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30 Jun 2025

Enrol to have your say in local elections

In the last local elections in Waikato, our local representatives were chosen by only 38% of eligible voters. 

Have your say in the people who represent you. Vote in your local election

You have a role to play in these decision-making processes. In local elections, we choose who represents us on our councils. Local elections are run by local councils every 3 years.

Sometimes, it can feel like government and community leadership sits far away from our lives.  But elected members make decisions that affect all of us. These decisions have big impacts for our communities and our neighbourhoods. They shape our places, and they shape the things that make up our lives.

Our councils have a say in shaping our creative communities. This includes maintaining and operating public spaces and venues, allocating funding for community events and initiatives,  and shaping policies and processes around public events. 

Local councils look after many different things for our communities, including our: 

  • Roads and rubbish 
  • Community facilities & services
  • Parks and playgrounds 
  • Community centres
  • Libraries
  • Sports arenas
  • Museums
  • Concert halls and theatres
  • Beaches and rivers

We need to remember that our leaders are elected to represent and serve us, and it is only with our support that they can do this.

You can contribute to the shape of our future.

What to do

You can vote in your local elections if you are: 

  • 18 or older
  • A New Zealand citizen or permanent resident 
  • If you’re on the electoral roll, you can vote in local elections where you live.  

Check your enrolment details at www.vote.nz

Once you have enrolled, you will be sent a voting pack, including a prepaid envelope you can use to cast your vote via post. If you would prefer to vote in person, keep an eye out on your local council website for more details.

Over the coming months, you will see some videos of the Creative Waikato team out and about, checking out local hot spots and showcasing what an incredible region we have, and sharing some key messages about the importance of voting.

Please feel free to share these videos, leave likes and comments to help amplify our shared message. 

But most importantly, make sure to have your say. 

Voter turnout statistics sourced from: https://www.waikatoregion.govt.nz/community/waikato-progress-indicators-tupuranga-waikato/voter-turnout/