With only one incumbent councillor running for re-election, the city was guaranteed two new faces at the council table.^[1] Bay Buzz described two of the candidates, Jock Mackintosh and Steve Gibson, as "clean slates" with regards to environmental issues. Sophe Siers and Xan Harding were said to have "environmental nous", but whether this would hold when tested was yet to be seen. Craig Foss, the incumbent, ran with the slogan "The Right Balance".^[1]

Foss was previously the member of parliament for Tukituki.^[2]

There were five new faces on the council, though incumbents were generally returned in the 2022 elections.^[2] One exception was Hastings councillor Craig Foss who lost to three new candidates.^[3]

Following the election, councillors had to elect a new chairperson. Two contenders were reported to be up for the role: Hinewai Ormsby (representing Napier) and Will Foley (representing Central Hawke's Bay).^[5] The council chose Ormsby, who would be the region's first female Māori chairperson and also the youngest.^[6] Foley was elected deputy chairperson.^[6]