Elections for Otago Regional Council are held every three years at the same time as elections for city and district councils. The upcoming local elections for Otago Regional Council will be held on Saturday, 11 October 2025 by postal vote using the Single Transferable Voting (STV) electoral system.

By voting in your local body elections, you have your say on who will make decisions on Otago's future for the next three years. 

Otago Regional Council is responsible for promoting the economic, social, cultural and environmental wellbeing of the region.

Our work covers all of Otago and our focus is on the environment and natural resources:

• Setting policies and rules to protect Otago’s water, land and air resources
• Monitoring the environment – collecting data and knowledge to inform decision making
• Responding to environmental incidents
• Taking a lead role in pest management
• Taking an active role in minimising risks from natural hazards
• Keeping you safe along our coast and on our lakes and rivers through our Harbourmaster function
• Civil Defence Emergency Management
• Providing public transport in Dunedin and Queenstown (Orbus)
• Providing support to community groups for environmental enhancement
• Taking a lead role in responding to issues that affect Otago, such as climate change, biodiversity loss and urban development