Wikipedia

Results of the 2025 New Zealand territorial authority elections in Otago

(Redirected from 2025 Waitaki 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
(Otago)
← 2022
11 October 2025
2028 →
5 of 5 local councils
Party Councils +/–
No majority 5 0
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.
5 mayors and 54 local councillors
Party Seats +/–
Mayors
Independent 5 +1
Local councillors
Independent 50 −4
FD 1 +1
BK 1 +1
Labour 1 0
Green 1 +1
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.

5 territorial authorities are primarily located in the Otago region. 5 mayors and 54 district and city councillors were elected.

Summary

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Waitaki District Council

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2025 Waitaki District Council election
← 2022
11 October 2025
2028 →
Mayoral election
 
Candidate Melanie Tavendale David Wilson
Affiliation Independent Independent
Popular vote 3,811 2,148
Percentage 44.35% 24.99%
 
Candidate Guy Percival Keli Williams
Affiliation Independent Independent
Popular vote 1,775 784
Percentage 20.66% 9.12%
Mayor before election

Gary Kircher
Independent

 Elected mayor

Melanie Tavendale
Independent

Council election
10 seats on the Waitaki District Council
6 seats needed for a majority
Party Seats +/–
Independent 10 0
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.

2025 Waitaki mayoral election

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2025 Waitaki mayoral election[1]
Affiliation Candidate Vote %
Independent Melanie Tavendale 3,811 44.35
Independent David Wilson 2,148 24.99
Independent Guy Percival 1,775 20.66
Independent Keli Williams 784 9.12
Informal 16 0.19
Blank 59 0.69
Turnout 8,593
Registered
Independent gain from Independent

Ahuriri ward

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Ahuriri ward[1]
Affiliation Candidate Vote
Independent Brent Cowles† Unopposed
Registered
Independent hold
† incumbent

Ōamaru ward

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Ōamaru ward[1]
Affiliation Candidate Vote %
Independent Rebecca Ryan† 2,993
Independent Courtney Linwood† 2,934
Independent Jeremy Holding† 2,832
Independent Jim Hopkins† 2,716
Independent Dan Lewis 2,503
Independent Mata'aga Hana Melania Fanene-Taiti† 2,284
Independent Peter De Reus 2,159
Independent Richard Vinbrux 1,639
Independent Mark Townsend 1,606
Independent Sheridan Newson 1,192
Independent Nathan Barnes 1,063
Independent Andy de Boer 1,057
Independent Ferdie Kruger 1,001
Independent Ramon Kirk 520
Independent Teenica Harrex 513
Informal 11
Blank 80
Turnout
Registered
Independent hold
Independent hold
Independent hold
Independent hold
Independent gain from Independent
Independent hold
† incumbent

Waihemo ward

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Waihemo ward[1]
Affiliation Candidate Vote %
Independent Frans Schlack 432 48.21
Independent Gary Dodd 256 28.57
Independent Gervais O'Reilly 153 17.08
Informal 2 0.22
Blank 53 5.92
Turnout 896
Registered
Independent gain from Independent

Corriedale ward

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Corriedale ward[1]
Affiliation Candidate Vote
Independent John McCone† Unopposed
Independent Sven Thelning Unopposed
Registered
Independent hold
Independent gain from Independent
† incumbent

Central Otago District Council

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2025 Central Otago District Council election
← 2022
11 October 2025
2028 →
Turnout9,939 (55.32%)
Mayoral election
 
Candidate Tamah Alley Charlie Sanders Mark Quinn
Affiliation Independent Independent Independent
Popular vote 5,990 2,225 1,542
Percentage 60.29% 22.39% 15.52%
Mayor before election

Tamah Alley
Independent

 Elected mayor

Tamah Alley
Independent

Council election
10 seats on the Central Otago District Council
6 seats needed for a majority
Party Seats +/–
Independent 10 −1
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.

2025 Central Otago mayoral election

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2025 Central Otago mayoral election[2]
Affiliation Candidate Votes %
Independent Tamah Alley 5,990 60.29
Independent Charlie Sanders 2,225 22.39
Independent Mark Quinn 1,542 15.52
Informal 15 0.15
Blank 164 1.65
Turnout 9,936 55.30
Registered 17,968
Independent hold
† incumbent

Cromwell ward

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Cromwell ward[2]
Affiliation Candidate Votes %
Independent Cheryl Laws† 2,050
Independent Sarah Browne† 2,021
Independent Charlie Sanders 1,602
Independent Bob Scott 1,486
Independent Andrew Burns 1,339
Change for Central Stephen Carruth 1,124
Independent Gareth Noble 1,085
Independent Terry Davis 807
Independent Dave George 418
Informal 2
Blank 38
Turnout
Registered
Independent hold
Independent hold
Independent gain from Independent
Independent gain from Independent
† incumbent

Vincent ward

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Vincent ward[2]
Affiliation Candidate Votes %
Independent Tracy Paterson† 2,445
Independent Martin McPherson† 1,889
Independent Nathan McLean 1,826
Independent Dave McKenzie 1,608
Independent Louise van der Voort 1,575
Independent Ian Cooney† 1,491
Independent Jayden Cromb 1,420
Independent Lynley Claridge† 1,335
Independent Gill Booth 870
Change for Central Cam Withington 791
Independent Kas McEntyre 468
Informal 6
Blank 74
Turnout
Registered
Independent hold
Independent hold
Independent gain from Independent
Independent gain from Independent
† incumbent

Maniototo ward

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Maniototo ward[2]
Affiliation Candidate Votes %
Independent Stu Duncan† 580 61.12
Independent Michelle Bisset 361 38.04
Informal 2 0.21
Blank 6 0.63
Turnout 949
Registered
Independent hold
† incumbent

Teviot ward

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Teviot Valley ward[2]
Affiliation Candidate Votes %
Independent Curtis Pannett 698 85.54
Independent Mark Quinn 104 12.75
Informal 1 0.12
Blank 13 1.59
Turnout 816
Registered
Independent gain from Independent

Queenstown-Lakes District Council

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2025 Queenstown-Lakes District Council election
← 2022
11 October 2025
2028 →
Mayoral election
 
Candidate John Glover Glyn Lewers Nik Kiddle
Affiliation Independent Independent Independent
Popular vote 4,599 3,244 2,108
Percentage 35.58% 25.09% 16.31%
 
Candidate Darren Rewi Al Angus
Affiliation Independent Independent
Popular vote 1,671 874
Percentage 12.93% 6.76%
Mayor before election

Glyn Lewers
Independent

 Elected mayor

John Glover
Independent

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

2025 Queenstown-Lakes mayoral election

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2025 Queenstown-Lakes mayoral election[3]
Affiliation Candidate Vote %
Independent John Glover 4,599 35.58
Independent Glyn Lewers† 3,244 25.09
Independent Nik Kiddle 2,108 16.31
Independent Darren Rewi 1,671 12.93
Independent Al Angus 874 6.76
Independent Daniel Shand 125 0.97
Informal 36 0.28
Blank 270 2.09
Turnout 12,927
Registered
Independent gain from Independent
† incumbent

Queenstown-Whakatipu ward

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Queenstown-Whakatipu ward [3]
Affiliation Candidate Vote %
Independent Matt Wong† 2,287
Independent Gavin Bartlett† 2,002
Independent Stephen Brent 1,924
Independent Jon Mitchell 1,689
Independent Craig Ferguson 1,648
Independent Aaron Cowie 1,349
Independent Rene Smith 904
Informal 4
Blank 55
Turnout
Registered
Independent hold
Independent hold
Independent gain from Independent
Independent gain from Independent
† incumbent

Wānaka-Upper Clutha ward

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Wānaka-Upper Clutha ward[3]
Affiliation Candidate Vote %
Independent Nicola King 3,610
Independent Quentin Smith† 3,394
Independent Niki Gladding 2,863
Independent Cody Tucker† 2,039
Independent Craig Gasson 2,005
Independent Yeverley McCarthy 2,005
Independent Lyal Cocks† 1,667
Independent Barry Bruce† 1,241
Independent Thorsk G. Westphal 1,083
Informal 15
Blank 28
Turnout
Registered
Independent gain from Independent
Independent hold
Independent gain from Independent
Independent hold
† incumbent

Arrowtown-Kawarau ward

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Arrowtown-Kawarau ward[3]
Affiliation Candidate Vote %
Independent Heath Copland 1,927
Independent Melissa White† 1,730
Independent Samuel Belk 1,703
Independent Lisa Guy† 1,518
Independent Tim Manning 1,448
Informal 7
Blank 117
Turnout
Registered
Independent gain from Independent
Independent hold
Independent gain from Independent
† incumbent

Dunedin City Council

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2025 Dunedin City Council election
← 2022
11 October 2025
2028 →
Turnout43,295 (45.39%)
 
Candidate Sophie Barker Andrew Simms Lee Vandervis
Affiliation Independent FD Independent
Primary vote 10,382 11,377 7,234
Percentage 23.98% 26.28% 16.71%
Final vote 16,874 15,976 excluded
Percentage 51.37% 48.63%
 
Candidate Jules Radich Marie Laufiso
Affiliation Independent BK
Primary vote 3,485 2,437
Percentage 8.05% 5.63%
Final vote excluded excluded
Mayor before election

Jules Radich
Team Dunedin

 Elected mayor

Sophie Barker
Independent

Council election
14 seats on the Dunedin City Council
8 seats needed for a majority
Party Vote % Seats +/–
Independent 57.22 10 0
FD 23.90 1 +1
Building Kotahitaka 5.94 1 +1
Green 5.11 1 +1
Labour 4.50 1 0
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.

Summary

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2025 Dunedin City Council election[4]
Affiliation Councillors
Primary vote % +/− # +/−
Independent 24,818 57.22 10 0
Future Dunedin 10,364 23.90 +23.90 1 +1
Building Kotahitaka 2,578 5.94 +5.94 1 +1
Green 2,216 5.11 1 +1
Labour 1,950 4.50 1 0
ACT Local 273 0.63 +0.63 0 0
The Radical Action Faction 172 0.40 +0.40 0 0
Informal 579 1.33
Blank 423 0.98
Turnout 43,373
Registered
No majority
Independent gains mayoralty from Team Dunedin

2025 Dunedin mayoral election

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2025 Dunedin mayoral election[4]
Affiliation Candidate Primary vote % Iteration vote Final %
Independent Sophie Barker 10,382 23.98 #15 16,874 51.37
Future Dunedin Andrew Simms 11,377 26.28 #15 15,976 48.63
Independent Lee Vandervis 7,234 16.71 #14 8,739
Independent Jules Radich† 3,485 8.05 #13 4,174
Building Kotahitaka Marie Laufiso 2,437 5.63 #12 4,001
Green Mickey Treadwell 1,967 4.54 #11 2,491
Independent Mandy Mayhem 1,259 2.91 #10 1,480
Independent Benedict Ong 947 2.19 #9 1,248
Independent Carmen Houlahan 758 1.75 #8 1,017
Independent Doug Hall 675 1.56 #7 797
Independent Lync Aronson 657 1.52 #6 739
Independent Lianna MacFarlane 422 0.97 #5 497
Independent David Milne 344 0.79 #4 360
The Radical Action Faction Ruthven Allimrac 296 0.68 #3 314
Independent Pamela Taylor 149 0.34 #2 149
Silly Hat Party Flynn Nisbett 73 0.17 #1 73
Quota 21,231 49.04 #15 16,425 50.00
Informal 106 0.24
Blank 727 1.68
Turnout 43,295 45.39
Registered 95,394
Independent gain from Team Dunedin
† incumbent

At-large

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At-large[4]
Affiliation Candidate Primary Vote % Iteration vote[a]
Future Dunedin Andrew Simms 7,540 17.38 #1 7,549
Independent Lee Vandervis† 6,461 14.90 #1 6,461
Building Kotahitaka Marie Laufiso† 2,410 5.56 #2 2,916
Independent Jules Radich 2,102 4.85 #47 2,785
Independent John Chambers 1,665 3.82 #65 2,770
Labour Steve Walker 1,618 3.73 #69 2,733
Independent Mandy Mayhem† 1,356 3.13 #74 2,664
Independent Cherry Lucas† 1,320 3.04 #76 2,670
Green Mickey Treadwell 1,299 2.99 #76 2,656
Independent Christine Garey† 1,236 2.85 #77 2,658
Independent Russell Lund 1,051 2.42 #81 2,651
Independent Brent Weatherall 941 2.17 #81 2,596
Independent Benedict Ong 891 2.05 #84 2,592
Independent Doug Hall 686 1.58 #87 2,577
Future Dunedin Bruce Ranga 443 1.02 #87 2,372
Independent Andrew Whiley† 691 1.59 #78 1,739
Independent Bill Acklin† 607 1.40 #75 1,563
Independent Carmen Houlahan† 605 1.39 #71 1,438
Independent Lync Aronson 578 1.33 #68 1,270
Future Dunedin Rachel Brazil 562 1.30 #66 1,174
Independent Paul Pope 558 1.29 #64 1,025
Independent Jim O'Malley† 530 1.22 #62 914
Green Lily Warring 468 1.08 #60 876
Green Rose Finnie 449 1.04 #58 813
Future Dunedin Conrad Stedman 417 0.96 #56 781
Independent Richard Knights 415 0.96 #54 726
Future Dunedin Jo Galer 406 0.94 #52 644
Future Dunedin Rebecca Twemlow 346 0.80 #50 613
Labour Jett Groshinski 332 0.77 #48 570
Independent Lianna MacFarlane 322 0.74 #46 537
Independent Sarah Davie-Nitis 296 0.68 #44 509
Independent Kevin Gilbert† 292 0.67 #42 468
Future Dunedin Jarrod Hodson 283 0.65 #40 451
ACT Local Anthony Kenny 273 0.63 #38 429
Independent Heike Cebulla-Elder 243 0.56 #36 402
Future Dunedin Andrew Sutton 236 0.54 #34 311
Independent Paul Williams 227 0.52 #33 305
Independent Tony Bennett 218 0.50 #30 298
Independent Lachlan Akers 207 0.48 #27 281
Independent David Milne 184 0.42 #25 278
The Radical Action Faction Jen Olsen 172 0.40 #22 267
Independent Daniel Rooney 164 0.38 #20 259
Independent Robert Hamlin 162 0.37 #18 234
Independent Hugh O'Neill 160 0.37 #16 231
Independent Sue Todd 155 0.36 #14 210
Future Dunedin Amy Taylor 131 0.30 #13 187
Independent Pamela Taylor 116 0.27 #12 184
Building Kotahitaka Anna Knight 108 0.25 #11 115
Independent Evelyn Robertson 72 0.17 #10 78
Independent Marian Poole 47 0.11 #9 68
Building Kotahitaka Cyndee Elder 60 0.14 #8 67
Independent Marita Johnson 47 0.11 #5 53
Independent Karl Hart 14 0.03 #4 19
Independent Sophie Barker† withdrawn (elected mayor)
Quota 2,813 6.49 #87 2,563
Informal 579 1.33
Blank 423 0.98
Turnout 43,373
Registered
Future Dunedin gain from Independent
Independent hold
Building Kotahitaka gain from Independent[b]
Independent gain from Independent
Independent gain from Independent
Labour hold
Independent hold
Independent hold
Green gain from Independent
Independent hold
Independent gain from Independent
Independent gain from Team Dunedin[b]
Independent gain from Team Dunedin
Independent gain from Team Dunedin
† incumbent

Clutha District Council

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2025 Clutha District Council election
← 2022
11 October 2025
2028 →
Mayoral election
 
Candidate Jock Martin Ken Payne
Affiliation Independent Independent
Popular vote 4,196 2,331
Percentage 63.44% 35.24%
Mayor before election

Bryan Cadogan
Independent

 Elected mayor

Jock Martin
Independent

Council election
9 seats on the Central Otago District Council
5 seats needed for a majority
Party Seats +/–
Independent 9 −3
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.

2025 Clutha mayoral election

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2025 Clutha mayoral election[5]
Affiliation Candidate Vote %
Independent Jock Martin 4,196 63.44
Independent Ken Payne 2,331 35.24
Informal 10 0.15
Blank 77 1.16
Turnout 6,614
Registered
Independent gain from Independent

Balclutha ward

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Balclutha ward[5]
Affiliation Candidate Vote %
Independent Brendon Smith 830
Independent Rachel Harrison 606
Independent Ruth Baldwin 596
Independent Phil Barrett 536
Independent Wayne Felts† 365
Informal 7
Blank 17
Turnout
Registered
Independent gain from Independent
Independent gain from Independent
† incumbent

Bruce-Waihola ward

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Bruce-Waihola ward[5]
Affiliation Candidate Vote %
Independent Dean McCrostie 314
Independent Finch Gaynor 297
Informal 1
Blank 5
Turnout
Registered
Independent win (new ward)

Catlins ward

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Catlins ward[5]
Affiliation Candidate Vote
Independent Dane Catherwood† Unopposed
Registered
Independent hold
† incumbent

Clinton-Clydevale ward

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Clinton-Clydevale ward[5]
Affiliation Candidate Vote %
Independent Simon McAtamney 340 52.15
Independent Therron Tapp 162 24.85
Independent Janetta Thomson 143 21.93
Informal 1 0.15
Blank 6 0.92
Turnout 652
Registered
Independent win (new ward)

Kaitangata-Matau ward

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Kaitangata-Matau ward[5]
Affiliation Candidate Vote
Independent Bruce Graham† Unopposed
Registered
Independent hold
† incumbent

Lawrence-Tuapeka ward

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Lawrence-Tuapeka ward[5]
Affiliation Candidate Vote %
Independent Roger Cotton 609 66.85
Independent Anne Ching 289 31.72
Informal 0 0.00
Blank 13 1.43
Turnout 911
Registered
Independent gain from Independent

Milton ward

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Milton ward[5]
Affiliation Candidate Vote %
Independent Larry Frost 170 23.64
Independent Mark Soper 148 20.58
Independent Ricky Boulton 142 19.75
Independent Chris McDonald 133 18.50
Independent Marie Knowles 93 12.93
Independent John Keen 25 3.48
Informal 7 0.97
Blank 1 0.14
Turnout 719
Registered
Independent win (new ward)

West Otago ward

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West Otago ward[5]
Affiliation Candidate Vote
Independent Michele Kennedy† Unopposed
Registered
Independent hold
† incumbent

See also

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Notes

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  1. ↑ Rounded to nearest whole number
  2. 1 2 Incumbent changed affiliation

References

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  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Morton, Anthony (16 October 2025). "2025 Triennial Elections – Declaration of Result" (PDF). electionz.com. Waitaki District Council. Archived (PDF) from the original on 11 February 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Morton, Anthony (16 October 2025). "2025 Triennial Elections – Declaration of Result" (PDF). electionz.com. Central Otago District Council. Archived (PDF) from the original on 7 February 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Lampp, Warwick (16 October 2025). "2025 Triennial Elections – Declaration of Result" (PDF). electionz.com. Queenstown-Lakes District Council. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 February 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 Morton, Anthony (16 October 2025). "2025 Triennial Elections – Declaration of Result" (PDF). electionz.com. Dunedin City Council. Archived (PDF) from the original on 18 December 2025.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Ofsoske, Dale (17 October 2025). "Declaration of Results of Election" (PDF). Clutha District Council. Archived from the original on 25 February 2026.
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