Ashburton District Council and the Electoral Commission will hold a community open day on 29 May to encourage people to make sure their enrolment details, including their postal address, are up to date, so they can vote in the local elections later this year.

Anyone who is enrolled can vote in the elections, which are held to select the people we want to represent us on our local councils.
Councils make decisions on things like rates, rubbish collection, roads, water, parks, building consents, and civil defence.

The community open day on 29 May will be held in the Ashburton Lakes Room at the Ashburton Library and the Electoral Commission Team will be available between 9.30am and 2.30pm and from 6.30pm to 7.30pm.

Group Manager for Democracy and Engagement Toni Durham said it was important to vote and have a say on who the mayor and councillors would be.

“Council’s Welcoming Communities advisor will also be helping share information about the local elections with the district’s migrant and newcomer communities, and we’ll be exploring ways to engage with young people who will be eligible to vote for the first time.”

As well as encouraging people to enrol, the open day on Thursday 29 May is also an opportunity to learn more about the local elections, including key dates and how to nominate a candidate.

If you are unable to make it to the open day you can enrol or update your details, including your address, online at vote.nz. Library staff can help you with this or you can call 0800 36 76 56 for help.

What are the key dates for the 2025 local elections?

• 2 July – Candidate information evening
• 4 July - Candidate nominations open
• 1 August - Candidate nominations close at 12 noon
• 9-22 September - Voting documents delivered
• 11 October - Election day, voting closes midday