Western Bay voters have a new way to get to know their local election candidates this year, with short videos now available online.
Of the 55 people standing for Mayor, Councillor and Community Board positions, 40 have recorded a 90-second video introducing themselves and answering four common questions:
- What’s the biggest challenge facing the Western Bay?
- Why do you think you’ve got what it takes?
- What’s one local issue you’d focus on in the next 12 months – and why?
- In five words or less, how would you describe the Western Bay?
The videos sit alongside candidate statements at yourplace.westernbay.govt.nz/elections, where voters can browse by ward, community board area, or community board subdivision.
Printed candidate booklets with statements will also be sent out with voting packs, which start arriving in letterboxes between 9 and 22 September.
The candidate video profiles are one of several ways in which Council is making it easier for people to participate this election year — alongside an interactive, mobile-friendly digital dashboard and bright orange voting bins at key community locations.
Governance Manager Robyn Garrett says the videos give candidates a chance to speak directly to voters in their own words, and is a simple, accessible way for people to get a feel for who the candidates are.
“They are a chance for people to see and hear the people who want to represent them, not just read about them,” says Robyn.
“We know that a lack of information about candidates is one of the main reasons people don’t vote. We want people to feel confident about casting their vote, and this is another way of helping people to feel informed and engaged.”
Following a recent representation review, the Council structure changed for the 2025 and 2028 elections. This year, most residents will vote for a Mayor, their Ward Councillor(s), and their Community Board representatives. Matakana and Rangiwaea Islands residents will vote for a Mayor and their Ward Councillor(s), as they are not part of a community board area.
Voters across the Western Bay will elect:
- 1 Mayor (elected at large)
- 9 Councillors:
- 2 in Katikati–Waihī Beach Ward
- 3 in Kaimai Ward
- 3 in Maketu–Te Puke Ward
- 1 in the new Waka Kai Uru Māori Ward (elected by those on the Māori Electoral Roll)
- Community Board members across five boards, with new subdivisions introduced in some areas to ensure more localised representation.
New subdivisions have been created in Te Puke–Eastern (Eastern Subdivision) and Ōmokoroa–Kaimai (Kaimai East and Kaimai West Subdivisions), giving these communities their own elected representatives and a stronger voice at the table.
Local elections are run by postal vote. Voting packs will be delivered between 9 and 22 September, and voting closes at 12 noon, Saturday 11 October.
Western Bay of Plenty District Council uses the First Past the Post (FPP) voting system. That means you simply tick the name of the person(s) you most want to represent you in each category — the candidate with the most votes wins.
Alongside this election, a binding referendum will be included in everyone’s voting pack — asking voters to decide whether the Māori Ward continues for the 2028 and 2031 elections. This referendum will sit alongside candidate information and voting materials when voting opens between 9 September and 11 October 2025.
If you were not enrolled by 1 August, you are still able to enrol and vote in the Election by way of a special vote. To cast a special vote, you will need to come into any of Council’s five Library and Service Centres, complete a declaration and you will be issued your special voting papers to complete and return.
To view all candidate videos, visit yourplace.westernbay.govt.nz/elections
