NZ Local Elections 2025

Southland District Council

Waihōpai Toetoe Ward
The Southland District Council provides local services and facilities, such as public transport, rubbish and recycling, libraries, parks, and recreation facilities. It also makes decisions about building and planning, local regulations, and infrastructure, such as water supply and sewerage. The council is made up of 12 councillors and the mayor. Councillors are elected to represent wards (areas in the district). two councillors will be elected from the Waihōpai Toetoe ward. This is a first past the post (FPP) election, so you vote by ticking the name of your preferred candidate on your ballot paper. Compare the candidates and their policies to decide who to vote for in the Southland District Council election.

Candidates

Policies

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Climate change and resilience

Climate change and resilience

Environment

Environment

Housing and planning

Housing and planning

Jobs and economy

Jobs and economy

Local democracy

Local democracy

Rates and revenue

Rates and revenue

Recreation and culture

Recreation and culture

Transport

Transport

Utilities and services

Utilities and services

Local democracy

Local government is a foundational part of our democracy. But local democracy isn’t just about holding elections every three years – it’s about the day-to-day ways people have their say in the decisions that affect us all.

Local democracy

Local government is a foundational part of our democracy. But local democracy isn’t just about holding elections every three years – it’s about the day-to-day ways people have their say in the decisions that affect us all.

  • Use effective means to get information to the public including print, social media and engagement in the communities and listen to feedback.

    Support ongoing engagement with Māori as Treaty partners and in context of Ngāi Tahu settlement through dialogue and mutual understanding.

    Support the mayor's proposal for the reorganisation of local government in Southland but not one council combining city and rural Southland.

  • Establish better council representation and access in each ward with a focus on community interaction and debate.

    Remove the focus on specific Māori and ethnic representation as this causes division in communities who are already inclusive.

    Review the roles and purpose of council staff and departments with a focus on efficiency and need.

  • Use effective means to get information to the public including print, social media and engagement in the communities and listen to feedback.

    Support ongoing engagement with Māori as Treaty partners and in context of Ngāi Tahu settlement through dialogue and mutual understanding.

    Support the mayor's proposal for the reorganisation of local government in Southland but not one council combining city and rural Southland.

  • Establish better council representation and access in each ward with a focus on community interaction and debate.

    Remove the focus on specific Māori and ethnic representation as this causes division in communities who are already inclusive.

    Review the roles and purpose of council staff and departments with a focus on efficiency and need.

Climate change and resilience

Climate change and resilience

Environment

Environment

Housing and planning

Housing and planning

Jobs and economy

Jobs and economy

Local democracy

Local democracy

Rates and revenue

Rates and revenue

Recreation and culture

Recreation and culture

Transport

Transport

Utilities and services

Utilities and services

Mayor

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Local council

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Regional council

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Local board

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