He aha e pōti ai te tangata i ngā pōti motuhake ā-rohe Why you should vote in the local elections

Make sure you have your say on issues affecting Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland and your local community by voting in the 2025 local elections.

Quick facts about the local elections

Local elections occur every three years by postal vote.

In Auckland, voters choose:

• one mayor
• 20 ward councillors
• 149 local board members.

Elections for District Health Board members are no longer held due to the Ministry of Health reforms in 2021.

If you live in a licensing trust district, you can also vote for licensing trustees.

Voting starts from Tuesday 9 September and closes at 12 noon on Saturday 11 October 2025.

Why your vote is important

Democracy is at its best when voices of the people are heard.

It is important for voters to pay attention to local elections and to take the time to learn about the aspirations of candidates and their proposals.

There is no level of government in Aotearoa / New Zealand that is more directly involved in the day-to-day happenings within your local community, than your council.

The mayor, councillors and local board members make decisions that have impact on many aspects of your life and your local community.

Game-changing challenges and opportunities

There are a lot of exciting things happening in Auckland and the next few years will bring some unique challenges.

Huge infrastructure projects such as the City Rail Link and the Central Interceptor will be completed during this election term.

Together with major business and residential developments, they are set to transform the urban landscape.

Auckland will become a more dynamic, accessible and attractive place to live, work and invest.

The challenges will be how well Auckland:

• takes advantage of those opportunities for its people and businesses
• listens to and understands what people most care about
• delivers efficient and cost-effective solutions that meet the city’s financial challenges. 

Watch a video about why you should vote

Read the full transcript of this video or watch this video in New Zealand Sign Language.

Vote to have a say on Tāmaki Makaurau /Auckland's future

Voting in the local elections is important if you want to have your say on what matters to you. We deliver many services to our communities across the Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland region such as:

• the rates you pay and the services and assets they pay for
• the city's economic recovery and investment for vital infrastructure
• having a say on how we monitor and protect our natural environment
• what cultural, family and sporting events take place near you
• play spaces for children in your local parks
• visiting libraries, recreation centres and pools or hiring a community hall
• rules around where you can walk your dog
• the quality of water from your tap and at your local beaches
• city centre and local development and a thriving community
• making it safer for cyclists and pedestrians around the city and region
• a range of other services, like bus timetables, checking buildings are built properly, restaurant health rules, alcohol licences and public art.

The people you vote for will also decide on funding and maintenance of critical infrastructure that makes Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland a great place to live. Your vote can make a difference.

Visit Auckland Council explained to learn more about what elected members do.

Get ready to vote

Local authority elections are held every three years. Voting opens in this local body election on Tuesday 9 September and closes at 12 noon on Saturday 11 October 2025.

You can vote if you are enrolled as a voter with the Electoral Commission.

Visit Who can vote and how to enrol for more information about the Electoral Commission and voting.