WBOP Residents Urged to Cast Final Vote Before Election Close

Western Bay of Plenty residents had just one day remaining to have their say in the 2025 Local Body Elections, with ballot boxes closing at midday on Saturday, 11 October. This year saw a record number of ways to vote, with 20 orange voting bins placed throughout the district, voting available at WBOPDC libraries and service centres, and — for the first time — at supermarkets and other local stores.

WBOPDC governance manager Robyn Garrett said that at the last local body elections only 37.6 percent of people in the Western BOP voted, and she hoped the expanded network of voting locations would encourage more residents to participate. Voting papers were posted to households between 9 and 22 September, and while it was too late to return them by mail, they could still be dropped into any orange bin until midday on 11 October.

Most Western BOP residents were able to vote for a Mayor, their ward councillor or councillors, and community board representatives. Residents of Matakana and Rangiwaea Islands could vote only for a Mayor and their ward councillor. The district uses the First Past the Post system, meaning voters simply tick the name of the candidate they most want to represent them, with the candidate receiving the most votes winning.

A referendum on whether to retain the Māori Ward for the 2028 and 2031 elections was also on the ballot this year. Preliminary results, including the outcome of the referendum, were due to be announced on Saturday 11 October, with final results expected between 14 and 17 October.

Originally published in Katikati News (Sun Media).