Wikipedia

Results of the 2025 New Zealand territorial authority elections in Manawatū-Whanganui

(Redirected from 2025 Ruapehu District Council election)

Elections for the territorial authorities of New Zealand were held from 9 September until 11 October 2025 as part of that year's nation-wide local elections. 709 local councillors and 66 mayors were elected across 66 of 67 councils.

2025 New Zealand territorial authority elections
(Manawatū-Whanganui)
← 2022
11 October 2025
2028 →
7 of 7 local councils
Party Councils +/–
No majority 7 0
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.
4 mayors and 79 local councillors
Party Seats +/–
Mayors
Independent 3 0
Local councillors
Independent 73 0
Green 3 +1
Labour 1 0
ACT Local 1 +1
Te Pāti Māori 1 0
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.

7 territorial authorities are located within the Manawatū-Whanganui Region. 7 mayors and 79 district and city councillors were elected.

Summary

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Ruapehu District Council

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2025 Ruapehu District Council election
← 2022
11 October 2025
2028 →
Turnout4,302 (51.98%)
Mayoral election
 
Candidate Weston Kirton Grant Lethborg
Affiliation Independent Independent
Primary vote 1,972 950
Percentage 45.84% 22.08%
Final vote 2,453 1,347
Percentage 64.55% 35.45%
 
Candidate Lyn Neeson Fiona Hadley-Chase
Affiliation Independent Independent
Primary vote 939 385
Percentage 21.90% 8.95%
Final vote excluded excluded
Mayor before election

Weston Kirton
Independent

 Elected mayor

Weston Kirton
Independent

Council election
9 seats on the Stratford District Council
5 seats needed for a majority
Party Seats +/–
Independent 9 0
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.

2025 Ruapehu mayoral election

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2025 Ruapehu mayoral election[1]
Affiliation Candidate Primary vote % Iteration vote[a] Final %
Independent Weston Kirton† 1,972 45.84 #3 2,453 64.55
Independent Grant Lethborg 950 22.08 #3 1,347 35.45
Independent Lyn Neeson 938 21.80 #2 1,033
Independent Fiona Hadley-Chase 385 8.95 #1 385
Quota 2,123 49.35 #3 1,900 50.00
Informal 9 0.21
Blank 48 1.12
Turnout 4,302 51.98
Registered 8,277
Independent hold
† incumbent

Ruapehu general ward

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Ruapehu general ward[1]
Affiliation Candidate Primary vote % Iteration vote[a]
Independent Luke Pepper 817 23.70 #1 817
Independent Rabbit Nottage† 482 13.98 #1 482
Independent Robyn Gram† 443 12.85 #2 507
Independent Viv Hoeta† 351 10.18 #10 493
Independent John Chapman 247 7.17 #21 479
Independent Brenda Ralph† 167 4.84 #23 368
Independent Peter Zimmer 147 4.76 #23 368
Independent Rodger Baker 164 4.26 #20 287
Independent Sophie Stockbridge 119 3.74 #12 287
Independent Gary Griffin-Chappel 129 3.45 #9 161
Independent Elise Adams 116 3.37 #7 131
Independent Nicoleen Wessels 73 2.12 #5 100
Independent Rhonda Kingston 40 1.16 #4 49
Independent Elaine Reed 19 0.55 #3 22
Quota 473 13.72 #23 433
Informal 40 1.16
Blank 93 2.7
Turnout 3,447
Registered
Independent gain from Independent
Independent hold
Independent hold
Independent hold
Independent gain from Independent
Independent hold
† incumbent

Ruapehu Māori ward

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Ruapehu Māori ward[1]
Affiliation Candidate Primary vote % Iteration vote[a]
Independent Kuru Ketu 263 30.76 #1 263
Independent Channey Iwikau† 143 16.73 #4 205
Independent Korty Wilson† 161 18.83 #4 203
Independent Fiona Hadley-Chase† 122 14.27 #4 158
Independent Simon Hepi 96 11.23 #3 107
Independent Marilyn Davis 42 4.91 #2 44
Quota 207 24.21 4 199
Informal 12 1.40
Blank 16 1.87
Turnout 855
Registered
Independent gain from Independent
Independent hold
Independent hold
† incumbent

Whanganui District Council

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2025 Whanganui District Council election
← 2022
11 October 2025
2028 →
Turnout17,024 (50.10%)
Mayoral election
 
Candidate Andrew Tripe Josh Chandulal-Mackay Peter Oskam
Affiliation Independent Independent Independent
Popular vote 9,147 5,286 1,895
Percentage 53.73% 31.05% 11.13%
Mayor before election

Andrew Tripe
Independent

 Elected mayor

Andrew Tripe
Independent

Council election
12 seats on the Whanganui District Council
7 seats needed for a majority
Party Seats +/–
Independent 12 0
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.

2025 Whanganui mayoral election

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2025 Whanganui mayoral election[2]
Affiliation Candidate Votes %
Independent Andrew Tripe† 9,147 53.73
Independent Josh Chandulal-Mackay 5,286 31.05
Independent Peter Oskam 1,895 11.13
Independent Gregory McPhee 295 1.73
Informal 24 0.14
Blank 377 2.21
Turnout 17,024 50.10
Registered 33,978
Independent hold
† incumbent

Whanganui general ward

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Whanganui general ward[2]
Affiliation Candidate Votes %
Independent Michael Law† 8,990
Independent Josh Chandulal-Mackay† 8,712
Independent Kate Joblin† 8,617
Independent Rob Vinsen† 8,226
Independent Charlotte Melser† 7,773
Independent Glenda Brown† 7,134
Independent Philippa Baker-Hogan† 6,836
Independent Mike Hos 6,802
Independent Peter Oskam† 6,032
Independent Ross Fallen† 5,868
Independent Rob Oscroft 5,304
Independent Jay Rerekura 5,168
Independent Tracey Jarman 3,896
Independent Jason Bardell 3,853
Independent Scott Phillips 3,767
Independent Tony Sundman 3,227
Independent Green Awhi Haenga 3,053
Independent Azian Z 2,662
Independent Julian Emmett 2,272
Independent Michael Organ 1,915
Independent Robin Westley 1,828
Animal Justice Sandra Kyle 1,823
Independent Gregory McPhee 1,460
Informal 46
Blank 107
Turnout
Registered
Independent hold
Independent hold
Independent hold
Independent hold
Independent hold
Independent hold
Independent hold
Independent gain from Independent
Independent hold
Independent hold
† incumbent

Whanganui Māori ward

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Whanganui Māori ward[2]
Affiliation Candidate Votes %
Independent Julie Herewini 1,122
Independent Geoff Hipango 922
Independent Kiritahi Firmin 638
Independent Hayden Potaka 558
Independent Phil Reweti 403
Informal 0
Blank 21
Turnout
Registered
Independent win (new ward)
Independent win (new ward)

Rangitīkei District Council

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2025 Rangitīkei District Council election
← 2022
11 October 2025
2028 →
Mayoral election
 
Candidate Andy Watson Simon Loudon
Affiliation Independent Independent
Popular vote 2,449 1,730
Percentage 44.93% 31.74%
 
Candidate John Hainsworth David Christison
Affiliation Independent Independent
Popular vote 663 515
Percentage 12.16% 9.45%
Mayor before election

Andy Watson
Independent

 Elected mayor

Andy Watson
Independent

Council election
11 seats on the Rangitīkei District Council
6 seats needed for a majority
Party Seats +/–
Independent 11 0
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.

2025 Rangitīkei mayoral election

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2025 Rangitīkei mayoral election[3]
Affiliation Candidate Vote %
Independent Andy Watson† 2,449 44.93
Independent Simon Loudon 1,730 31.74
Independent John Hainsworth 663 12.16
Independent David Christison 515 9.45
Informal 3 0.05
Blank 91 1.67
Turnout 5,451
Registered
Independent hold
† incumbent

Northern general ward

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Northern general ward[3]
Affiliation Candidate Vote %
Independent Jeff Wong† 904
Independent Diana Baird 432
Independent Peter Kipling-Arthur 397
Informal 0
Blank 16
Turnout
Registered
Independent hold
Independent gain from Independent
† incumbent

Central general ward

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Central general ward[3]
Affiliation Candidate Vote %
Independent Fi Dalgety† 1,866
Independent Dave Wilson† 1,830
Independent John Hainsworth 1,532
Independent Alan Buckendahl 1,526
Independent Sandra Field 1,197
Independent David Christison 896
Independent Bryan Hastings 748
Independent Justin Adams 632
Informal 7
Blank 23
Turnout
Registered
Independent hold
Independent hold
Independent gain from Independent
Independent gain from Independent
Independent gain from Independent
† incumbent

Southern general ward

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Southern general ward[3]
Affiliation Candidate Vote %
Independent Paul Sharland† 600
Independent Graeme O'Fee 494
Independent Graham Jenkins 250
Independent Bryan Rowe 233
Informal 0
Blank 29
Turnout
Registered
Independent hold
Independent gain from Independent
† incumbent

Tiikeitia ki Uta (Inland) Māori ward

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Tiikeitia ki Uta (Inland) Māori ward[3]
Affiliation Candidate Vote
Independent Tracey Hiroa† Unopposed
Registered
Independent hold
† incumbent

Tiikeitia ki Tai (Coastal) Māori ward

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Tiikeitia ki Tai (Coastal) Māori ward[3]
Affiliation Candidate Vote %
Independent Coral Raukawa† 283
Independent David Yates 30
Informal 0
Blank 11
Turnout
Registered
Independent hold
† incumbent

Manawatū District Council

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2025 Manawatū District Council election
← 2022
11 October 2025
2028 →
Mayoral election
 
Candidate Michael Ford
Affiliation Independent
Popular vote Unopposed
Mayor before election

Helen Worboys
Independent

 Elected mayor

Michael Ford
Independent

Council election
11 seats on the Manawatū District Council
6 seats needed for a majority
Party Seats +/–
Independent 9 −1
Independent Green 1 +1
ACT Local 1 +1
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.

2025 Manawatū mayoral election

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2025 Manawatū mayoral election[4]
Affiliation Candidate Vote
Independent Michael Ford Unopposed
Registered
Independent gain from Independent

Manawatū Rural general ward

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Manawatū Rural general ward[4]
Affiliation Candidate Vote %
Independent Shelley Dew-Hopkins 2,829
Independent Alison Short† 2,763
Independent Andrew Quarrie† 2,724
Independent James McKelvie 2,477
Independent Rob Duindam 2,085
Independent Colin McFadzean† 1,765
Independent Kirk Trownson 1,491
Informal 4
Blank 97
Turnout
Registered
Independent gain from Independent
Independent hold
Independent hold
Independent gain from Independent
Independent gain from Independent
† incumbent

Fielding general ward

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Fielding general ward[4][5]
Affiliation Candidate Vote %
Independent Raewyn Loader 2,753
Independent Grant Hadfield† 2,490
Independent Colin Dyer 2,371
Independent Green Sam Hill 2,241
ACT Local Jerry Pickford 2,012
ACT Local Alex McLeod 1,911
Independent Daniel Cox 1,644
Independent Clive Raharuhi 1,383
Independent Tony Wright 1,055
Independent Alistair Hicks 1,036
Informal 8
Blank 52
Turnout
Registered
Independent gain from Independent
Independent hold
Independent gain from Independent
Independent Green gain from Independent
ACT Local gain from Independent
† incumbent

Ngā Tapuae o Mātangi Māori ward

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Ngā Tapuae o Mātangi Māori ward[4]
Affiliation Candidate Vote
Independent Bridget Bell† Unopposed
Registered
Independent gain from Te Pāti Māori[b]
† incumbent

Palmerston North City Council

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2025 Palmerston North City Council election
← 2022
11 October 2025
2028 →
Mayoral election
 
Candidate Grant Smith Orphée Mickalad Caleb Riddick
Affiliation Independent Independent Independent
Primary vote 15,124 5,310 2,427
Percentage 60.35% 21.10% 9.68%
Mayor before election

Grant Smith
Independent

 Elected mayor

Grant Smith
Independent

Council election
15 seats on the Palmerston North City Council
8 seats needed for a majority
Party Seats +/–
Independent 11 +1
Green 2 0
Labour 1 0
Te Pāti Māori 1 +1
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.

2025 Palmerston North mayoral election

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2025 Palmerston North mayoral election[6][7]
Affiliation Candidate Primary vote %
Independent Grant Smith† 15,124 60.35
Independent Orphée Mickalad 5,310 21.19
Independent Caleb Riddick 2,427 9.68
Independent Michael Morris 1,121 4.47
Quota 11,991 47.85
Informal 101 0.40
Blank 977 3.90
Turnout 25,060
Registered
Independent hold on 1st iteration
† incumbent

Te Hirawanui general ward

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Te Hirawanui general ward[6][8]
Affiliation Candidate Primary vote % Iteration vote[a]
Independent William Wood† 3,281 14.17 #1 3,281
Independent Mark Arnott† 1,481 6.40 #2 1,757
Independent Orphée Mickalad† 1,583 6.84 #2 1,716
Independent Karen Naylor† 1,136 4.91 #41 1,613
Independent Rachel Bowen† 1,169 5.05 #44 1,583
Independent Lew Findlay† 1,187 5.13 #48 1,604
Independent Vaughan Dennison† 1,023 4.42 #50 1,572
Green Brent Barrett† 1,196 5.16 #50 1,563
Independent Hayden Fitzgerald 645 2.79 #64 1,800
Labour Lorna Johnson† 1,096 4.73 #65 1,528
Independent Billy Meehan† 604 2.61 #66 1,571
Independent Leonie Hapeta† 578 2.50 #67 1,518
Green Kaydee Zabelin† 895 3.86 #80 1,492
Labour Zulfiqar Butt 837 3.61 #80 1,434
ACT Local Glen Williams 696 3.01 #63 1,201
Independent Jackie Wheeler 631 2.72 #56 1,051
Independent Mark Gunning 525 2.27 #47 795
Independent Caleb Riddick 512 2.21 #45 732
Independent Jeremy Hoskins 475 2.05 #42 584
Independent Verne Wilson 397 1.71 #40 530
Independent Nelson Harper 315 1.36 #38 438
Independent Wajeha Akbaryan 328 1.42 #36 422
Independent Richard Woolgar 226 0.98 #31 297
Independent Eldhose Poovathumveettil Mathew 201 0.87 #30 235
Independent Melanie Butler 150 0.65 #29 228
Independent Kayne Dunlop 183 0.79 #26 219
Independent Dave Salisbury 149 0.64 #22 204
Independent Tobias Nash 132 0.57 #20 175
Independent Cameron Jenkins 130 0.56 #19 141
Independent Dave Poppelwell 110 0.47 #18 134
Independent Quintin McGregor 115 0.50 #16 131
Independent Adrian Phillips 113 0.49 #13 121
Independent Eric Judd 90 0.39 #11 99
Independent Atif Rahim 93 0.40 #10 97
Independent Michael Strachan 90 0.39 #7 95
Independent Jack Koh 78 0.34 #4 84
Independent Zakk Rokkanno 9 0.04 #3 11
Quota 1,604 6.93 #80 1,490
Informal 477 2.06
Blank 222 0.96
Turnout 23,158
Registered
Independent hold on 1st iteration
Independent hold on 2nd iteration
Independent hold on 2nd iteration
Independent hold on 41st iteration
Independent hold on 44th iteration
Independent hold on 48th iteration
Independent hold on 50th iteration
Green hold on 50th iteration
Independent gain from Independent on 64th iteration
Labour hold on 65th iteration
Independent hold on 66th iteration
Independent hold on 67th iteration
Green hold on 80th iteration
† incumbent

Te Pūao Māori ward

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Te Pūao Māori ward[6][9]
Affiliation Candidate Primary vote % Iteration vote[a]
Te Pāti Māori Debi Marshall-Lobb† 1,087 57.15 #1 1,087
Independent Bonnie Kuru 547 28.76 #2 803
Independent Roly Fitzgerald† 209 10.99 #2 209
Quota 614 32.28 #2 592
Informal 27 1.42
Blank 32 1.68
Turnout 1,902
Registered
Te Pāti Māori gain from Rangitāne o Manawatū on 1st iteration[b]
Independent gain from Rangitāne o Manawatū on 2nd iteration
† incumbent

Tararua District Council

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2025 Tararua District Council election
← 2022
11 October 2025
2028 →
Mayoral election
 
Candidate Scott Gilmore Tracey Collis
Affiliation Independent Independent
Popular vote 2,900 2,413
Percentage 40.74% 33.89%
 
Candidate Steve Wallace Michael Spence
Affiliation Independent Independent
Popular vote 1,008 416
Percentage 14.16% 5.84%
Mayor before election

Tracey Collis
Independent

 Elected mayor

Scott Gilmore
Independent

Council election
9 seats on the Tararua District Council
5 seats needed for a majority
Party Seats +/–
Independent 9 0
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.

2025 Tararua mayoral election

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2025 Tararua mayoral election[10]
Affiliation Candidate Vote %
Independent Scott Gilmore 2,900 40.74
Independent Tracey Collis† 2,413 33.89
Independent Steve Wallace 1,008 14.16
Independent Michael Spence 416 5.84
Independent Evan Nattrass 304 4.27
Informal 7 0.09
Blank 70 0.98
Turnout 7,118
Registered
Independent gain from Independent
† incumbent

North Tararua general ward

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North Tararua general ward[10]
Affiliation Candidate Vote %
Independent Steve Wallace† 1,911
Independent Erana Peeti-Webber† 1,796
Independent Sharon Wards† 1,586
Independent Alison Amboy 1,520
Independent James Walker 1,434
Independent Ron Wallace 1,390
Independent Thomas Scott 859
Independent Trev Moore 766
Independent Michael Spence 702
Independent Susan Lyford 662
Independent Dot Watson 321
Informal 3
Blank 23
Turnout
Registered
Independent hold
Independent hold
Independent hold
Independent gain from Independent
† incumbent

South Tararua general ward

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South Tararua general ward[10]
Affiliation Candidate Vote %
Independent Scott Gilmore† (withdrawn) 1,985
Independent Elisabeth Kennedy 1,032
Independent Peter Johns† 986
Independent Peter Naylor 902
Independent Chris Corlett 742
Independent Evan Matthew Nattrass 656
Independent Hamish Blyth 638
Independent Mike Long† 609
Independent Ernie Christison 570
Independent Mark Watson 533
Independent Ethan Hindry 463
Informal 5
Blank 66
Turnout
Registered
Independent gain from Independent
Independent hold
Independent gain from Independent
Independent gain from Independent
† incumbent

Tamaki nui-a-Rua Māori ward

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Tamaki nui-a-Rua Māori ward[10]
Affiliation Candidate Vote %
Independent Keshaan Te Waaka 335 53.09
Independent Naioma Chase† 275 43.58
Informal 0 0.00
Blank 21 3.33%
Turnout 631
Registered
Independent gain from Independent
† incumbent

Horowhenua District Council

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2025 Horowhenua District Council election
← 2022
11 October 2025
2028 →
Turnout12,214 (46.93%)
Mayoral election
 
Candidate Bernie Wanden Justin Tamihana
Affiliation Independent Independent
Popular vote 9,017 2,889
Percentage 73.83% 23.66%
Mayor before election

Bernie Wanden
Independent

 Elected mayor

Bernie Wanden
Independent

Council election
12 seats on the Horowhenua District Council
7 seats needed for a majority
Party Seats +/–
Independent 12 0
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.

2025 Horowhenua mayoral election

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2025 Horowhenua mayoral election[11]
Affiliation Candidate Votes %
Independent Bernie Wanden† 9,017 73.83
Independent Justin Tamihana 2,889 23.66
Informal 5 0.04
Blank 302 2.47
Turnout 12,213 46.93
Registered 26,025
Independent hold
† incumbent

Kere Kere general ward

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Kere Kere general ward[11]
Affiliation Candidate Votes %
Independent David Allan† 989
Independent Nola Fox 745
Independent Justin Tamihana 641
Independent Trevor Chambers 585
Independent Brett Russell 474
Informal 0 0.00
Blank 41
Turnout
Registered
Independent hold
Independent gain from Independent
† incumbent

Miranui general ward

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Miranui general ward[11]
Affiliation Candidate Votes %
Independent Paul Olsen† 568 64.69
Independent Susan Conway 299 34.05
Informal 0 0.00
Blank 11 1.25
Turnout 878
Registered
Independent hold
† incumbent

Levin general ward

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Levin general ward[11]
Affiliation Candidate Votes %
Independent Jo Mason 2,997
Independent Clint Grimstone† 2,574
Independent Alan Young† 2,529
Independent Mike Barker† 2,037
Independent Katrina Mitchell-Kouttab 1,902
Independent Catriona McKay 1,645
Independent Tony Collis 1,640
Independent Keremihana Heke 946
Independent Viv Bold 928
Independent Avril Lang 828
Independent André Thompson 742
Independent Jane Masoe 609
Independent Glen Stevenson 484
Independent Don Campbell 360
Informal 9
Blank 70
Turnout
Registered
Independent gain from Independent
Independent hold
Independent hold
Independent hold
Independent gain from Independent
† incumbent

Waiopehu general ward

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Waiopehu general ward[11]
Affiliation Candidate Votes %
Independent Sam Jennings 1,667
Independent Morgan Gray 1,142
Independent Judy Webby 1,134
Independent Dan Okano 944
Independent Bruce Eccles 905
Independent William Ranginui 210
Informal 2
Blank 76
Turnout
Registered
Independent gain from Independent
Independent gain from Independent

Horowhenua Māori ward

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Horowhenua Māori ward[11]
Affiliation Candidate Votes %
Independent Nina Hori Te Pa† 735
Independent Lani Te Raukura Ketu 581
Independent Kelly Tahiwi 539
Independent Troy O'Carroll 351
Informal 2
Blank 28
Turnout
Registered
Independent hold
Independent gain from Independent
† incumbent

See also

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Notes

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  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Rounded to nearest whole number
  2. 1 2 Incumbent changed affiliation.

References

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  1. 1 2 3 Lampp, Warwick (16 October 2025). "Ruapehu District Council – 2025 Triennial Elections – Declaration of Result" (PDF). ElectioNZ.
  2. 1 2 3 Lampp, Warwick (16 October 2025). "Whanganui District Council – 2025 Triennial Elections – Declaration of Result" (PDF). ElectioNZ.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Rangitīkei District Council: 2025 Triennial Elections Declaration of Result" (PDF). ElectioNZ. 17 October 2025. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 February 2026. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Manawatū District Council: 2025 Triennial Elections Declaration of Result" (PDF). ElectioNZ. 16 October 2025. Archived (PDF) from the original on 21 January 2026. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  5. ↑ "Celebrating our local government successes". Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand. 22 December 2025.
  6. 1 2 3 "LGE2025 - Final" (PDF). Palmerston North City Council. 17 October 2025.
  7. ↑ "LGE2025 - Final" (PDF). Palmerston North City Council. 17 October 2025.
  8. ↑ "Te Hirawanui general ward Iterations" (PDF). Palmerston North City Council. October 2025.
  9. ↑ "Te Pūao Māori ward Iterations" (PDF). Palmerston North City Council. October 2025.
  10. 1 2 3 4 "Tararua District Council: 2025 Triennial Elections Declaration of Result" (PDF). ElectioNZ. 16 October 2025. Archived (PDF) from the original on 22 December 2025. Retrieved 2 February 2026.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Lampp, Warwick (16 October 2025). "Horowhenua District Council – 2025 Triennial Elections – Declaration of Result" (PDF). ElectioNZ.
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