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Local Body Elections

Every three years, elections are held across New Zealand to elect mayors, councillors, community boards and other local body positions. This provides the a chance to make your voice heard and have your say in the future of the Ashburton District.

The next Local Body Elections will be held in 2025. Have you thought about standing for the Ashburton District? If elected, you could play a crucial role in our District’s future through the decisions you help make over the next three years.

Any New Zealand citizen over the age of 18 and enrolled on the parliamentary roll can stand for election and our community needs representatives of all backgrounds and walks of life. Will you answer the call and make a difference in Mid-Canterbury?

Are you enrolled?

If you are enrolled as a parliamentary elector you will automatically be placed on council’s electoral roll.  If you need to enrol or update existing name or address details on the parliamentary electoral roll you can:

  • Visit vote.nz and use your New Zealand driver license, New Zealand passport or RealMe verified identity to enrol online
  • Call free 0800 36 76 56 and ask for a form to be sent to you

If you’d like some help with the enrolment forms and checking your online details, please call into the Ashburton Public Library on Havelock Street where staff are available to assist you.

If you pay rates on property within the council area but live outside that area, you may be eligible to enrol as a ratepayer elector. A copy of the ratepayer enrolment form can be downloaded here​.

Ward boundary map​s

​See the map showing the district's wards, community board and licensing trust area

2022 Local Body Elections

The most recent Local Body Elections were held on 8 October 2022. In the Ashburton District, there was a voter turnout of 50.62% with 11,706 votes returned.

View the full results.

Early the following year, a by-election was held in the Western Ward to fill the seat left by Councillor Rodger Letham, who sadly passed away in December 2022. The final voter turnout was 41.94%, with 1,755 votes returned. Rob Mackle was elected to represent the Western Ward.

View the by-election results.

Resources for Candidates

These resources were prepared for candidates in the 2022 Local Elections.

Pre-election Report

A pre-election report is designed to promote informed discussion in the lead up to the local body elections in October. It outlines the key issues facing the Council and the district over the coming years and explains the Council's current financial position. The report is prepared by the Chief Executive independently of the current Mayor and councillors.

Further Reference

Official Notices

Frequently Asked Questions

Elections are currently held for:

  • One Mayor
  • Five councillors to represent the Ashburton Ward
  • Two councillors to represent the Eastern Ward
  • Two councillors to represent the Western Ward
  • Five members to represent the Methven Community Board
  • Six members to represent the Ashburton Licensing Trust​​
  • Two members to represent the Mid Canterbury Constituency of the Canterbury Regional Council (ECan)

In the 2018-19 Representation Review, the number of councillors in the Ashburton District reduced from 12 to nine and some changes were made to ward boundaries. The Ashburton Ward has been extended and includes the area around Lake Hood. The boundary between the Eastern and Western Wards was shifted closer to State Highway One.

Remuneration

See here for the Elected Member Remuneration 2022-23

More Information

For more information about enrolling and voting, including other language options: