It has been a challenging couple of years for the South.
As the cost of living climbs, including some dramatic rates rises, questions are being asked about council spending.
Add to that suggestions that the future shape and role of local government may be changing and it’s a fascinating time to get involved with local body politics — both by running for seats and voting for the people to fill them.
Now, more than ever, we need astute and inspiring leadership to help restore the fortunes of the region.
There is much at stake.
Voters in the local body elections need to think carefully about the type of leadership their councils need now, and in the years ahead, if the South is to thrive economically, socially, culturally and environmentally.
Today, we publish the full list of nominations for the 2025 local body elections.
It is every adult’s democratic right in this country to vote (just as it is their democratic privilege not to). We urge you to exercise that important right. Public participation in the democratic process is the cornerstone of our nation.
The big hurdle for candidates, as always, will be capturing the attention of voters. Postal voting papers will be delivered between September 9 and 22. Voting closes at noon October 11.
We are planning:
• Comprehensive coverage of the issues in all districts throughout the South;
• Articles on leadership and topical local issues in Dunedin, Southland, Invercargill, Waitaki, Queenstown Lakes, Central Otago and Clutha, and on the various regional councils;
• To ask the community what they think;
• To put a series of questions to candidates standing in the region;
• Video "hot-takes" from candidates.
Our team of reporters will cover the issues in each electoral district from Timaru to Invercargill.
We will also hit the streets to capture the mood, colour, humour and the lighter side as candidates fall over themselves to get a headline and grab your attention.
Voters, of course, will get the final say.
Stay with odt.co.nz, the Otago Daily Times and Allied Media’s weekly regional publications so you can make an informed decision. — The Editor
LOCAL BODY ELECTIONS 2025: THE NOMINATIONS
Environment Canterbury
South Canterbury/Ōtuhituhi Regional Constituency (2 vacancies)
Peter Scott
Toni Severin
Nick Ward
Clutha District Council
Mayor
Jock Martin
Ken Payne
Councillors
Balclutha Ward (2 vacancies)
Ruth Kerei Baldwin
Phil Barrett
Wayne Felts
Rachel Joanne Harrison
Brendon Russel John Smith
Milton Ward (1 vacancy)
Ricardo Bruce Boulton
Larry Alan Frost
Douglas John Keen
Nanetta Maria Knowles
Chris McDonald
Mark William Soper
Bruce-Waihola Ward (1 vacancy)
Gaynor Finch
Dean McCrostie
Catlins Ward (1 vacancy)
Dane Joel Catherwood
Clinton-Clydevale-Ward (1 vacancy)
Simon McAtamney
Therron Robert Tapp
Joanne Janetta Thomson
Kaitangata-Matau Ward (1 vacancy)
Bruce Roger Graham
Lawrence-Tuapeka Ward (1 vacancy)
Anne Wai Chin Cheng
Roger James Cotton
West Otago Ward (1 vacancy)
Michele Kennedy
Lawrence-Tuapeka Community Board (6 vacancies)
Anne Wai Chin Cheng
Stephen Robert Crow
Geoff Davidson
Tim Dickey
Benjamin Bryce Martin
Elizabeth Anne Ritchie
Arna Smith
West Otago Community Board (6 vacancies)
Sandra Allan
Cecil Crawford
Mark Diamond
Barbara Anne Hanna
Robert Kane
Sonia Richardson
Bruce Robertson
Clutha Licensing Trust (5 vacancies)
Mike Cochrane
Sarah Leonore Hayward
Jason Lyders
Jared McPhee
Steve Morris
Dunedin City Council
Mayor
Lync Aronson (Fully Funded City Council)
Sophie Barker (Working for you)
Doug Hall
Carmen Houlahan
Marie Laufiso (Building Kotahitaka)
Lianna Macfarlane
Mandy Mayhem
David Milne
Flynn "Nisvett" Nisbett (Aotearoa New Zealand Silly Hat Party)
Benedict Ong
Jules Radich
Zenith Rose-Wills (aka Ruthven Allimrac) (The Radical Action Faction)
Andrew Simms (Future Dunedin)
Pamela Taylor
Mickey Treadwell (Green Party)
Lee Vandervis
Council at large (14 vacancies)
Bill Acklin
Lachlan Akers
Lync Aronson (Fully Funded City Council)
Sophie Barker (Working for you)
Tony Bennett
Rachel Brazil (Future Dunedin)
Heike Cebulla-Elder
John Chambers (Your Health)
Sarah Davie-Nitis
Cyndee Elder (Building Kotahitaka)
Rose Finnie (Green Party)
Jo Galer (Future Dunedin)
Christine Garey
Kevin Gilbert
Jett Groshinski (Labour)
Doug Hall
Robert Hamlin
Karl Hart
Jarrod Hodson (Future Dunedin)
Carmen Houlahan
Marita Johnson
Anthony Kenny (Act Local: Real Change, Lower Rates)
Anna Knight (Building Kotahitaka)
Richard Knights
Marie Laufiso (Building Kotahitaka )
Cherry Lucas
Lianna MacFarlane
Mandy Mayhem
David Milne
Jim O’Malley
Hugh "Captain" O’Neill
Jen Olsen (The Radical Action Faction)
Benedict Ong
Marian Poole
Paul Pope
Jules Radich
Bruce Ranga (Future Dunedin)
Evelyn Robertson
Daniel Rooney
Andrew Simms (Future Dunedin)
Conrad Stedman (Future Dunedin)
Andrew Sutton (Future Dunedin)
Amy Taylor (Future Dunedin)
Pamela Taylor
Sue Todd
Mickey Treadwell (Green Party)
Rebecca "Bex" Twemlow (Future Dunedin)
Lee Vandervis
Steve Walker (Labour)
Lily Warring (Green Party)
Brent Weatherall
Andrew Whiley
Paul Williams
Strath Taieri Community Board (6 vacancies)
Ken Bain
David "Jock" Frew
Terina Geddes
Donna Hall
Quentin "Soddy" MacLeod
Tony Markham
Sheila Ramsay
Bruce Thomas
Robin Thomas
Waikouaiti Coast Community Board (6 vacancies)
Andy Barratt
Athol R Bayne
Sonya Billyard
Timothy Greenhalgh
Danny Hailes
Anna Knight (Building Kotahitaka)
Brian McCutcheon
Rachel McInnes
Alasdair Morrison
Stefan Mutch
Geraldine Tait
Mosgiel-Taieri Community Board (6 Vacancies)
Malcolm Anngow
Austen Banks
Rose Finnie
Brian Peat
Alexis Robin (Future Dunedin)
Rebecca Shepherd
Andrew Sutton (Future Dunedin)
Kimberlee Wallace
Steve Wilson (Future Dunedin)
Saddle Hill Community Board (6 vacancies)
Pim Allen
Tracey Boereboom
Emily Funnell
Solomon King
Lianna MacFarlane
Andy McLean
Barry "Baza" McLellan
John Moyle
Vianney Santagati
Andre Sintmaartensdyk
Paul Weir
West Harbour Community Board (6 vacancies)
Duncan Eddy
Jarrod Hodson
Jenny B Kendrick
Ange McErlane
Matthew Newton
Barbara Olah
Marian Poole
Wayne "Blackdog" Sefton
Otago Peninsula Community Board (6 vacancies)
Warren Chambers
Donna Katae
Stacey Kokaua-Balfour
Hoani Langsbury
Amanda McLean
Cheryl Neill
Hugh O’Neill
Paul Pope
Emma Strybosch
Iain Sweetman
Koreana Wesley-Evans
Otago Regional Council
Dunstan Regional Constituency (4 vacancies)
Ben Farrell
Neil Gillespie
Matt Hollyer
Gary Kelliher (Vision Otago)
Michael Laws (Vision Otago)
Amie Pont
Nicky Rhodes (Vision Otago)
Moeraki Regional Constituency (1 vacancy)
Sophia De Leon La Barra
Kevin Malcolm
Molyneux Regional Constituency (2 vacancies)
Robbie Byars (Act Local: Real Change, Lower Rates)
Carmen Felicity Hope (nee Knowler) (Vision Otago)
Lloyd McCall
Kate Wilson
Dunedin Regional Constituency (5 vacancies)
Hilary Calvert (Vision Otago)
James Cockle (The Radical Action Faction)
Chanel Gardner
Phil Glassey
Alex King
Tim Mepham
Andrew Noone
Gretchen Robertson
Alan Somerville (Green Party)
Elliot Weir
Gore District Council
Mayor
Ben Bell
Nicky Davis
Council at large (3 vacancies)
Steven Boko Dixon
Gary McIntyre
Neville Phillips
Torrone Smith
Joe Stringer
Gore Rural Ward (2 vacancies)
John Gardyne
Stewart MacDonell
Mataura Ward (1 vacancy)
Nicky Coats
Gore Ward (5 vacancies)
Donna Bruce
Mel Cupit
Andy Fraser
Jess Hudson
Robert Mckenzie
Paul Neil Mcphail
Mataura Community Board (5 vacancies)
Steven Boko Dixon
Michelle Hamilton
Tanya Rowling
Laurel Turnbull
Mataura Licensing Trust Ward 1 (1 vacancy)
Horace Mcauley
Mataura Licensing Trust Ward 2 (3 vacancies)
Kylie Aitken
Jimmy Allison
Casey Eason
Jim Geddes
Paul Henry
Craig Marshall
Mataura Licensing Trust Ward 3 (1 vacancy)
Brendon "Moe" Murray
Mataura Licensing Trust Ward 4 (1 vacancy)
Vince Aynsley
Mataura Licensing Trust Ward 5 (1 vacancy)
Jeannine Cunningham
Mataura Licensing Trust Ward 6 (1 vacancy)
Marc Robertson
Mataura Licensing Trust Ward 7 (1 vacancy)
Todd Lyders
Gore & Districts Health Inc — Gore Ward (4 vacancies)
Kylie Fisken
Tracy Hicks
Nigel Moore
Maeva Smith
Gore & Districts Health Inc Clutha Ward (1 vacancy)
Cecil Crawford
Gore And Districts Health Inc Southland Ward (1 vacancy)
No nominations have yet been received
Mackenzie District Council
Mayor
Scott Aronsen
Ash Jackson
Robin Mccarthy
Elizabeth Mckenzie
Karen Morgan
Pukaki Ward (3 vacancies)
Scott Aronsen
Brian Finn
Christopher Hathaway
Frank Hocken
Peter Oliver (Financial Responsibility)
Jan Spriggs
Opuha Ward (3 vacancies)
Mark Adams
Rit Fisher
Phillipa Guerin
Ash Jackson
Elizabeth Mckenzie
Tekapo Ward (1 vacancy)
Sue Allan
Maireire Norman
Twizel Community Board (4 vacancies)
Tony Hodges
Mary Murdoch
Katrina Te Rito
Fairlie Community Board (4 vacancies)
Simon Abbott
Simon Cassie
Gina Kilmister
Holly Lane-Hand
Jamie Mcmurtrie
Tom Whittaker
Tekapo Community Board (4 vacancies)
Barbara Nustrini
Anna Roseingrave
Brent Swanson
Simon Tocker
Invercargill City Council
Mayor
Ria Bond
Tom Campbell
Stevey Chernishov
Andrew Clark
Alex Crackett
Gordon Mccrone (Advanced Task Force Political Party)
Tom Morton
Ian Pottinger
Council at large (12 vacancies)
Allan Arnold
Ria Bond
Trish Boyle (Integrity)
Steve Broad
Jay Coote
Pania Coote (Consumer Advocate)
Alex Crackett
Chris Dawson
Andrea De Vries
Grant Dermody
Carl Heenan
Karl Herman
Carol "CJ" Jasperse
Terry King (Advocate and Lobbyist for Invercargill)
Amanda Laurie
Darren Ludlow
Marcus Lush
Lynley McKerrow
David Meades
Tom Morton
Dan O’Connell
Noel Peterson (Serving Community)
Ian Pottinger
Ian Reeves
Barry Stewart
Lisa Tou Mcnaughton (Positivity)
Tony Van Der Lem
Bluff Community Board (5 vacancies)
Jo Eruera
Ray Fife
Glen Goodall
Carol "CJ" Jasperse
Frazer Murdoch (Bluff Promotions)
Haylee Simeon (Community Voice)
Justin Sutherland
Invercargill Licensing Trust (6 vacancies)
Sheree Carey
Aaron "Ronnie" Douglas
Graham "Hawksy" Hawkes
Nick Jeffrey
Kane "Big Daddy" Johnson
Angela Newell
Paddy O’Brien
Suzanne Prentice
Southland District Council
Mayor
Wendy Joy Baker (Standing Strong and Working with Wisdom)
Rob Scott
Gary Tong
Mararoa Waimea Ward (3 vacancies)
Sarah Greaney
Tom O’Brien
Matt Wilson
Waiau Aparima Ward (3 vacancies)
Jaspreet Boparai
Don Byars
Stevey Chernishov
Michael Weusten
Ōreti Ward (3 vacancies)
Katie Allan
Phil Dobson
Christine Menzies
Brian Somerville
Waihōpai Toetoe Ward (2 vacancies)
Paul Duffy
Julie Keast
Phil Scothern
Pamela Yorke
Stewart Island/Rakiura Ward (1 vacancy)
Jon Spraggon
Wallace Takitimu Community Board (6 vacancies)
Shelley Hitchcox
Colin Lawry
Edwin Mabonga
Tony Philpott
Gretchen Wilson
Lester Wilson
Ōraka Aparima Community Board (6 vacancies)
Carole Elder
Emma Gould
Troy Holiday
Neil Linscott
Robin Mccall
Michael Weusten
Waihōpai Toetoe Community Board (7 vacancies)
Emily Butters
Denise Mary Fodie
Josh Honiss
Michael Kowalewski
Fiona McCabe
Melanie McIntyre
George Stevenson
Andrea Straith
Pamela Yorke
Stewart Island/Rakiura Community Board (6 vacancies)
Aaron "Squirt" Conner
Mike Douglass
Alistair "Tippy" Faulknor
Aaron Joy
Daniel Meads
Emma Simpson-Boyce
Jon Spraggon
Andrea Young
Fiordland Community Board (6 vacancies)
Julie Burgess
Diane Holmes
Marilyn Hunter
Diana Keith
Nick Robertson
Luke Thomas
Monique Van Rensburg
Tuatapere Te Waewae Community Board (6 vacancies)
Derek Chamberlain
Lynette Chambers
Blayne De Vries
Wayne Andrew Edgerton
Anne Cherrie Horrell
Chantel Marshall
Marilyn Parris
Ardlussa Community Board (6 vacancies)
Richard Clarkson
Ray Dickson
Chris Dillon
Clarke Horrell
Raewyn Lindsay
Grant Mcfelin
Parawa-Fairlight Community Subdivision (1 vacancy)
Ian Clark
John Peterson
West Dome Community Subdivision (2 vacancies)
Lance Hellewell
Megan Vande Sandt
Mid Dome Community Subdivision (3 vacancies)
Amanda Lee Reedy
Carolyn Smith
Greg Tither
Hokonui Community Subdivision (1 vacancy)
Margie Ruddenklau
Midlands Community Subdivision (4 vacancies)
Sue Allison
Blair Irwin
Brian Somerville
Ross Thomson
Steve Turton
Makarewa Community Subdivision (2 vacancies)
Alexis Halder
Jamie Winsloe
Queenstown Lakes District Council
Mayor
Al Angus
John Glover
Nik Kiddle
Glyn Lewers
Darren Rewi
Daniel Shand (Independent Direct Democracy)
Queenstown-Whakatipu Ward (4 vacancies)
Gavin Bartlett
Stephen Brent
Aaron Cowie
Craig "Ferg" Ferguson
Jon Mitchell
Rene Smith
Matt Wong
Wānaka-Upper Clutha Ward (4 vacancies)
Barry Bruce
Lyal Cocks
Craig Gasson
Niki Gladding
Nicola King
Yeverley Mccarthy
Quentin Smith
Cody Tucker
Thorsk G Westphal
Arrowtown-Kawarau Ward (3 vacancies)
"Q" (Samuel) Belk
Heath Copland
Lisa Guy
Tim Manning
Melissa White
Wānaka-Upper Clutha Community Board (4 vacancies)
John Bache
Kathy Dedo
Chris Hadfield
Linda Joll
Simon Telfer
John Wellington
Timaru District Council
Mayor
Peter George Bennett
Nigel Bowen (Vote Bowen)
Stu Piddington
Geraldine Ward (1 vacancy)
Philip Harper
Gavin Oliver
Pleasant Point-Temuka Ward (2 vacancies)
Michelle Pye
Charles Scarsbrook
Scott Shannon
Timaru Ward (6 vacancies)
Anah Aikman
Peter George Bennett
John Bolt (Act Local: Real Change, Lower Rates)
Peter Burt
Ian Hanley
Owen "OJ" Jackson
Stu "Photo" Jackson (Slippery Tiles Rates — Needs Not Wants)
Sange Malama
Jason McDouall
Hadleigh Oudemans
Stu Piddington
Ethan Richardson
Stacey Scott
Chris Thomas
Graeme Wilson
Geraldine Community Board (6 vacancies)
Helen Davidson
Jan Finlayson
Sarah Foley-Smith
Andy Mckay
Shane Minnear
Kerry Stuart
Rachel Wilson
Rosemary Woods Rosie
Pleasant Point Community Board (5 vacancies)
Leanne Fifield
Anna Lyon
Tezeh Mills
Cale Toomey
Amy-Lee Trainor
Kathy Wilkins
Temuka Community Board (5 vacancies)
Kathy Campbell
John Jackson
Ann Jones
Jocelyn Mcnab McKay
Nicola Nimo
Charles Scarsbrook
Alison Talbot
Geraldine Licensing Trust (6 vacancies)
Dan Cummings
Nicola Donkers
Angela T Haynes
Jo Hewson
Sally Houston
Ross Macleod
John Wilson
Rosemary "Rosie" Woods
Waitaki District Council
Mayor
Guy Percival
Melanie Tavendale
Kelli Williams
David Wilson
Ahuriri Ward (1 vacancy)
Brent Cowles
Ōamaru Ward (6 vacancies)
Nathan Barnes
Andy De Boer
Peter De Reus
Mata’aga Hana
Melania Fanene-Taiti
Teenica "Teeni" Harrex
Jeremy Holding
Jim Hopkins
Ramon Kirk
Ferdie Kruger
Dan Lewis
Courtney Linwood
Sheridan Newson
Rebecca Ryan
Mark Townsend
Richard Vinbrux
Waihemo Ward (1 vacancy)
Garry Dodd
Gervais "G" O’Reilly
Frans Schlack
Corriedale Ward (2 vacancies)
John McCone
Sven Thelning
Ahuriri Community Board (5 vacancies)
Steve Dalley
Mike King
Alan Pont
Calum Reid
Karen Turner
Waihemo Community Board (5 vacancies)
Tanya Bell
Andy Clare
Clifford Day
Heather McGregor
Paul Roy
Kerry Stevens
Ōamaru Licensing Trust (5 vacancies)
Peter Bond
John Bringans
Ali Brosnan
John Clements
Ken Lyell
Denise McMillan
Waimate District Council
Mayor
Sharyn Cain
Craig Rowley
Rick Stevens
Hakataramea-Waihaorunga Ward (1 vacancy)
Paul Harrison
Margaret Wells
Pareora-Otaio-Makikihi Ward (2 vacancies)
Jon Bird
Stacey Hall
Sandy Mcalwee
Tom O’Connor
Lower Waihao Ward (1 vacancy)
Lisa Small
Waimate Ward (4 vacancies)
John Begg
Shane Gregoran
Jakki Guilford
Peter David Paterson
Brent Percy
Rick Stevens
Central Otago District Council
Mayor
Tamah Alley
Mark Quinn
Charlie Sanders
Cromwell Ward (4 vacancies)
Sarah Browne
Andrew Burns
Stephen Carruth
Terry Davis
Dave George
Cheryl Laws
Gareth Noble
Charlie Sanders
Bob Scott
Vincent Ward (4 vacancies)
Gill Booth
Lynley Claridge
Ian Cooney
Jayden Cromb
Kas Mcentyre
Dave Mckenzie
Nathan Mclean
Martin Mcpherson
Tracy Paterson
Louise Van Der Voort
Cam Withington (Change for Central)
Maniototo Ward (1 vacancy)
Michelle Bisset
Stu Duncan
Teviot Valley Ward (1 vacancy)
Curtis Pannett
Mark Quinn
Cromwell Community Board (4 vacancies)
Rebecca Anderson
Mike Casey
Gerald Duncan
Anna Harrison
Gary Kirk
Haemia Melling
Travis Muir
Bill Sanders
Wally Sanford
Jane Smith
Maniototo Community Board (4 vacancies)
Logan Dowling
Mark Harris
Rob Hazlett
Duncan Helm
Becky Mcauley
Rose Voice
Renee Weir
Vincent Community Board (4 vacancies)
Roger Browne
Jayden Cromb
Tony Hammington
Dai Johns
Martin Mcpherson
Jim Moffitt
Karla Sanders
Teviot Valley Community Board (4 vacancies)
Gill Booth
Sue Cain
Mark Jessop
Curtis Pannett
Becky Slade
Hayden Smith
Richard Tamblyn
Environment Southland
Fiordland Regional Constituency (1 vacancy)
Paul Evans
Eastern-Dome Regional Constituency (2 vacancies)
Alastair Gibson
Jeremy McPhail
Western Regional Constituency (1 vacancy)
Ewen Mathieson
Hokonui Regional Constituency (1 vacancy)
Peter McDonald
David Rose
Southern Regional Constituency (1 vacancy)
Jon Pemberton
Invercargill-Rakiura Regional Constituency (6 vacancies)
Joshua Cumberland
Roger Hodson
Lyndal Ludlow
Phil Morrison
Nick Perham
Maurice Rodway
Eric Roy
Nathan Surendran
Rob Te Maiharoa
Annette Trent
Geoffrey Young
