Nominate or Stand
Local government only succeeds if people who care for their communities are prepared to serve and stand for office. As an Elected Member of Council or a community board, you’ll be making a positive difference for Kāpiti Coast’s people and communities today and into the future.
This year there will be a Māori ward alongside the general ward. Voters on the general electoral roll will vote in their general ward, while those on the Māori electoral roll will vote in the Māori ward.
The process for becoming a candidate in either ward is the same.
The nomination period for the local elections closed on 1 August at 12 noon sharp.
As an elected member, you will:
- Be involved in community engagement with your council
- Commit to ensuring all voices are heard
- Work to build and protect a culture of inclusion and belonging
- Demonstrate your commitment to honouring the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi – The Treaty of Waitangi
Good governance balances short- and long-term responsibilities. Your role will focus on the overall performance of Council, including how it meets community expectations and aspirations, fulfils statutory obligations, and manages assets.
You can read the 2025 Candidate Information Handbook [PDF 12.34 MB] for detailed information on the election process, including the electoral system (single transferable vote – STV), rules on campaigning and election signs, induction processes, and more.
2025 Candidate information briefing
We also encourage you to read the Pre-election Report 2025 which outlines the role of Council governance (Elected Members) in addressing local needs, and summarises our strategic direction, and major projects and finances over the past and next three years. It also outlines the major challenges and issues facing our district, encouraging informed discussions for both candidates and voters.
Resources for prospective candidates
There are also some great resources available for prospective candidates, including Local Government New Zealand’s pre-election learning which is available online through its Ākona platform.
There you will find short videos on the structure, roles and funding of local government, and modules on what is involved in the life of an elected member.
Staying safe in the online world
The free to lead toolkit can support women with a public profile or who use online spaces as part of their mahi, and their employers, gain practical tools and strategies to act against instances of online harm.
The toolkit includes two practical modules and a powerful video series, Beyond the Keyboard, featuring seven high-profile New Zealand women sharing their real experiences of navigating the online world.
While this toolkit was designed for women who have a public profile, the guidance in this module can be helpful to anyone navigating the online world.
Factsheet, FAQs and handbook
- 2025 Candidate Information Handbook [PDF 12.34 MB]
- Election Services: Kāpiti Factsheet 2025 [PDF 267 KB]
- Election Services: Frequently Asked Questions [PDF 777 KB]