2026 Dunedin City Council by-election
12 May 2026
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The 2026 Dunedin City Council by-election is an upcoming local by-election in Dunedin, New Zealand prompted by the death of councillor Jules Radich on 4 January 2026.[1] Voters will elect one member representing the city at-large. The winner will serve for the remainder of the 2025–2028 term. Postal voting and the single transferable vote system will be used.
Schedule
Key dates related to the by-election are:[2][3]
- 2 March 2026: Nominations close
- 10 April 2026: Voting opens
- 12 May 2026: Polling day – voting closes midday
Background
Cost
The election is estimated to cost the council around $400,000, with costs dependent on factors including the number of candidates.[4]
Candidates
Former mayor Aaron Hawkins announced his intention to stand in February as an independent candidate.[2][5] Former city councillors Carmen Houlahan, Andrew Whiley,[6] Bill Acklin and Conrad Stedman have announced their intention to stand.[3][7] Other candidates include Jo Galer, Lync Aronson, Richard Knights, Pamela Taylor, Lianne MacFarlane and Garreth Ottley.[2][8] The Green Party, Labour Party and ACT Party confirmed in February that they would not be endorsing a candidate in the election.[8] Fourteen candidates registered by the nomination deadline of 2 March.[9]
List
| Candidates[9][10] | Affiliation | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bill Acklin | Independent | Candidate in the 2025 election. Dunedin City Councillor 2004–2013 and 2022–2025[3][11] | ||
| Lync Aronson | Independent | Candidate in the 2025 election[2] | ||
| Gordon Dickson | None | |||
| Jo Galer | Independent | Candidate in the 2025 election[2] | ||
| Aaron Hawkins | Independent | Former Green mayor of Dunedin from 2019–2022[2][5] | ||
| Carmen Houlahan | Independent | Candidate in the 2025 election. Dunedin City Councillor from 2019 to 2025[12][6] | ||
| Richard Knights | None | Candidate in the 2025 election[2] | ||
| Lianna MacFarlane | Independent | Candidate in the 2025 election. Saddle Hill Community Board member from 2025[8] | ||
| Angus MacKay | Independent | |||
| Angela McErlane | None | Incumbent West Harbour Community Board member[13] | ||
| Garreth Ottley | None | [8] | ||
| Conrad Stedman | None | Candidate in the 2025 election. Dunedin City Councillor from 2016 to 2019[3][7] | ||
| Pamela Taylor | None | Candidate in the 2025 election[2] | ||
| Andrew Whiley | None | Candidate in the 2025 election. Dunedin City Councillor from 2013 to 2025[6] | ||
Endorsements
The Otago Daily Times reported on 10 March that councillors Steve Walker, Christine Garey, and Mickey Treadwell had endorsed former mayor Aaron Hawkins; councillors Andrew Simms, Lee Vandervis, and Russell Lund had endorsed former councillor Conrad Stedman.[14]
Results
Results will be released after the election.
| Affiliation | Candidate | Primary Vote | % | Iteration vote | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| to be determined | # | |||||
| Quota | # | |||||
| Informal | ||||||
| Blank | ||||||
| Turnout | ||||||
| Registered | ||||||
| Independent incumbent (deceased) | ||||||
References
- ^ "'Compassionate and smart': Daughter's tribute to Jules Radich". Otago Daily Times. 9 January 2026. Retrieved 18 January 2026.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Miller, Grant (8 February 2026). "'Leadership ready to go': Aaron Hawkins announces by-election bid". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 21 February 2026.
- ^ a b c d Shaw, Ruby (20 February 2026). "Bid for council seat 'bitter-sweet'". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 21 February 2026.
- ^ Miller, Grant (15 January 2026). "Byelection cost could reach $400k, voting to being in April". Otago Daily Times.
- ^ a b Smith, Sam (8 February 2026). "Former Dunedin mayor announces 'unexpected' candidacy for council by-election". Stuff. Retrieved 21 February 2026.
- ^ a b c Miller, Grant (13 February 2026). "Andrew Whiley joins race for vacant Dunedin council seat". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 21 February 2026.
- ^ a b Miller, Grant (6 February 2026). "Two more candidates put hats in ring". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 21 February 2026.
- ^ a b c d Miller, Grant (27 February 2026). "Two more declare candidacy for by-election". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 27 February 2026.
- ^ a b "Nominations received". www.dunedin.govt.nz. Dunedin City Council. Retrieved 3 March 2026.
- ^ "View the 2026 by-election candidates". www.dunedin.govt.nz. Dunedin City Council. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
- ^ "Galer, Acklin to contest by-election". Otago Daily Times Online News. 4 February 2026. Retrieved 27 February 2026.
- ^ "Four new faces on Dunedin council". Otago Daily Times Online News. 12 October 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2026.
- ^ Harwood, Brenda; Henderson, Sam (6 November 2025). "Community board members welcomed at inaugural meetings". The Star. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
- ^ Shaw, Ruby (10 March 2026). "Councillors put Hawkins, Stedman top". Otago Daily Times. Retrieved 9 March 2026.