2025 Nelson City Council election
11 October 2025
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Mayoral election | ||||||||||||||||
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12 seats on the Nelson City Council 7 seats needed for a majority | ||||||||||||||||
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below. | ||||||||||||||||
The 2025 Nelson City Council election was a local election held from 9 September to 11 October in Nelson, New Zealand, as part of that year's territorial authority elections and other local elections held nation-wide.
Voters elected the mayor of Nelson and 12 city councillors for the 2025–2028 term of the Nelson City Council. Postal voting and the single transferable voting system were used in two four-seat wards, an at-large three-seat contest and two single-winner contests (for mayor and Maori member).
Incumbent mayor Nick Smith won re-election to a second term.
The council introduced a Māori ward at the 2022 election; in a referendum on its future held at this election (as part of a nation-wide series of referendums) voters elected to keep the Māori ward.
Key dates
- 4 July 2025: Nominations for candidates opened
- 1 August 2025: Nominations for candidates closed at 12 pm
- 9 September 2025: Voting documents were posted and voting opened
- 11 October 2025: Voting closed at 12 pm and progress/preliminary results were published
- 16–19 October 2025: Final results were declared.[1]
Background
Positions up for election
Voters in the city elected the mayor of Nelson and 12 city councillors in 4 separate contests (three in wards and one at-large).
Campaign
List of candidates
Incumbents not seeking re-election
- Matthew Benge, incumbent councillor[2]
- Rohan O'Neill-Stevens, deputy mayor since 2022 and councillor since 2019[3][4]
- Rachel Sanson, incumbent councillor[2]
Mayor
| Candidate[5] | Photo | Affiliation[a] | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Osmaston | Money Free Party New Zealand | Previously ran for the mayoralties of Westland, Grey, Buller, Marlborough, Nelson, and Tasman in 2022.[7][8] Concurrently ran for the mayoralties of four other councils: Tasman, Buller, Grey and Westland.[9] | ||
| Nick Smith | Independent | Incumbent mayor since 2022[10][2][8] | ||
| Aaron Stallard | Independent | Incumbent councillor since 2022.[11][2] Also ran for re-election as a councillor in the at-large ward.[12][8] | ||
| John Wakelin | Lower Rates | Previously ran for the mayoralty in 2019 and 2022[13][8] | ||
Councillors
Whakatū Māori ward
Whakatū Māori ward returned one councillor to the city council.[14]
| Candidate[5] | Affiliation[a] | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kahu Paki Paki | None | Incumbent councillor[2] | |
Central ward
The Central ward returned four councillors to the city council.[14]
| Candidate[5] | Photo | Affiliation[a] | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matty Anderson | Independent | Incumbent councillor[2] | ||
| Lisa Austin | Let's Be Ready for Tomorrow – Today | [15] | ||
| Lenny Blake | None | |||
| Jackie Galland | None | |||
| James Hodgson | Independent | Incumbent councillor[2] | ||
| Anton Hyman | None | |||
| Marie Lindaya | Weaving a Stronger Nelson for 2025 | |||
| Sand McDougall | Independent | |||
| David North | None | |||
| Steph Phillips | Independent | |||
| Pete Rainey | Independent | Incumbent councillor[2] | ||
| Tilman Ward | Independent | |||
| Mike Ward | None | Previously ran for council in 2022[16] | ||
Stoke-Tāhunanui ward
The Stoke-Tāhunanui ward returned four councillors to the city council.[14]
| Candidate[5] | Photo | Affiliation[a] | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trudie Brand | None | Incumbent councillor[2] | ||
| Guy Coulson | None | Scientist (air quality)[17] | ||
| Mel Courtney | Independent | Incumbent councillor[2] | ||
| Sarah Kerby | Labour | [18] | ||
| Paul Lacy | None | |||
| Mike Nicholls | Independent | |||
| Valmai Palatchie | Independent | [19] | ||
| Dan Robinson | Independent | |||
| Campbell Rollo | Independent | Incumbent councillor[2] | ||
At-large ward
Three councillors were elected at-large to the city council.[14]
| Candidate[5] | Photo | Affiliation[a] | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Baillie | Independent | Former ACT MP (2020–2023)[20] | ||
| Anne Michele Dickinson | None | |||
| Susa Guhl | Independent | |||
| Jeremy Matthews | None | |||
| Keith Palmer | None | |||
| Nigel Skeggs | Independent | |||
| Tim Skinner | None | Incumbent councillor[2] | ||
| Aaron Stallard | Independent | Incumbent councillor since 2022. Also ran for mayor.[12] | ||
| Graeme K Tyree | Independent | |||
Results
Overall turnout for the election was 48.14%, with 18,789 voting papers returned.[21]
With the final results, the following candidates were declared elected:[21]
Mayor
Incumbent mayor Nick Smith won re-election to a second-term.[22]
| Affiliation | Candidate | Primary vote | % | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independent | Nick Smith† | 10,957 | 58.32 | ||||
| Independent | Aaron Stallard | 6,898 | 36.71 | ||||
| Independent | John Wakelin | 308 | 1.64 | ||||
| Money Free Party | Richard Osmaston | 288 | 1.53 | ||||
| Quota | 9,226 | 49.10 | |||||
| Informal | 23 | 0.12 | |||||
| Blank | 315 | 1.68 | |||||
| Turnout | 18,789 | ||||||
| Registered | |||||||
| Independent hold on 1st iteration | |||||||
| † incumbent | |||||||
Council
At-large ward
| Affiliation | Candidate | Primary vote | % | Iteration vote[b] | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independent | Aaron Stallard | 5,633 | 29.98 | #1 | 5,633 | |
| Independent | Tim Skinner† | 3,529 | 18.78 | #7 | 4,600 | |
| Independent | Nigel Skeggs | 2,388 | 12.71 | #8 | 4,271 | |
| Independent | Chris Baillie | 2,360 | 12.56 | #8 | 3,465 | |
| Independent | Susa Guhl | 1,344 | 7.15 | #6 | 2,250 | |
| Independent | Anne Dickinson | 1,000 | 5.32 | #5 | 1,366 | |
| Independent | Jeremy Matthews | 800 | 4.26 | #4 | 890 | |
| Independent | Keith Palmer | 447 | 2.38 | #3 | 529 | |
| Independent | Graeme Tyree | 251 | 1.34 | #2 | 338 | |
| Quota | 4,438 | 23.62 | #8 | 4,042 | ||
| Informal | 331 | 1.76 | ||||
| Blank | 706 | 3.76 | ||||
| Turnout | 18,789 | |||||
| Registered | ||||||
| Independent gain from Independent Green on 1st iteration | ||||||
| Independent hold on 7th iteration | ||||||
| Independent gain from Independent Green on 8th iteration | ||||||
| † incumbent | ||||||
Central general ward
| Affiliation | Candidate | Primary vote | % | Iteration vote[b] | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independent | Lisa Austin | 1,767 | 19.07 | #1 | 1,767 | |
| Independent | Pete Rainey† | 1,486 | 16.04 | #9 | 1,768 | |
| Independent | James Hodgson† | 1,137 | 12.27 | #12 | 1,688 | |
| Independent | Matty Anderson† | 1,215 | 13.12 | #13 | 1,711 | |
| Independent | Steph Phillips | 1,001 | 10.81 | #13 | 1,487 | |
| Independent | Marie Lindaya | 477 | 5.15 | #11 | 650 | |
| Independent | David North | 435 | 4.70 | #10 | 571 | |
| Independent | Mike Ward | 484 | 5.22 | #8 | 518 | |
| Independent | Lenny Blake | 340 | 3.67 | #6 | 387 | |
| Independent | Tilman Walk | 158 | 1.71 | #5 | 170 | |
| Independent | Sand McDougall | 124 | 1.34 | #4 | 132 | |
| Independent | Jackie Galland | 121 | 1.31 | #3 | 122 | |
| Independent | Anton Hyman | 28 | 0.30 | #1 | 28 | |
| Quota | 1,755 | 18.94 | #13 | 1,661 | ||
| Informal | 176 | 1.90 | ||||
| Blank | 315 | 3.40 | ||||
| Turnout | 9,264 | |||||
| Registered | ||||||
| Independent gain from Independent on 1st iteration | ||||||
| Independent hold on 9th iteration | ||||||
| Independent gain from Nelson Citizens Alliance on 12th iteration[c] | ||||||
| Independent hold on 13th iteration | ||||||
| † incumbent | ||||||
Stoke-Tāhunanui general ward
| Affiliation | Candidate | Primary vote | % | Iteration vote[b] | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independent | Campbell Rollo† | 1,972 | 21.78 | #1 | 1,972 | |
| Independent | Mel Courtney† | 1,941 | 21.44 | #1 | 1,941 | |
| Labour | Sarah Kerby | 1,445 | 15.96 | #7 | 1,829 | |
| Independent | Trudie Brand† | 1,045 | 11.54 | #10 | 1,624 | |
| Independent | Valmai Palatchie | 598 | 6.60 | #10 | 1,093 | |
| Independent | Mike Nicholls | 586 | 6.47 | #9 | 830 | |
| Independent | Guy Coulson | 487 | 5.38 | #6 | 545 | |
| Independent | Dan Robinson | 262 | 2.89 | #5 | 330 | |
| Independent | Paul Lacy | 249 | 2.75 | #4 | 278 | |
| Quota | 1,717 | 18.96 | #10 | 1,614 | ||
| Informal | 185 | 2.04 | ||||
| Blank | 285 | 3.15 | ||||
| Turnout | 9,055 | |||||
| Registered | ||||||
| Independent hold on 1st iteration | ||||||
| Independent hold on 1st iteration | ||||||
| Labour gain from Independent on 7th iteration | ||||||
| Independent hold on 10th iteration | ||||||
| † incumbent | ||||||
Whakatu Māori ward
| Affiliation | Candidate | Primary vote | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independent | Kahu Paki Paki† | Unopposed | ||||
| Registered | ||||||
| Independent hold | ||||||
| † incumbent | ||||||
Māori ward poll
| Choice | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| I vote to KEEP Māori wards | 10,168 | 57.26 | |
| I vote to REMOVE Māori wards | 7,590 | 42.74 | |
| Total | 17,758 | 100.00 | |
| Valid votes | 17,758 | 94.51 | |
| Invalid/blank votes | 1,031 | 5.49 | |
| Total votes | 18,789 | 100.00 | |
| Source: [21] | |||
See also
Notes
- ^ a b c d e A candidate may leave their affiliation blank, run as an independent, or run with an affiliation to an organisation, local body ticket or political party. Nelson City Council does not allow whānau, hapū, or iwi details to be used for the affiliation.[6]
- ^ a b c Rounded to nearest whole number
- ^ Incumbent changed affiliation.
References
- ^ "2025 Triennial Council Election". www.nelson.govt.nz. Nelson City Council. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Elected Members (Mayor and Councillors)". www.nelson.govt.nz. Nelson City Council. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ Gee, Samantha (16 June 2025). "Nelson's deputy mayor Rohan O'Neill-Stevens to step down at next election". RNZ. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
- ^ Townshend, Katie (16 June 2025). "Nelson deputy mayor won't seek re-election". The Press. Retrieved 16 June 2025.
- ^ a b c d e "2025 Triennial Elections | Nelson City Council". electionz.com. Retrieved 5 August 2025.
- ^ "Pukapuka Aratohu Kaitonopōti | Candidate Handbook" (PDF). www.nelson.govt.nz. Nelson City Council. p. 14. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
- ^ "Meet the Nelson man running to be the mayor of six councils". Stuff. 12 August 2022. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
- ^ a b c d Townshend, Katie (1 August 2025). "In the running for Nelson mayor and council". Nelson Mail. The Press. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
- ^ Nash, Joanne (5 August 2025). "Tough battles lie ahead for mayoral hopefuls". The Press. PressReader.com – Digital Newspaper & Magazine Subscriptions. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ^ Townshend, Katie (15 February 2025). "Should I stand or should I go? Councillors weigh up election bid". The Press. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ^ Frethey, Max (8 July 2025). "Councillor challenges Nick for mayor". NelsonApp. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
- ^ a b Townshend, Katie (8 July 2025). "Aaron Stallard puts up hand for Nelson mayoralty". The Nelson Mail. The Press. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
- ^ Gamble, Warren (21 September 2022). "NCC mayoral race: John Wakelin". Stuff. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Local Governance Statement 2022–2025" (PDF). www.nelson.govt.nz. Nelson City Council. Retrieved 16 April 2025.
- ^ "Lisa Austin for Nelson City Council". lisaaustin4ncc.co.nz. Retrieved 25 July 2025.
- ^ "Candidates for the 2022 Nelson City Council local election announced". our.nelson.govt.nz. Nelson City Council. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
- ^ Coulson, Guy (16 May 2022). "Why cutting greenhouse gases also improves our health". Stuff. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
- ^ Frethey, Max (11 June 2025). "Labour runs Nelson council candidate". The Press. Retrieved 11 June 2025.
- ^ "Valmai for Nelson 2025". valmaipalatchie.co.nz. Valmai Palatchie. Retrieved 28 July 2025.
- ^ Townshend, Katie (11 July 2025). "Former ACT MP standing for Nelson City Council as independent". The Nelson Mail. The Press. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
- ^ a b c "2025 Triennial Elections DECLARATION OF RESULT" (PDF). www.electionz.com. Nelson City Council. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
- ^ Townshend, Katie (11 October 2025). "Nelson backs another three years for Nick Smith". Nelson Mail. The Press. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
- ^ a b c d e "Nelson City Council 2025 Triennial Elections - Final STV result" (PDF). 16 November 2025. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 November 2025. Retrieved 26 November 2025.