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2025 Elections
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Elections for Otago Regional Council are held every three years at the same time as elections for city and district councils.
The last election was held on Saturday, 8 October 2022. The next 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.
- Check you are enrolled to vote: from now to Friday 1 August 2025
- Think about being a candidate: from now ...
- Candidate nominations open: Friday 4 July 2025
- Candidate nominations close (12 noon): Friday 1 August 2025
- Voting documents posted out, voting opens: Tuesday 9 September 2025
- Voting closes (12 noon): Saturday 11 October 2025
- Progress results available: after 2pm Saturday 11 October 2025
- Preliminary results published: Sunday 12 October 2025
- Final results announced - Official Result Declaration: Thursday 16 October 2025
Are you enrolled?
Want to vote on the future of the Otago region? You need to be enrolled.
Do you want to stand?
Care about here? Stand for Otago.
Ready to vote?
Choose a candidate who represents you.
How does Single Transferable Vote work?
Make sure your vote counts in the local body elections. You do not need to rank all candidates, just those you prefer most.
Information on standing for the Otago Regional Council will be included as part of the following joint presentations throughout Otago. Items to be covered will include how the council is structured, the role and responsibilities of elected representatives, skills required, anticipated time commitments, meeting schedules, and an overview of the nomination and election processes.
| Date | Joint presentation with: | Location and time |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday, 17 June | Waitaki District Council | Ink Box at Oamaru Opera House, Oamaru, 5.30pm. |
| Tuesday, 1 July | Central Otago District Council | Ida Garden Bar and Restaurant, Alexandra, 4pm. |
| Thursday, 3 July | Dunedin City Council | Dunedin Public Art Gallery Auditorium, Dunedin, 6pm. |
| Wednesday, 9 July | Clutha District Council | South Otago Town and Country Club, 6.30pm. |
| Thursday, 17 July | Queenstown Lakes District Council | QLDC Council Chamber, Queenstown, 6pm. |
Candidate Information Presentation — with Waitaki District Council
Considering standing, or just curious about the role and responsibilities of being a councillor? Come along to the joint presentation with Waitaki District Council.
Candidate Information Presentation — with Clutha District Council
Considering standing, or just curious about the role and responsibilities of being a councillor? Come along to the joint presentation with Clutha District Council.
Candidate Information Presentation — with Dunedin City Council
Considering standing, or just curious about the role and responsibilities of being a councillor? Come along to the joint presentation with Dunedin City Council.
Candidate Information Presentation — with Central Otago District Council
Considering standing, or just curious about the role and responsibilities of being a councillor? Come along to the joint presentation with Central Otago District Council.
Candidate Information Presentation — with Queenstown-Lakes District Council
Considering standing, or just curious about the role and responsibilities of being a councillor? Come along to the joint presentation with Queenstown-Lakes District Council.
Use our map below if you're unsure which Otago constituency you reside in (if you're on a mobile device, you can tap on the blue 'Map' button to expand the map).
Enter your address to find which constituency you live in. Note addresses are not saved.
Constituencies in Otago
|
Constituency |
Communities of interest |
|
Moeraki Constituency |
Comprising the Otago portion of the Waitaki District territorial area, being part of the Ahuriri and Corriedale wards, and the entirety of the Oamaru ward and Waihemo ward. |
|
Dunedin Constituency |
Comprising the central Dunedin and the Waikouaiti Coast, West Harbour, Otago Peninsula and Saddle Hill community board areas located within the Dunedin City territorial area. |
|
Dunstan Constituency |
Comprising the Central Otago District and Queenstown Lakes District territorial areas. |
|
Molyneux Constituency |
Comprising the Clutha District territorial area and Mosgiel-Taieri and Strath-Taieri community board areas located within the Dunedin City territorial area. |
The population that each member will represent is as follows:
|
Constituency |
Population
|
Members |
Population per member |
|
Moeraki Constituency |
22,300 |
1 |
22,300 |
|
Dunedin Constituency |
115,200 |
5 |
23,040 |
|
Dunstan Constituency |
78,800 |
4 |
19,700 |
|
Molyneux Constituency |
38,300 |
2 |
19,150 |
|
Total |
254,600 |
12 |
21,217 |
In accordance with section 19V(2), Local Electoral Act 2001 the population that each member represents must be within the range of 21,217 +/- 10% (19,096 – 23,338), unless particular community of interest considerations justify otherwise.
All of the proposed constituencies fall within the stipulated range.
Phone: 0800 474 082
Email: elections@orc.govt.nz
Otago Regional Council's Election Officer
Anthony Morton
Deputy Elections Officer
Di Railton
Notice Of 2025 Triennial Local Authority Elections
Elections will be held by postal vote on Saturday 11 October 2025.
How does Single Transferable Vote work?
Make sure your vote counts in the local body elections. You do not need to rank all candidates, just those you prefer most.
