2025 Local Elections

Mayor of Southland

The mayor is the leader of the council. Their job is to promote a vision for the district and lead the development of the council’s plans, policies and budget. The mayor appoints the deputy mayor, establishes committees for particular topics, and appoints chairs for those committees. This is a first past the post (FPP) election, so you vote by ticking the name of your preferred candidate on your ballot paper. Compare the candidates and their policies to decide who to vote for in the Southland District Council mayoral election.

Candidates

Policies

Choose a topic to compare

Climate change and resilience

Climate change and resilience

Environment

Environment

Housing and planning

Housing and planning

Jobs and economy

Jobs and economy

Local democracy

Local democracy

Rates and revenue

Rates and revenue

Recreation and culture

Recreation and culture

Transport

Transport

Utilities and services

Utilities and services

Jobs and economy

Many councils help support local business and economic development. Some promote tourism in their area, or provide business support services and grants.

Jobs and economy

Many councils help support local business and economic development. Some promote tourism in their area, or provide business support services and grants.

  • Encourage local business.

    Provide better roading at less cost to ratepayers through more efficient contracts and better outcomes.

    Enhance rural towns to encourage more tourism and promote lovely scenery like snowy majestic Takitimu mountains.

  • Continue the mayor’s taskforce for jobs programme where Southland topped the South Island for outcomes after the first year getting youth into jobs.

    Ensure rules and policies enable businesses in towns to succeed with the least amount of bureaucracy and red tape.

    Continue supporting Great South to carry out important regional promotion and economic development within communities and businesses.

  • Encourage local business.

    Provide better roading at less cost to ratepayers through more efficient contracts and better outcomes.

    Enhance rural towns to encourage more tourism and promote lovely scenery like snowy majestic Takitimu mountains.

  • Continue the mayor’s taskforce for jobs programme where Southland topped the South Island for outcomes after the first year getting youth into jobs.

    Ensure rules and policies enable businesses in towns to succeed with the least amount of bureaucracy and red tape.

    Continue supporting Great South to carry out important regional promotion and economic development within communities and businesses.

Climate change and resilience

Climate change and resilience

Environment

Environment

Housing and planning

Housing and planning

Jobs and economy

Jobs and economy

Local democracy

Local democracy

Rates and revenue

Rates and revenue

Recreation and culture

Recreation and culture

Transport

Transport

Utilities and services

Utilities and services

Mayor

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Local council

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Regional council

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Local board

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