Wairoa people are having their say, with 36% of local voters returning their voting papers as of yesterday, October 6.

That is nearly 10% ahead of voting returns compared to the same time in the 2022 election.

New Zealand-wide, local government voting numbers so far are also significantly higher than they were in the lead-up to the last elections.

Nationally, figures as of 1 October 2025 - 10 days before election day - showed that 622,936 votes had been returned to date, representing just over 18 percent of eligible votes.

Comparatively, 10 days before the 2022 local elections, 353,005 votes were returned, representing just over 10 percent of eligible votes.

Wairoa’s voting numbers are well above the national average, but have a way to go to reach the last election figures, when Wairoa’s voter turnout ranked in the top 10 in New Zealand, with a final voter turnout of 53.2%, surpassing the national average

Based on the October 6 voter returns, 37.9 per cent of voters are enrolled on the General Ward and 33.8 per cent are enrolled on the Māori Ward.

In a press release, Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) interim chief executive Scott Necklen said almost all councils' voting returns were tracking ahead, particularly rural councils.

"This is encouraging as we know the bulk of voting paper returns - up to 70 percent of the total number for some councils - typically happens in the last seven days before an election.

While Necklen was encouraged by the voter turnout so far, he urged people who hadn't voted yet not to forget to do so.

"We need to keep up the momentum. Council decisions impact all parts of our lives, from roads, rubbish, footpaths and lighting to the supply of freshwater, resource management, community facilities and public spaces. This is your chance to influence those decisions."

Voters have until 7 October to post their voting papers, or they can drop them into a council ballot box by midday Saturday, 11 October. Ballot boxes are available at the Council offices in Queen Street or New World supermarket.

7 October 2025

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