Full Breakdown
New Zealand Local Elections 2025: Key Results and Insights
10/12/2025, 6:13:14 AM
Overview of Election Outcomes
The 2025 local elections in New Zealand have resulted in significant changes across various councils, with notable victories and defeats among candidates. Voter turnout varied, with Auckland recording a participation rate of 23.1%, while Wellington saw a higher turnout of 35.79%. The elections featured a mix of incumbents retaining their positions and newcomers emerging in local governance.
Key Mayoral Results
Wayne Brown was re-elected as Auckland Mayor, securing 146,642 votes, significantly ahead of his closest rival, Kerrin Leoni, who garnered 56,612 votes. Brown expressed relief and a commitment to continue his agenda, stating, “I haven’t quite finished everything I’ve set out to fix.” In Wellington, Andrew Little emerged victorious with 34,240 votes, defeating Karl Tiefenbacher and Ray Chung. Little emphasized the need to “build back trust” within the council.
In Christchurch, Phil Mauger successfully retained his mayoral position with a substantial lead over Sara Templeton, while Tania Tapsell was re-elected as Mayor of Rotorua, focusing on “unfinished business” from her first term.
Notable Candidate Performances
Among the candidates, Jamaine Ross, a TV producer, actively discouraged voters from supporting him, finishing 19th with only 538 votes. His campaign included humorous appeals, such as, “If you vote for me, you’ll break [my daughter’s] heart.” In contrast, 18-year-old Bianca O’Keefe, one of the youngest candidates, finished 14th with 2,041 votes in the Waitakere Ranges local board race.
In Hastings, Wendy Schollum led the mayoral race with 6,177 votes, closely followed by Marcus Buddo with 5,853 votes. The final outcome will depend on special votes yet to be counted.
Voter Engagement and Turnout Trends
The elections highlighted varying levels of voter engagement. Auckland's turnout was notably lower than in previous years, attributed to voter uncertainty about candidates. Lou-Ann Ballantyne, Auckland Council’s General Manager of Governance and Engagement, noted that “when voters are unsure about candidates or are happy with the status quo, they are likely to abstain from voting.”
Conversely, Hawke’s Bay reported a significant increase in voter turnout, while Kaipara District Council achieved its highest turnout in six years.
Criticism and Opposition
Some candidates faced criticism for their campaign strategies. Ray Chung, who made headlines for controversial allegations against former mayor Tory Whanau, expressed shock at his poor performance in the mayoral race. Whanau, who lost her bid for a Maori ward seat, remarked, “democracy has spoken,” reflecting on the election results.
Conflicting Reports and Gaps
As the counting of special votes continues, some races remain too close to call. For instance, the Whakatane District Council mayoral race is separated by just 17 votes, while the Whangarei District Council shows a narrow margin of 67 votes between the incumbent and his challenger.
What's Next
Final results, including special votes, are expected to be released by October 17, 2025. The outcomes will determine the composition of local councils and set the stage for governance in the coming years.
