Stand for Council – Make a Difference in the Grey District

Standing for Council is your opportunity to shape the future of the Grey District for your community. Local Government in New Zealand is a rapidly changing environment and it is an exciting time to be involved.

To be eligible to stand as a candidate you must be:

• Enrolled as a parliamentary elector anywhere in New Zealand.
• A New Zealand citizen.
• Nominated by two electors whose names appear on the electoral roll for the constituency for which you wish to stand.

Persons considering nominating candidates, and potential candidates also need to know:

• Candidates cannot nominate themselves for office.
• Candidates must consent to their nomination.
• Evidence of NZ Citizenship must be provided with your nomination.
• A deposit ($200 including GST) must be paid per issue when the nomination is lodged. This can be paid using cash, eftpos or electronic banking.
• To help voters identify candidates, a recent photo and a 150-word profile statement can be included with the nomination form. The profile and photo will be published in the candidate profile booklet sent out with the voting documents.
• All nomination documents must be submitted together (e.g. nomination form, deposit, photo, candidate profile statement). You must also provide evidence with your nomination that you are a NZ citizen.
• Candidates may withdraw their nomination at any time before close of nominations. Notification must be in writing on the prescribed form available from the Electoral Officer.
• A candidate cannot voluntarily withdraw their nomination after close of nominations, unless a candidate has become incapacitated after the close of nominations and before the close of voting.
• No candidate can be employed or assist with the conduct of the election, nor be appointed as a scrutineer of any election conducted in the District.
• Deposits will be refunded to candidates, except where they poll less than 25% of the vote of the lowest polling successful candidate for FPP elections.

Prospective candidates are encouraged to read the Grey District Council Candidate Information Handbook (when it becomes available). This is also available on this website or by emailing elections@greydc.govt.nz.

The Pre-election Report outlines the key issues facing the Council and the district over the coming years and profiles the Council’s current and forecast financial position to assist candidates in their campaigns. This report will be available mid-July 2025.

Nomination forms will be available here closer to the time, or by emailing elections@greydc.govt.nz or at the Grey District Council office, 105 Tainui St, Greymouth.

Candidates standing for election to a local authority can start campaigning at any time. There are however specific protocols for current elected members seeking re-election and this is detailed more fully in the Candidate Handbook (to be available closer to the time). Signage can be erected three months prior to polling day, (date to be confirmed) and must be removed by midnight (date to be confirmed). Rules around size and placement of signs are detailed in the Candidate Handbook.

The Grey District Council’s Facebook page must not be used for electioneering purposes. Any post – positive or negative – made by any individual specifically relating to their own, or someone else’s nomination, intention to run for Council or election campaign, will be removed immediately.

Campaign advertising is subject to the following rules:

• Advertisements are defined as anything published in a newspaper, periodical, notice, poster, pamphlet, handbill, billboard or card, or broadcast over radio or television.
• Advertisements must be authorised in writing by the candidate or the candidate's agent.
• Advertisements must contain a statement setting out the true name and contact details of the person or persons for whom or at whose direction they are published. Contact details means: a residential or business address, an email address, a PO Box number, a phone number or a link to a page on an internet site that contains any of the details listed.
• Campaign expenses incurred by or on behalf of candidates during the three months before polling day (the applicable period) must be included in the candidate's electoral expenses return. Details of campaign expenditure limits are outlined in the Candidate Handbook (to be available closer to the time).