Local elections in New Zealand

File:Vote Local logo for 2025 New Zealand local elections.svg{{About|the broader topic|the upcoming local elections|2025 New Zealand local elections}}{{Politics of New Zealand|expanded=Elections}}

Local elections in New Zealand are held every three years to elect local government politicians across the country. Voting occurs from early September until the second Saturday in October via post. Citizens or permanent residents over the age of 18 can vote in the place they live or in a council area they pay rates in. Mayors and local councillors are elected in the cities and districts, while regional councillors are elected in the regions.

Councils run their own elections, determining the number of councillors, number of wards, whether to have Māori wards, and various other aspects of the elections. Councils choose which voting system to use, either first-past-the-post or single transferable vote. Councils choose their own rules regarding campaigning and advertisements, though it is required that before the final day these must be taken down.

In 1989, the Fourth Labour Government launched a series of reforms to local government that meant the number of local bodies (and thus local elections) was greatly reduced. The provinces of New Zealand held elections from 1853 until they were abolished in 1876.

Background

Elections for the district and city councils and regional councils of New Zealand have a fixed election date, unlike general elections. Under section 10 of the Local Electoral Act 2001,{{cite web |title=Local Electoral Act 2001 No 35 (as at 24 January 2009), Public Act |url=http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2001/0035/latest/DLM93441.html?search=ts_act_%5CElectoral++Act_resel&p=1#DLM93441 |publisher=Parliamentary Counsel Office |accessdate=6 June 2010 |archive-date=21 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190321191415/http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2001/0035/latest/DLM93441.html?search=ts_act_%5CElectoral++Act_resel&p=1#DLM93441 |url-status=live }} elections must be held on the "second Saturday in October in every third year" from the date the Act came into effect in 2001. The last local body elections were held on 8 October 2022. The next elections will be held on 11 October 2025.{{update after|2025|10}}

Local elections are mostly organised by the councils themselves, with other organisations (for example the Electoral Commission, and the Department of Internal Affairs) having peripheral roles. The elections determine the membership of district, city, and regional councils. In some places, licensing trusts, community boards and local boards are also voted for.{{cite web |title=What are local elections? |url= https://elections.nz/democracy-in-nz/about-elections/what-are-local-elections/ |publisher=Electoral Commission |accessdate=19 October 2023}} Elections are held by postal voting.

Under New Zealand law, those who are eligible to enrol (18 year of age, lived in New Zealand continuously for at least one year at some time, and are either a New Zealand citizen or a permanent resident) must do so. People can vote in the area where they live, and it is up to voters to decide which address they consider their home (e.g. a student may choose to enrol where they live during term time, or their parents' place if they go home during the holidays).{{cite web |title=Enrol and Vote for the First Time |url=http://www.elections.org.nz/voters/get-ready-enrol-and-vote/enrol-and-vote-first-time |publisher=Electoral Commission |accessdate=9 May 2016 |date=30 March 2016 |archive-date=10 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410193034/http://www.elections.org.nz/voters/get-ready-enrol-and-vote/enrol-and-vote-first-time |url-status=deviated }} If a person owns property in which they do not live, they can also apply to be put onto the ratepayer roll for local elections. That is, an individual may be eligible to vote in more than one voting area for local elections.

Electors of territorial authorities directly elect their city or district's own mayor. Regional councils do not have a directly-elected mayor; instead, a chairperson is chosen from within the ranks of the elected councillors by the council at its first meeting following the elections.

Due to the primary revenue stream of many territorial authorities being property taxes (rates), electors are entitled to register and vote in the local elections of cities, districts and regions where they pay rates but do not reside. About 12,700 such ratepayer votes were cast in 2016.{{Cite web|date=26 June 2019|title='Archaic' law allows multiple-property owners extra voting rights|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/392946/archaic-law-allows-multiple-property-owners-extra-voting-rights|access-date=15 November 2020|website=RNZ |language=en-nz}}

Representation arrangements

The Local Electoral Act 2001 sets out a common framework for election management and allows each council to determine its own rules with regards to voting method (postal or booth), electoral system (first-past-the-post or single transferable vote), number of councillors{{Efn|With a minimum of 6 and a maximum of 29; Auckland is a special case as they are legislated to have 20.}}, number of wards{{Efn|A council may decide for its members to be elected via one at-large ward, many single-member wards, several multi-member wards or a combination thereof.}}, Māori wards{{Efn|Following the passing of the Local Government (Electoral Legislation and Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Act 2024, councils are required to hold a poll of residents before instituting Māori wards or constituencies.}}, and the order of names on the ballot.

The Local Electoral Act 2001 requires councils to review their representation arrangements every six years; councils decide for themselves based on community feedback what the boundaries will be (unlike parliament). Councils are also allowed to review representation arrangements in the year prior to an election. Councils are required to give consideration to "fair and effective representation" when making their decisions.

Appeals on council decisions for general representation arrangements may be appealed to the Local Government Commission. If a council's decision does not meet the statutory definitions of fair and effective representation then it is automatically appealed.

For the regional councils, wards are known as constituencies. There is a legislative requirement for each regional council to have at least two constituencies, due to the large area and population they each govern. Territorial authorities{{Efn|Excluding Auckland Council, which has specifically legislated Local Boards}} may also choose whether or not to establish community boards, which form the lowest and weakest level of local government.{{cite web |title=Glossary |url=http://www.localcouncils.govt.nz/lgip.nsf/wpgurl/Resources-Glossary-Index |access-date=5 February 2017 |website=localcouncils.govt.nz |publisher=Department of Internal Affairs}}

= Māori representation =

Councils can decide to have Māori wards and constituencies, which are seats on the council specifically set aside for Māori. Like Māori electorates in parliament, their purpose is to ensure that Māori are represented in local government.{{cite web |title=Māori Wards |url=https://www.napier.govt.nz/our-council/elections/m/ |publisher=Napier City Council |access-date=16 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210903032712/https://www.napier.govt.nz/our-council/elections/m/ |archive-date=3 September 2021 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Māori constituencies for regional council |url=https://www.nrc.govt.nz/your-council/working-with-maori/maori-seats/ |publisher=Northland Regional Council |access-date=16 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210220184000/https://www.nrc.govt.nz/your-council/working-with-maori/maori-seats/ |archive-date=20 February 2021 |url-status=live}} Whether to have them has been a polarising issue; the Labour, Green, and Māori parties have supported them in order to boost Māori participation in the political process, while National, ACT, and New Zealand First have opposed them on the grounds that they promote ethnic division and alleged separatism.{{cite report |author=Janine Hayward |date= 2002|title=The Treaty Challenge: Local Government and Maori |url=https://www.boprc.govt.nz/media/32503/Maori-200829-TheTreatyChallengeHaywardReport.pdf |publisher=Crown Forestry Rental Trust |pages=23–32 |access-date=22 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180523011457/https://www.boprc.govt.nz/media/32503/Maori-200829-TheTreatyChallengeHaywardReport.pdf|archive-date=23 May 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Scotcher |first1=Katie |title=Māori wards amendment bill passes final reading in Parliament |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/437105/maori-wards-amendment-bill-passes-final-reading-in-parliament |access-date=24 February 2021 |work=Radio New Zealand |date=24 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224112233/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/437105/maori-wards-amendment-bill-passes-final-reading-in-parliament|archive-date=24 February 2021|url-status=live}}

They were first introduced by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council in 2001. Efforts to introduce them to other councils in New Zealand were complicated by the legal requirement to hold referendums on the issue of introducing them..{{cite web|title=Voting and becoming a councillor|url=http://www.localcouncils.govt.nz/lgip.nsf/wpg_url/About-Local-Government-Participate-In-Local-Government-Voting-and-Becoming-a-Councillor#M%C4%81oriwardsandconstituencies|website=localcouncils.govt.nz|publisher=Department of Internal Affairs|access-date=22 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210821191310/https://www.localcouncils.govt.nz/lgip.nsf/wpg_url/About-Local-Government-Participate-In-Local-Government-Voting-and-Becoming-a-Councillor|archive-date=21 August 2021|url-status=live}} As a result, attempts to introduce Māori wards and constituencies were defeated at several polls in New Plymouth, Palmerston North, the Western Bay of Plenty, Whakatāne, Manawatu, and Kaikōura.{{cite news|last1=Utiger|first1=Taryn|title=Resounding no to a Maori ward for New Plymouth district|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/68578894/resounding-no-to-a-maori-ward-for-new-plymouth-district|access-date=22 May 2018|publisher=Stuff|work=Taranaki Daily News|date=15 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303035945/https://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/68578894/resounding-no-to-a-maori-ward-for-new-plymouth-district|archive-date=3 March 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Hurihanganui|first1=Te Aniwa|title=Rejection of Māori wards: 'This is wrong' |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/357912/rejection-of-maori-wards-this-is-wrong|access-date=22 May 2018|work=Radio New Zealand|date=22 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190828014839/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/357912/rejection-of-maori-wards-this-is-wrong|archive-date=28 August 2019|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Mayor 'gutted' after public votes against Māori wards|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/357747/mayor-gutted-after-public-votes-against-maori-wards|access-date=23 May 2018|work=Radio New Zealand|date=19 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116102632/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/357747/mayor-gutted-after-public-votes-against-maori-wards|archive-date=16 November 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Kilmister|first1=Sam|last2=Rankin|first2=Janine|title=Manawatū Māori wards vote a resounding 'no'|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/103926070/manawat-mori-wards-vote-a-resounding-no|access-date=23 May 2018|work=Stuff|date=15 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180707130229/https://i.stuff.co.nz/national/103926070/manawat-mori-wards-vote-a-resounding-no|archive-date=7 July 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Lee|first1=Moana Makapelu|title=Four districts reject Maori wards|url=https://www.maoritelevision.com/news/regional/four-districts-reject-maori-wards|access-date=23 May 2018|publisher=Māori Television|date=21 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211116102642/https://www.teaomaori.news/four-districts-reject-maori-wards|archive-date=16 November 2021|url-status=live}}

In February 2021, the Sixth Labour Government passed the Local Electoral (Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Act 2021, which eliminated the requirement to hold a referendum.{{cite news |last1=Wade |first1=Amelia |title=Bill to abolish local veto on Māori wards passes despite National's marathon opposition |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/bill-to-abolish-local-veto-on-maori-wards-passes-despite-nationals-marathon-opposition/GWDQRDKNJSH5KFAVILXF2NP3EE/ |access-date=24 February 2021 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=24 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224112055/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/bill-to-abolish-local-veto-on-maori-wards-passes-despite-nationals-marathon-opposition/GWDQRDKNJSH5KFAVILXF2NP3EE/ |archive-date=24 February 2021|url-status=live}} This was changed in July 2024, the Sixth National Government passed legislation reinstating the requirement.{{cite news |title=Māori wards bill passes third reading |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/523622/maori-wards-bill-passes-third-reading |access-date=30 July 2024 |work=RNZ |date=30 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240730095311/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/te-manu-korihi/523622/maori-wards-bill-passes-third-reading |archive-date=30 July 2024|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Gabel |first1=Julia |title=Legislation requiring local councils to hold polls on Māori wards passes in Parliament |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/legislation-requiring-local-councils-to-hold-polls-on-maori-wards-passes-in-parliament/AWUG6M36OBECNGE5PSMUEOVMOU/ |access-date=30 July 2024 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=30 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240730104903/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/politics/legislation-requiring-local-councils-to-hold-polls-on-maori-wards-passes-in-parliament/AWUG6M36OBECNGE5PSMUEOVMOU/ |archive-date=30 July 2024|url-status=live}}

As part of this policy reversal, councils that have already established a Māori ward without a referendum were now required to hold a binding poll alongside the that year's nation-wide local elections or to disestablish them.

Electoral systems

Local authorities in New Zealand can opt to hold local elections using either the first past the post (FPP) system{{efn|Technically plurality block voting when applied to elections for multiple vacancies.{{cite web |last1=Roberts |first1=Nigel S. |title=Electoral systems - Local-authority electoral systems |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/electoral-systems/page-7 |website=teara.govt.nz |publisher=Te Ara: the Encyclopedia of New Zealand |access-date=27 May 2025 |language=en |date=20 June 2012}}}} or single transferable vote (STV) system.{{efn|Technically preferential voting when applied to elections for a single vacancy.}} FPP had been used for local authority elections up until the 2004 local elections{{efn|Though STV had previously been used for Christchurch City Council elections in 1917, 1929, 1931 & 1933, and Woolston Borough Council elections in 1917 & 1919.{{cite web |title=STV legislation, background and further information |url=https://www.stv.govt.nz/legislation.shtml |website=www.stv.govt.nz |publisher=Department of Internal Affairs |access-date=23 May 2025 |language=en}}}} when 10 local authorities adopted the use of STV.

STV was introduced as an option by the Local Electoral Act 2001 following advocacy from Green Party co-leader Rod Donald.{{cite news |title=All you'll ever need to know about STV |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/all-youll-ever-need-to-know-about-stv/AZRRYK5LZE6YSU6PNAPSMXNCV4/?c_id=1&objectid=3592038 |access-date=27 May 2025 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=17 September 2004 |language=en-NZ}}{{cite journal |last1=Todd |first1=Stephen W. |title=World-first for Aotearoa – Meek’s method implemented |journal=Mahurangi Magazine |date=1 February 2003 |url=https://www.mahurangi.org.nz/2003/02/01/stv-world-first/ |access-date=23 May 2025 |language=en-NZ}} When using STV, New Zealand uses a modified Meek method to count the votes.{{cite web |title=Choosing Electoral Systems in Local Government in New Zealand {{!}} A Resource Document |url=https://www.dia.govt.nz/diawebsite.nsf/Files/STV/$file/STV.pdf |website=www.dia.govt.nz |publisher=Department of Internal Affairs |access-date=23 May 2025 |page=16 |date=May 2002}}{{Cite Legislation NZ|legislation_type=secondary|link_name=ler2001250 |legislation_title=Local Electoral Regulations 2001 |legislation_number=SR 2001/145 |clause=Schedule 1A|secondary_type=regulations |jurisdiction=true}} The District health boards used STV for their election until they were abolished in 2022.

For the upcoming 2025 local elections, 15 councils will hold their votes using STV:

Dunedin City Council, Far North District Council, Gisborne District Council, Greater Wellington Regional Council, Hamilton City Council, Kapiti Coast District Council, Marlborough District Council, Nelson City Council, New Plymouth District Council, Otago Regional Council, Palmerston North City Council, Porirua City Council, Ruapehu District Council, Wellington City Council and Whangarei District Council.{{cite web |title=STV Information |url=https://www.stv.govt.nz/index.shtml |website=www.stv.govt.nz |publisher=Department of Internal Affairs |access-date=23 May 2025 |language=en}}

Campaigning and advertisements

File:NZLocalElectionsAdvertising.jpg

Rules restricting the use of campaign advertisements are legislated by council by-laws and thus vary wildly across the country. In Wellington, for example, billboards were seen across the city weeks before candidate nominations had even opened for the 2025 elections, as the bylaws allowed signs on private property whenever.{{Cite web |last=Ricketts |first=Emma |date=3 June 2025 |title=Explained: The campaign signage rules for local body elections |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/360703564/explained-campaign-signage-rules-local-body-elections |website=Stuff}}

In Auckland and other places, signs could only be displayed up to nine weeks before the final election day. In Dunedin it is two months before election day, in Christchurch it is nine weeks from the start of voting, and in Hamilton it is three months before election day but only on private property.

In all cases, signs must be removed before the final election day.

=Candidate affiliations=

When running for a local office, a candidate can indicate on their nomination form if they are running with an affiliation or as an independent.{{cite web |title=Local Electoral Act 2001 No 35 (as at 01 April 2025), Public Act 55 Nomination of candidates |url=https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2001/0035/latest/DLM94331.html |website=www.legislation.govt.nz |publisher=Parliamentary Counsel Office |access-date=7 June 2025}} The Local Electoral Act 2001 defines an affiliation as "an endorsement by any organisation or group (whether incorporated or unincorporated)", such as an iwi, hapū or political party,{{cite web |title=Information for Māori candidates |url=https://www.votelocal.co.nz/information-for-candidates/maori-candidates/ |website=www.votelocal.co.nz |publisher=Vote 25 {{!}} Pōti 25 |access-date=7 June 2025 |language=en-NZ}} and the electoral officer can require the candidate to provide evidence that they are eligible to claim such affiliation.{{cite web |title=Local Electoral Act 2001 No 35 (as at 01 April 2025), Public Act 57 Affiliation of candidate |url=https://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/public/2001/0035/latest/DLM94336.html |website=www.legislation.govt.nz |publisher=Parliamentary Counsel Office |access-date=7 June 2025}}

The majority of local government candidates run as independents.{{cite news |last1=Mathias |first1=Shanti |title=Just the ticket: Why election candidates love to campaign with a team |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/local-elections-2022/13-09-2022/just-the-ticket-why-election-candidates-love-to-campaign-with-a-team |access-date=7 June 2025 |work=The Spinoff |date=13 September 2022 |language=en}} In the 2019 elections, 60% of winning candidates did not declare any affiliation on their nomination forms, 18% declared themselves as "independent", 4% declared affiliation with a local ticket and only 3% declared affiliation with a registered political party.{{cite news |last1=Molineaux |first1=Julienne |title=Just the ticket? The problem with local body candidates aligning with national political parties |url=https://theconversation.com/just-the-ticket-the-problem-with-local-body-candidates-aligning-with-national-political-parties-257887 |access-date=7 June 2025 |work=The Conversation |date=4 June 2025}}

Party affiliation for candidates is more common in the main centres of Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington. In 2019, 38% of winning candidates for those councils declared affiliation with a local ticket, 22% declared affiliation with a registered political party, and no candidates left the affiliation section of their nomination forms blank.

National-level political parties Labour, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori each run or endorse candidates for local elections.{{cite news |last1=MacManus |first1=Joel |title=Act enters the messy, at times unhinged world of local politics |url=https://thespinoff.co.nz/politics/19-03-2025/act-enters-the-messy-at-times-unhinged-world-of-local-politics |access-date=7 June 2025 |work=The Spinoff |date=19 March 2025 |language=en}} City Vision in Auckland is jointly affiliated with both Labour and the Greens,{{cite news |last1=Niall |first1=Todd |title=Is National's survey an Auckland Council election play? |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/113632453/opinion-is-nationals-survey-an-auckland-council-election-play |access-date=7 June 2025 |work=www.stuff.co.nz |date=20 June 2019}}{{cite news |last1=Niall |first1=Todd |title=Party affiliation boosts Auckland local election success - research |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/115009071/party-affiliation-boosts-auckland-local-election-success--research |access-date=7 June 2025 |work=www.stuff.co.nz |date=15 August 2019}} and People's Choice in Christchurch is also a Labour-affiliate.{{cite news |last1=Gunn |first1=Andrew |title=Local elections heating up, not in a good way |url=https://www.pressreader.com/search?query=%22Independent%20Citizens%22&newspapers=1272&date=Anytime&orderBy=Date&hideSimilar=0&type=2&state=2 |access-date=7 June 2025 |work=The Press |date=27 August 2022}}{{cite news |last1=Gourley |first1=Erin |title=Why some local candidates are affiliated with political parties |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/local-body-elections/129922696/why-some-local-candidates-are-affiliated-with-political-parties |access-date=7 June 2025 |work=www.stuff.co.nz |date=19 September 2022}}{{cite news |last1=Law |first1=Tina |title=Party politics: A blessing or a curse for local government? |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/127431727/party-politics-a-blessing-or-a-curse-for-local-government |access-date=7 June 2025 |work=www.stuff.co.nz |date=15 January 2022}}

In 2025, the ACT Party announced their intention to run or endorse candidates in that year's local elections, which would be the first time a modern right-wing party has run in local elections. Party leader David Seymour stated that ACT does not intend to stand mayoral candidates for the 2025 elections, but may do so for the 2028 elections.{{cite news |title=No room for ‘pretendependence’: Voters warned about party politics in Christchurch |url=https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/360619117/no-room-pretendependence-voters-warned-about-party-politics-christchurch |access-date=7 June 2025 |work=The Press |date=19 March 2025}}

The National Party does not run or officially endorse candidates in local elections. However, they have been associated with local party tickets such as Communities and Residents in Auckland, and Independent Citizens in Christchurch.

While affiliation with a political party has been associated with increased electoral success, at least in Auckland, many councillors who are elected as independent candidates claim there is "no place for party politics" in local government. In response, candidates openly associated with political parties have accused some so-called "independent" candidates of being disingenuous and hiding their political affiliations.

Participation

Voter turnout at local elections has been consistently low, averaging between 42% and 44% since 2007{{Cite web |last=Manch |first=Thomas |date=13 March 2025 |title=Councils urge switch from postal voting to ballot box for local elections |url=https://www.thepost.co.nz/politics/360612354/councils-urge-switch-postal-voting-ballot-box-local-elections |website=The Post}}

Local elections since 1989

In 1989, local government in New Zealand was significantly reformed and re-organised from around 850 local body entities into just 86 local authorities (regional councils, territorial authorities and unitary authorities).{{cite web |last1=Derby |first1=Mark |title=Local and regional government - Reforming local government |url=https://teara.govt.nz/en/local-and-regional-government/page-5 |website=teara.govt.nz |publisher=Te Ara: the Encyclopedia of New Zealand |access-date=27 May 2025 |language=en |date=20 June 2012}}

= Territorial authorities =

class="wikitable col1right" style="text-align:center;"

|+Territorial authority elections{{Efn|name="tablenote"|Solid dot (●) indicates a Wikipedia article exists; Hollow dot (○) indicates one does not exist. Asterisk (*) indicates a redirect to another article that covers that election.}}

!colspan="2" |Territorial authority

!2025

rowspan="2"|Far North District

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rowspan="2"|Whangārei District

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rowspan="2"|Kaipara District

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rowspan="2"|Auckland City

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| colspan="6" rowspan="14" style="background:lightgrey" |merged into Auckland Council

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|1990

rowspan="2"|Manukau City

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rowspan="2"|Waitakere City

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rowspan="2"|North Shore City

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rowspan="2"|Papakura District

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rowspan="2"|Rodney District

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style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

rowspan="2"|Franklin District

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

rowspan="2"|Auckland

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| rowspan="2" colspan="7" style="background:lightgrey" | didn't exist

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ●

|List

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ●

rowspan="2"|Thames-Coromandel District

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

rowspan="2"|Hauraki District

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ●

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | *

rowspan="2"|Waikato District

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

rowspan="2"|Matamata-Piako District

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

rowspan="2"|Hamilton

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ●

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ●

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ●

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

rowspan="2"|Waipā District

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

rowspan="2"|Ōtorohanga District

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

rowspan="2"|South Waikato District

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

rowspan="2"|Waitomo District

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

rowspan="2"|Taupō District

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

rowspan="2"|Western Bay of Plenty District

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

rowspan="2"|Tauranga

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| rowspan="2" style="padding:0px;background:lightgrey" | {{efn|name="Tauranga1"|No election was held for the Tauranga City Council in 2022 due to the council being under a Crown commission.}}

| style="padding:0px" | ●{{efn|name="Tauranga2"|Election held in 2024}}

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="padding:0px" | ●{{efn|name="Tauranga2"}}

rowspan="2"|Rotorua Lakes District

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ●

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ●

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

rowspan="2"|Whakatāne District

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

rowspan="2"|Kawerau District

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

rowspan="2"|Ōpōtiki District

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

rowspan="2"|Gisborne District

|Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ●

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | *

rowspan="2"|Wairoa District

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

rowspan="2"|Hastings District

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ●

style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | *

|2017

rowspan="2"|Napier

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ●

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | *

rowspan="2"|Central Hawke's Bay District

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

rowspan="2"|New Plymouth District

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ●

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | *

rowspan="2"|Stratford District

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

rowspan="2"|South Taranaki District

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

rowspan="2"|Ruapehu District

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

rowspan="2"|Whanganui District

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ●

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | *

rowspan="2"|Rangitikei District

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ●

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | *

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ●

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

rowspan="2"|Manawatū District

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

rowspan="2"|Palmerston North

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ●

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | *

rowspan="2"|Tararua District

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

rowspan="2"|Horowhenua District

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

rowspan="2"|Kāpiti Coast District

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | *

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | *

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ●

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | *

rowspan="2"|Porirua

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ●

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | *

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | *

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ●

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ●

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

rowspan="2"|Upper Hutt

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | *

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | *

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ●

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ●

rowspan="2"|Lower Hutt

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ●

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | *

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | *

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ●

|List

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ●

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

rowspan="2"|Wellington

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ●

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | *

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ●

|List

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ●

rowspan="2"|Masterton District

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | *

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | *

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ●

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | *

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

rowspan="2"|Carterton District

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | *

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | *

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ●

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | *

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

rowspan="2"|South Wairarapa District

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | *

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | *

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

rowspan="2"|Tasman District

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ●

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | *

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

rowspan="2"|Nelson

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ●

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ●

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | *

rowspan="2"|Marlborough District

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ●

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | *

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

rowspan="2"|Buller District

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

rowspan="2"|Grey District

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

rowspan="2"|Westland District

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

rowspan="2"|Kaikōura District

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

rowspan="2"|Hurunui District

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

rowspan="2"|Waimakariri District

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

rowspan="2"|Christchurch

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ●

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ●

rowspan="2"|Banks Peninsula District

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| rowspan="2" colspan="7" style="background:lightgrey" | merged with Christchurch City Council

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

rowspan="2"|Selwyn District

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

rowspan="2"|Ashburton District

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

rowspan="2"|Timaru District

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

rowspan="2"|Mackenzie District

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

rowspan="2"|Waimate District

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

rowspan="2"|Waitaki District

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

rowspan="2"|Central Otago District

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

rowspan="2"|Queenstown-Lakes District

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

rowspan="2"|Dunedin

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ●

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ●

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ●

rowspan="2"|Clutha District

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

rowspan="2"|Southland District

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

rowspan="2"|Gore District

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

rowspan="2"|Invercargill

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ●

|List

style="font-size:80%" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ●

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ●

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

|1993

rowspan="2"|Chatham Islands

| style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" | Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="font-size:80%;text-align:right" |Mayor

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" |*

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

= Regional councils =

class="wikitable col1right" style="text-align:center;"

|+Regional council elections{{Efn|name="tablenote"}}

!Regional council

!1989

!1992

!1995

!1998

!2001

!2004

!2007

!2010

!2013

!2016

!2019

!2022

!2025

Northland Regional Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ●

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

Auckland Regional Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| colspan="6" style="background:lightgrey" |merged into Auckland Council

Waikato Regional Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

Bay of Plenty Regional Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

Hawke's Bay Regional Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ●

Taranaki Regional Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

Horizons Regional Council
(Manawatū-Whanganui Regional Council)

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

Greater Wellington Regional Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | *

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | *

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ●

Nelson-Marlborough Regional Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| colspan="12" style="background-color:lightgrey" | disestablished{{efn|Functions went to Nelson, Tasman & Marlborough District Councils.}}

West Coast Regional Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

Environment Canterbury
(Canterbury Regional Council)

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| colspan="2" style="background:lightgrey" |commission

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

Otago Regional Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ●

Environment Southland
(Southland Regional Council)

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

Local elections before 1989

=Mayoral elections=

class="wikitable col1right" style="text-align:center;"

|+Municipal mayoral elections (19th century){{Efn|name="tablenote"}}{{Efn|name="non-exhaustive"|This list is non-exhaustive; mayoral elections for other places took place during the period.}}

! Mayor

!1842

!1865

!1866

!1867

!1868

!1869

!1870

!1871

!1872

!1873

!1874

!1875

!1876

!1877

!1878

!1879

!1880

!1881

!1882

!1883

!1884

!1885

!1886

!1887

!1888

!1889

!1890

!1891

!1892

!1893

!1894

!1895

!1896

!1897

!1898

!1899

!By-election

Auckland

|colspan="7" style="background:lightgrey" |

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |○

Hamilton

|colspan="14" style="background:lightgrey" |

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |○

Napier

|colspan="11" style="background:lightgrey" |

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |○

Hastings

|colspan="22" style="background:lightgrey" |

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |*

|style="background:lightgrey" |?

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |*

|style="background:lightgrey" |?

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |*

Lower Hutt

|colspan="27" style="background:lightgrey" |

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |○

Wellington

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |●

|colspan="9" style="background:lightgrey" |

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |●

|1879

Christchurch

|colspan="12" style="background:lightgrey" |

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |●

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |●

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |●

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |●

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |○

Dunedin

|style="background:lightgrey" |

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |●

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |○

Invercargill

|colspan="7" style="background:lightgrey" |

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |●

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |●

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |●

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |●

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |●

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |●

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |●

|1887

class="wikitable col1right" style="text-align:center;"

|+Municipal mayoral elections (1901–1950){{Efn|name="tablenote"}}{{Efn|name="non-exhaustive"}}

!Mayor

!1901

!1902

!1903

!1904

!1905

!1906

!1907

!1908

!1909

!1910

!1911

!1912

!1913

!1914

!1915{{efn|Starting from 1915, mayoral elections began taking place biennially.}}

!1917

!1919

!1921

!1923

!1925

!1927

!1929

!1931

!1933

!1935{{efn|Starting from 1935, mayoral elections began taking place triennially.}}

!1938

!1941

!1944

!1947

!1950

!{{nowrap|By-elections}}

Auckland

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |●

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |●

Hamilton

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |○

Napier

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |●

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |○

| style="background:lightgrey" |{{efn|name="HBearthquake"}}

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |○

Hastings

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |*

| style="background:lightgrey;"|{{Efn|name="HBearthquake"|In 1931, a devastating earthquake hit Hawke's Bay. Elections in the region were not held that year because of this.}}

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |*

Lower Hutt

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |●

|1921{{br}}1949

Wellington

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |●

Christchurch

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |●

|1936

Dunedin

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |●

Invercargill

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |●

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |●

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |●

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |●

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |●

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |●

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |●

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |●

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |○

|1938{{br}}1942

class="wikitable col1right" style="text-align:center;"

|+Municipal mayoral elections (1951–1988){{Efn|name="tablenote"}}{{Efn|name="non-exhaustive"}}

!Mayor

!1953

!1956

!1959

!1962

!1965

!1968

!1971

!1974

!1977

!1980

!1983

!1986

!{{nowrap|By-elections}}

Auckland

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |●

|1957

Hamilton

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |○

|1976

Napier

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |○

Hastings

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |*

Porirua

|colspan="3" style="background:lightgrey" |

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |●

Lower Hutt

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |●

Wellington

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |●

Christchurch

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |●

|1958

Dunedin

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |●

Invercargill

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |●

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |●

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |○

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px;" |●

=Council elections=

==Auckland==

1986

==Wellington==

1986

==Porirua==

1983 • 1986

Provincial elections

The provinces of New Zealand had responsible government from 1853 until 1876 when they were abolished. Under the New Zealand Constitution Act 1852, elections were held for the councils and superintendents of the provinces every four years.{{Cite web |date= |title=The New Zealand Constitution Act 1852 |url=https://ndhadeliver.natlib.govt.nz/webarchive/20210104000423/http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-GovCons-t1-body-d1-d1.html |website=New Zealand Electronic Text Collection}}

The New Provinces Act 1858 allowed for the creation of new provinces other than the original six. These provinces would not directly elect their superintendents.{{cite news|title=A Bill to provide for the Establishment of new Provinces in New Zealand |url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=HBH18580828.2.6 |access-date=10 July 2010 |work=Hawke's Bay Herald |volume=1 |issue=49 |date=28 August 1858 |page=2 }}

File:New Zealand, administrative divisions - en - colored (1852).svg

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"

|+Provincial elections{{Efn|name="tablenote"}}

!colspan="2"|Province

!–

!–

rowspan="2" style="text-align:right"| Auckland Province

| style="text-align:right;font-size:80%;"| Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | *

|style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="background:lightgrey" rowspan="4"|

|style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="background:lightgrey" rowspan="10"|

style="text-align:right;font-size:80%;"| Superintendent

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | *

|style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="text-align:right" rowspan="2"| New Plymouth Province (1853–1859){{br}}Taranaki Province (1859–1876)

| style="text-align:right;font-size:80%;"| Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | *

|style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="text-align:right;font-size:80%;"| Superintendent

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | *

|style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="text-align:right" | Hawke's Bay Province

| style="text-align:right;font-size:80%;"| Council

| style="background:lightgrey" colspan="2"|

|style="padding:0px" | ○{{efn|Hawke's Bay Province was created in 1858; its first election was in 1859.}}

|style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="text-align:right" rowspan="2"| Wellington Province

| style="text-align:right;font-size:80%;"| Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | *

|style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="background:lightgrey" rowspan="4"|

|style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="text-align:right;font-size:80%;"| Superintendent

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | *

|style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="text-align:right" rowspan="2"| Nelson Province

| style="text-align:right;font-size:80%;"| Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | *

|style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="text-align:right;font-size:80%;"| Superintendent

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | *

|style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="text-align:right" | Marlborough Province

| style="text-align:right;font-size:80%;"| Council

| style="background:lightgrey" colspan="2"|

|style="padding:0px" | ○{{efn|Marlborough Province was created in 1859; its first election was in 1860.}}

|style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="text-align:right" | Westland Province

| style="text-align:right;font-size:80%;"| Council

| style="background:lightgrey" colspan="7"|

|style="padding:0px" | ○{{efn|Westland Province was created in 1873 and had its first and only election in 1874.}}

style="text-align:right" rowspan="2"| Canterbury Province

| style="text-align:right;font-size:80%;"| Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | *

|style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="background:lightgrey" rowspan="4"|

|style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

| style="background:lightgrey" rowspan="5"|

style="text-align:right;font-size:80%;"| Superintendent

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | *

|style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="text-align:right" rowspan="2"| Otago Province

| style="text-align:right;font-size:80%;"| Council

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | *

|style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="text-align:right;font-size:80%;"| Superintendent

| style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | *

|style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

style="text-align:right" | Southland Province

| style="text-align:right;font-size:80%;"| Council

| style="background:lightgrey" colspan="3"|

|style="font-size:150%;padding:0px" | ○

|style="background:lightgrey" |{{efn|Merged back into Otago in 1870.}}

Notes

References

External links

[http://www.lgnz.co.nz/ Local Government New Zealand]

Local elections in New Zealand

Background

Representation arrangements

= Māori representation =

Electoral systems

Campaigning and advertisements

=Candidate affiliations=

Participation

Local elections since 1989

= Territorial authorities =

= Regional councils =

Local elections before 1989

=Mayoral elections=

=Council elections=

==Auckland==

==Wellington==

==Porirua==

Provincial elections

See also

Notes

References

External links