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Local Body Elections

Every three years, elections are held across New Zealand to elect mayors, councillors, community boards and other local body positions. This provides the a chance to make your voice heard and have your say in the future of the Ashburton District.

The next Local Body Elections will be held in 2025, with voting taking place between 9 September - 11 October. Have you thought about standing for the Ashburton District? If elected, you could play a crucial role in our District’s future through the decisions you help make over the next three years.

Any New Zealand citizen over the age of 18 and enrolled on the parliamentary roll can stand for election and our community needs representatives of all backgrounds and walks of life. Will you answer the call and make a difference in Mid-Canterbury?

Are you enrolled?

If you are already enrolled as a parliamentary elector you will automatically be placed on council’s electoral roll.  If you need to enrol or update your name or address details, you can:

  • Visit vote.nz and use your New Zealand driver license, New Zealand passport or RealMe verified identity to enrol online
  • Call free 0800 36 76 56 and ask for a form to be sent to you

If you’d like some help with the enrolment forms and checking your online details, please call into the Ashburton Public Library on Havelock Street where staff are available to assist you.

If you pay rates on property within the council area but live outside that area, you may be eligible to enrol as a ratepayer elector. A copy of the ratepayer enrolment form can be downloaded here​.

Ward boundary map​s

Not sure what ward you are in? ​See the map showing the district's wards, community board and licensing trust area

More Information

Elections are currently held for:

  • One Mayor
  • Five councillors to represent the Ashburton Ward
  • Two councillors to represent the Eastern Ward
  • Two councillors to represent the Western Ward
  • Five members to represent the Methven Community Board
  • Six members to represent the Ashburton Licensing Trust​​
  • Two members to represent the Mid Canterbury Constituency of the Canterbury Regional Council (ECan)

During the 2023/2024 Representation Review, no changes were made to the district's election arrangements apart from a minor expansion of the Methven Community Board area to account for new residential growth.

We are required to review and consult the community about our representation arrangements in every six years.

Our most recent representation review was held in 2023/2024 and resulted in no changes to the way local body elections function in the Ashburton District, apart from a minor expansion of the Methven Community Board area to account for new residential growth.

Find out more about the Representation Review at itsourplace.nz

For more information about enrolling and voting, including alternative language options: