News

Clock ticking to deadline for candidate nominations

25 July 2025

City

If you are still mulling standing in the October election, you have until noon next Friday to throw your hat in the ring.

But Election Officer Warwick Lampp would prefer you didn’t wait until then.

“Now is the time to take action if you are intending to stand for the mayoralty, a council seat or a community board.

“I strongly advise against leaving it to the last minute. If there is an issue with your nomination you may need time to amend it. We have seen potential candidates miss out in past elections when they ran out of time to correct their paperwork.”

Key dates

Friday 1 August

Nominations close at noon. Electoral roll closes at 5pm.

Tuesday, 9 September     

Voting and special voting begins.

Between Tuesday, 9 September and 22 September

Voting documents delivered.

11 October

Election day. Voting closes at noon. Progress results will be available that afternoon.

By 19 October

Declaration of results.


Nomination forms are available online and from Christchurch City Council Customer Service hubs.

Completed forms and nomination documents should be delivered to the Electoral Office on the ground floor of the Civic Offices, 53 Hereford Street, Christchurch, or emailed to nominations@ccc.govt.nz to arrive before noon on 1 August.

A list of candidates confirmed for the election so far can be found here.

Electoral roll

Mr Lampp notes that Friday, August 1 is also the day the electoral roll closes.

People who are registered to vote on the electoral roll are automatically enrolled to vote in local authority elections on the residential roll and should have received an enrolment update pack in the mail by now.

“If you have not received your pack, then it means that you are not enrolled or the Electoral Commission does not have your current address. You can enrol or update your details by visiting Vote NZ or by phoning 0800 ENROLNOW (0800 36 76 56).

“It is important the Electoral Commission has the right address for you as the local elections are held by postal vote and people need to be enrolled at the right address to receive their voting papers in the mail.”

While the electoral roll closes on 1 August, people can still enrol to vote in the local elections after that date. But if you enrol after 1 August, you will need to cast a special vote. 

Voting papers

Voting papers for the election will be mailed out from Tuesday 9 September. Voting closes at noon on Saturday 11 October.

Completed voting documents can be posted or returned to vote bins that will be located at Council facilities and other locations in the community.

The Christchurch City Council website has a range of information about the election.