2025 Hastings District Council election
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Mayoral election | |||||||||
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Council election | |||||||||
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Incumbents before election
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The 2025 Hastings District Council election is an upcoming local election to be held from 9 September to 11 October in the Hastings District of New Zealand as part of that year's nation-wide local elections. Voters will elect the mayor of Hastings and 15 district councillors for the 2025–2028 term of the Hastings District Council. Postal voting and the first-past-the-post voting system will be used.
The council introduced a Māori ward at the 2022 election; its future will be decided in a referendum on the issue, as part of a nation-wide series of referendums.
Key dates
- 4 July 2025: Nominations for candidates will open
- 1 August 2025: Nominations for candidates will close at 12 pm
- 9 September 2025: Voting documents will be posted and voting will open
- 11 October 2025: Voting will close at 12 pm and progress/preliminary results will be published
- 16–19 October 2025: Final results will be declared.[1][2]
Background
Positions up for election
Voters will elect fifteen councillors in six wards, as well as the mayor of Hastings.[1] Voters that live in the rural communities of the district, will also elect members of the Rural Community Board, and six members of a licensing trust will be elected by residents of the suburb of Flaxmere.[3]
Voters across the district will also elect six members of the Hawke's Bay Regional Council.[4]
Cyclone Gabrielle
The wider Hawke's Bay region was devastated by Cyclone Gabrielle in February 2023 and the affects of it were still being felt in the district in 2025.[5]
Pre-election report
Under the Local Government Act 2002, councils must compile a pre-election report to be published and made available to voters. This report details the council's financial position, issues affected the district, and other important factors to consider when voting. The report is prepared by the chief executive of the council, independent of the mayor and councillors.[6]
Campaign
Mayor
Incumbent mayor Sandra Hazlehurst announced in May that she would not seek re-election to a fourth term.[7] By May, councillor Marcus Buddo had announced his candidacy for mayor, and councillor Damon Harvey was considering it.[7]
Buddo is a 30 year old, fourth generation farmer from Poukawa. Buddo emphasized reducing rates, handling the council's growing debt, cyclone recovery, and housing affordability as key issues for him.[5] Buddo says he has degrees in economics, public health, and politics.[5]
Third-term incumbent councillor Wendy Schollum announced her candidacy for mayor, launching her campaign on 24 June at St Andrew's Hall. She would campaign on creating a "smarter" council structure, better housing, and improving the local economy.[8]
Damon Harvey, a third-term incumbent councillor, also announced he would run for mayor; his second attempt. He said a priority was reducing cost to ratepayers. He said he was supported in his bid by Graeme Avery, Malcolm Dixon, Henare O’Keefe, Geraldine Travers, Ann Redstone, Luke Irving and Robyn McLean.[9]
Māori wards referendum
The council had voted unanimously in August 2024 to keep Māori wards in the district. This triggered a referendum to be held alongside the 2025 local elections, per the conditions of legislation passed by the incumbent National government.[10] Mayor Hazlehurst, who is pro-Māori wards, lamented the government's decision to require Māori wards. "We know our community and we should be trusted to make that decision", she said.[10] In 2021, the council asked residents and 76% of responses came back in support of Māori wards.[10]
A group called For Wards Hawke’s Bay formed to support the pro-ward position at the referendums in the wider Hawke's Bay region. The group will hold a meeting on 23 July in Clive chaired by regional council chair Rex Graham, with various speakers including local Presbyterian minister Jill McDonald, Māori ward councillor Heather Te Au-Skipworth, HB Multicultural Society president Rizwaana Latiff and Hayley Whittaker from the Public Service Association.[11]
Hawke's Bay Today asked the mayoral candidates whether they supported the group; Harvey said he supported any group that wanted to get the community engaged on important issues, Schollum said she supported Māori wards, Buddo said he was personally voting no on Māori wards but supported the group existing, Gibson said he didn't support Māori wards because they are undemocratic, and Wilson said he would support whatever the outcome of the referendum was.[12]
Debates and forums
Hastings Grey Power hosted a meet-the-candidates meeting on 7 August in Duart House in Havelock North.[13] It will hold a second event on 5 September at the Baptist Church Hall in Hastings.[13]
The Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce will hold a mayoral forum on 28 August at Hastings Boy's High School in Hastings.[13] All five mayoral candidates have confirmed they are attending.[14]
List of candidates
Incumbents not seeking re-election
- Ana Apatu, incumbent councillor for the Takitimu Māori ward since 2022[15]
- Sandra Hazlehurst, mayor since 2017 and councillor since 2010.[7]
- Tania Kerr, incumbent deputy mayor and councillor since 2008[16][15]
- Malcolm Dixon, councillor since 2013[17]
Mayor
| Candidate[18] | Photo | Affiliation[a] | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marcus Buddo | .jpg)
|
None | Councillor for the Kahurānaki ward since 2022[5][20] | |
| Steve Gibson | Keeping rate rises to inflation (CPI) | Former Manawatū District councillor from 2007 to 2013.[21][8] Also running for councillor in the Hastings-Havelock North general ward.[22] | ||
| Damon Harvey | Accountable to You | Incumbent councillor since 2016,[15] also ran in 2019.[9] | ||
| Wendy Schollum | .png)
|
Proven Leadership - Fresh Thinking | Incumbent councillor since 2017[15][8][23] | |
| Darrin Wilson | None | Local businessman.[24] Also running for councillor in the Hastings-Havelock North general ward.[22] | ||
Council
Takitimu Māori ward
Takitimu Māori ward will return three councillors to the district council.[3]
| Candidate[18] | Photo | Affiliation | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Siiam Daniel | None | [22] | ||
| Sarah Greening | None | Previously ran for council in 2022[22] | ||
| Kellie Jessup | None | Incumbent councillor since 2022[15][22] | ||
| Bevan O’Connor | Independent | Lawyer and owner of VisaMax NZ[22][25][26] | ||
| Heather Te Au-Skipworth | .jpg)
|
None | Incumbent councillor since 2024[15][27][22] | |
Flaxmere general ward
Flaxmere general ward will return one councillor to the district council.[3]
| Candidate[18] | Photo | Affiliation | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Henry Heke | None | Incumbent councillor since 2022[15][22] | ||
| Henare O'Keefe | .jpg)
|
None | Former councillor[22] | |
Hastings/Havelock North general ward
Hastings/Havelock North general ward will return seven councillors to the district council.[3]
| Candidate[18] | Photo | Affiliation | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sayeed Ahmed | None | Previously ran for council in 2022[28] | ||
| John Bennett | None | |||
| Michael Fowler | Independent | Incumbent councillor since 2022[27][15] | ||
| Gareth (Gus) Freeman | Keep rate rises to inflation (cpi) | |||
| Steve Gibson | Keeping rate rises to inflation (CPI) | Former Manawatū District councillor from 2007 to 2013.[21][8] Also running for mayor. | ||
| Bernard Hickey | Independent | |||
| Rizwaana (Riz) Latiff | Independent | Previously ran for council in 2019 and 2022[29][25][30] | ||
| Yvonne Lorkin | Your Eyes, Ears and Energy in Council | [31] | ||
| Lucie-Jane McElwee | Fair rate rises = inflation rate | [25][32] | ||
| Simon J H Nixon | Independent | Incumbent councillor since 2010[15] | ||
| Nick Ratcliffe | .jpg)
|
None | Green Party endorsed.[33][34] Green candidate for Tukituki in the 2023 general election.[35][25][36] | |
| Rion Roben | None | Previously ran for council in 2022[37] | ||
| Callum Ross | Independent | |||
| Jacqueline Supra | None (CARE for Hastings) | [25][38] | ||
| Debbie Ward | Listen. Learn. Advocate. | |||
| Kevin Watkins | .jpg)
|
None | Incumbent councillor since 2001[27][15] | |
| Darrin Wilson | None | Also running for mayor | ||
Heretaunga general ward
Heretaunga general ward will return two councillors to the district council.[3]
| Candidate[18] | Affiliation | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alwyn Corban | None | Incumbent councillor since 2019[27][15] | |
| Hana Montaperto-Hendry | None | Incumbent councillor since 2024[27][15] | |
As the number of candidates did not exceed the number of positions available, Corban and Montaperto-Hendry are elected unopposed.[22]
Kahurānaki general ward
Kahurānaki general ward will return one councillor to the district council.[3]
| Candidate[18] | Affiliation | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elisha Milmine | None | Former Hawke's Bay A&P Society general manager[22] | |
As the only candidate, Milmine is elected as the councillor for the Kahurānaki general ward unopposed.[39]
Mōhaka general ward
Mōhaka general ward will return one councillor to the district council.[3]
| Candidate[18] | Affiliation | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pagen Goldstone | None | Farmer[22] | |
| Derek Nowell-Usticke | None (CARE for Hastings) | [25][40][22] | |
| Kirsty Scott-McLean | None | [22] | |
Withdrawn candidates
- Zack Makoare, was initially listed among the confirmed candidates for the Kahurānaki general ward, but later withdrew his candidacy indicating that his circumstances had changed.[22][39]
Results
Final results are expected to be released by 19 October.
Mayor
| Affiliation | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 mayor, to be determined | ||||
| Informal | ||||
| Blank | ||||
| Turnout | ||||
| Registered | ||||
| Independent incumbent | ||||
Council
Summary
| Ward | Previous | Elected | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohaka | Tania Kerr (Ind.) | to be determined | ||
| Takitimu | Ana Apatu (Ind.) | |||
| Kellie Jessup (Ind.) | ||||
| Heather Te Au-Skipworth (Ind.) | Elisha Milmine (Ind.) | |||
| Kahuranaki | Marcus Buddo (Ind.) | |||
| Heretaunga | Alwyn Corban (Ind.) | Alwyn Corban (Ind.) | ||
| Hana Montaperto-Hendry (Ind.) | Hana Montaperto-Hendry (Ind.) | |||
| Flaxmere | Henry Heke (Ind.) | |||
| Hastings-Havelock North | Malcolm Dixon (Ind.) | |||
| Michael Fowler (Ind.) | ||||
| Damon Harvey (Ind.) | ||||
| Simon Nixon (Ind.) | ||||
| Wendy Schollum (Ind.) | ||||
| Kevin Watkins (Ind.) | ||||
| vacant | ||||
Takitimu Māori ward
| Affiliation | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 councillors, to be determined | ||||
| Informal | ||||
| Blank | ||||
| Turnout | ||||
| Registered | ||||
| Independent incumbent | ||||
| Independent incumbent | ||||
| Independent incumbent | ||||
Flaxmere general ward
| Affiliation | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 councillors, to be determined | ||||
| Informal | ||||
| Blank | ||||
| Turnout | ||||
| Registered | ||||
| Independent incumbent | ||||
| Independent incumbent | ||||
Hastings/Havelock North general ward
| Affiliation | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 councillors, to be determined | ||||
| Informal | ||||
| Blank | ||||
| Turnout | ||||
| Registered | ||||
| Independent incumbent | ||||
| Independent incumbent | ||||
| Independent incumbent | ||||
| Independent incumbent | ||||
| Independent incumbent | ||||
| Independent incumbent | ||||
| Independent incumbent | ||||
Heretaunga general ward
| Affiliation | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| None | Alwyn Corban | unopposed | ||
| None | Hana Montaperto-Hendry | unopposed | ||
| Independent hold | ||||
| Independent hold | ||||
Kahurānaki general ward
| Affiliation | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| None | Elisha Milmine | unopposed | ||
| Independent gain from Independent | ||||
Mōhaka general ward
| Affiliation | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 councillor, to be determined | ||||
| Informal | ||||
| Blank | ||||
| Turnout | ||||
| Registered | ||||
| Independent incumbent | ||||
Referendum
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
 Keep Māori ward
|
to be determined | |
 Abolish Māori ward
|
||
| Turnout |
See also
Notes
- ^ A candidate may leave their affiliation blank, run as an independent, or run with an affiliation to an organisation, local body ticket or political party. Hastings District Council does not allow whānau, hapū, or iwi details to be used for the affiliation.[19]
References
- ^ a b "Local Elections". www.hastingsdc.govt.nz. Hastings District Council. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
- ^ "Local Elections". www.hbrc.govt.nz. Hawke's Bay Regional Council. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Information for voters". www.hastingsdc.govt.nz. Hastings District Council. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
- ^ "Voting in local elections". www.hbrc.govt.nz. Hawke's Bay Regional Council. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
- ^ a b c d Cook, Alexa (22 February 2025). "Hastings farmer announces bid to be elected Hastings mayor". Radio New Zealand.
- ^ "Pre-Election Report" (PDF). Hastings District Council. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ a b c "'Mixed emotions': Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst not seeking re-election". Radio New Zealand. 30 May 2025.
- ^ a b c d Hall, Linda (24 June 2025). "Wendy Schollum joins race to be Hastings mayor". Hawke's Bay Today.
- ^ a b Hall, Linda (18 July 2025). "Local Elections: Hastings mayoral race - fourth candidate for mayor Damon Harvey throws hat in ring". Hawke's Bay Today.
- ^ a b c Hamilton-Irvine, Gary (27 August 2024). "Hastings District Council opts to keep Māori ward triggering referendum at 2025 election". Hawke's Bay Today.
- ^ "Announcements you missed – #39". BayBuzz. 18 July 2025.
- ^ Riddell, Jack (24 July 2025). "Māori wards crucial for fair representation, says Hawke's Bay group". Hawke's Bay Today.
- ^ a b c Hall, Linda (7 August 2025). "Hawke's Bay local elections: Debates, forums, candidate evenings and where to get to know the mayoral and council candidates". Hawke's Bay Today.
- ^ "Hastings Mayoral Forum – Your Business Voice This Election". Hawke's Bay Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved 20 August 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Mayor, Councillors & Boards". www.hastingsdc.govt.nz. Hastings District Council. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
- ^ Hall, Linda (20 May 2025). "'Scary and exciting': Deputy Mayor steps down after long tenure". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 20 May 2025.
- ^ Hall, Linda (22 May 2025). "'Rewarding journey': Long-serving Hastings councillor steps down". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 22 May 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g "2025 Triennial Elections | Hastings District Council". www.electionz.com. electionz.com. Retrieved 9 August 2025.
- ^ "Pukapuka Aratohu Kaitonopōti | Candidate Handbook" (PDF). www.hastingsdc.govt.nz. Hastings District Council. p. 16. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
- ^ Hall, Linda (25 February 2025). "Councillor clashes with mayoral hopeful, makes jibe about European holiday". Radio New Zealand. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
- ^ a b Hall, Linda (11 June 2025). "From motel owner to mayoral candidate: Steve Gibson vows to curb Hastings rate rises". Hawke's Bay Today. The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Hall, Linda (5 August 2025). "Hawke's Bay elections guide: 114 candidates and some fierce competition ahead". Hawke's Bay Today. The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 5 August 2025.
- ^ Hall, Linda (25 June 2025). "'Hastings is at a turning point': Councillor Wendy Schollum goes all-in on mayoralty bid". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 25 June 2025.
- ^ Hall, Linda (22 July 2025). "Prepare for pyrotechnics: Fireworks business owner joins Hastings mayoralty race". Hawke's Bay Today. The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f "Candidates: rumoured, real, departing". Bay Buzz. 20 June 2025. Retrieved 21 June 2025.
- ^ O'Connor, Bevan (19 June 2025). "Rangatahi Lead Māori Enrolment Surge – Time Running Out To Switch Rolls". Scoop.
- ^ a b c d e "Hawke's Bay elections: Two councillors to step down, mayors confirm bids". RNZ. 11 February 2025. Retrieved 15 April 2025.
- ^ Pang, Jie (16 September 2022). "Local Focus: Sayeed Ahmed on Candidate Camera". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
- ^ Pang, Jie (12 September 2022). "Local Focus: Rizwaana Latiff on Candidate Camera". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
- ^ "Rizwaana- Riz Latiff for Hastings Havelock Ward". Facebook. Retrieved 21 June 2025.
- ^ "Yvonne Lorkin Announces Candidacy in HDC Elections". BayBuzz. 31 July 2025. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
- ^ "Lucie-Jane McElwee For Hastings District Council". Facebook. Retrieved 21 June 2025.
- ^ "Nick Ratcliffe - Hastings-Havelock Ward". Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
- ^ "Nick Ratcliffe - Candidate for Hastings - Havelock North General Ward". LinkedIn. Retrieved 16 August 2025.
- ^ "Election 2023: A Hawke's Bay MP in waiting? Act, Greens confirm candidates". Hawke's Bay Today. 21 July 2023.
- ^ "nickratcliffeheretaunga". Instagram. Retrieved 21 June 2025.
- ^ Pang, Jie (20 September 2022). "Local Focus: Rion Roben on Candidate Camera". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
- ^ "Jacqueline (Jaki) Supra". CARE for Hastings. Retrieved 21 June 2025.
- ^ a b Hall, Linda (8 August 2025). "From newcomer to guaranteed councillor, in just five days". Hawke's Bay Today. The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
- ^ "Derek Nowell-Usticke". CARE for Hastings. Retrieved 21 June 2025.
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