Our next local elections are on 8 October 2022, but it’s never too early to start thinking about them. Find out all about standing as a candidate, voting and enrolling.
Every three years, the people of Christchurch get to vote for a Mayor, councillors and community board members to represent our diverse communities.
If you want to represent your community, putting your name forward as a candidate is one of the most fulfilling steps you can take. We're encouraging all residents to consider standing, and the Council is supporting all candidates with all the information they’ll need. See below.
Want to stand for Mayor, Councillor or Community Board?
Do you care about your community?
Is there something you want to change or protect?
Are you ready to make challenging decisions?
Ōtautahi Christchurch’s elected members are our decision-makers. Their calls, big and small, can change the course of our city for generations to come. All have different points of view and diverse backgrounds. But they all share one thing in common: they made the decision to represent their community by choosing to stand as a candidate.
Our next local elections are on 8 October 2022, but it’s never too early to start thinking about.
The diverse communities all across Christchurch and Banks Peninsula need representatives who truly reflect them and their interests.
Nominations close on Friday 12 August.
Find out everything you need to know as a candidate.(external link)
Come along to one of our candidate information sessions
We're holding two candidate information sessions in June, to give those of you who are considering taking the step an insight into what's involved.
Ask questions, hear from Chief Executive Dawn Baxendale and Electoral Officer Jo Daly, and learn all about representing your community and the elections process.
The sessions are at the Function Room, Level 1, Te Hononga Civic Offices, 53 Hereford Street on the following dates:
- Wednesday 22 June, 4.30pm
- Thursday 30 June, 6pm
Best access is via Worcester Boulevard. Our public facilities are open in Orange with no capacity limits. However, where possible, one-metre physical distancing from others should be maintained, and masks are still required indoors in all our facilities for anyone aged 12 years and over.
Voting
How do you vote?
What area am I voting in?
How do I cast a special vote?
The election will be held by postal vote, which means New Zealand Post delivers voting documents to all enrolled voters. Voting opens on Friday 16 September 2022 and closes at noon on Saturday 8 October 2022.
Once you've received your voting papers, you should complete your voting document, seal it in the return postage-paid envelope and post or deliver it back to a Council location. Locations for delivery will be published with elections information.
People who do not receive a voting paper in the post will be able to request and complete a special vote.
Find out all about voting and special voting.(external link)
Enrolling to vote
How do you get your voting papers?
What if you've never voted before?
What is the residential roll, and what is the ratepayer roll?
If you love Christchurch, enrol to vote so you can have a say on the people who will make decisions that shape your community.
You can enrol at any time, but the electoral roll closes on 12 August 2022. Making sure you're enrolled now, with all your details up to date, means all your voting papers are mailed out to you ahead of the election.
What's happening and when?
When do you need to have your nomination form in by?
When can you start voting?
When will the results be announced?
All your questions are answered below.
| Early July 2022 | Candidate information booklet and nomination forms are available. |
| Friday 15 July 2022 | Nominations open. Electoral roll opens. |
| Friday 12 August | Nominations close at noon. Electoral roll closes. |
| Friday 16 September | Voting and special voting begins. |
| Saturday 8 October | Election day. Voting closes at noon, and the progress results will be available that afternoon. |
| From Thursday 13 October | Final results are declared. |