Nominations open for regional council election
Nominations are open for Canterbury Regional Council candidates in an election that comes at a “pivotal time” for regional government.
Across seven constituencies, the community will vote for 14 councillors*. Candidates must have their nominations in by noon on Friday 1 August.
“We have an unprecedented amount of change coming our way,” Chief Executive Dr Stefanie Rixecker said.
“This includes resource management reforms, new national direction on the environment, amendments to the Local Government Act and emergency management legislation. These have the potential to change not just our functions, but possibly the way that we work and our form into the future.”
Dr Rixecker said the reforms may result in the most significant reset since regional councils were established in 1989.
“That could frighten some. Or it could absolutely engage others. There is an opportunity through this time of change to ensure the Waitaha/Canterbury perspective is considered and that any new direction is appropriate for, and can be implemented effectively in, our region.
Environment Canterbury Chief Executive Stefanie Rixecker
“I invite people with vision, purpose and drive to think about whether they can contribute to regional governance for our region over the next three years.”
Stand for leadership and decision-making
The role of a councillor is one of leadership and decision-making, engagement with communities, and monitoring the organisation’s performance, Dr Rixecker said.
“It is also to work shoulder-to-shoulder with the region’s 10 Papatipu Rūnanga.
“We are in the Ngāi Tahu takiwā and need to work together in ways that provide for statutory responsibilities and recognise the rangatiratanga of Ngāi Tahu and their status as kaitiaki, as recognised in the Treaty of Waitangi and set out in the Ngāi Tahu Claims Settlement Act 1998.”
Our candidate information page has information about local government in New Zealand, the election process and what successful candidates could expect in the role of councillor.
Material available includes a Candidate Handbook, presentations and a recording from a candidate information session held on 1 July. A pre-election report is also being prepared. This outlines the anticipated challenges and opportunities for the council term, a summary of the regional council’s financial position, and a snapshot of key projects that will be delivered over the next three years.
To stand for election, a candidate must:
- be a New Zealand Citizen and be enrolled on a parliamentary electoral roll within New Zealand
- be nominated by two electors enrolled in the constituency that the candidate is standing in – a candidate cannot nominate themselves
- pay a $200 nomination deposit.
You cannot stand for both a regional council and a city or district council or community board position in the same region.
Visit our candidate information page or email elections@ecan.govt.nz for more information.
Election 2025 key dates
- 4 July 2025 - Candidate nominations open
- 1 August 2025 - Candidate nominations close at noon
- 9–22 September 2025 - Voting papers are sent out. Voting is open until 11 October 2025
- 9 September–11 October 2025 - Special voting period
- 11 October 2025 - Voting closes at noon, with progress results available later that day
- 16 October 2025 - Declaration of results
- Late October- Inaugural Council meeting
*Footnote: The Canterbury Regional Council (Ngāi Tahu Representation) Act 2022 enables Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu to select and appoint two councillors with full voting rights to the Council. This brings the total number of councillors to 16.