Being a candidate

How to become a candidate

Nominations to be a candidate will open on Friday 4 July 2025. The nomination forms will be made available online, at the Council’s administration building, and at our libraries.

To stand as a candidate:

• Decide on the role(s) you're running for (Mayor or Councillor).
• Find two people in enrolled to vote, in the ward you want to run for, to nominate you.
• Fill out the nomination form and return it before 12pm, Friday 1 August 2025.
• Pay a $200 deposit per role you’re standing for.

How many positions you can be elected for

You can be a candidate for:

• Mayor
• Councillor

You can run for both Mayor and Councillor, you just need to complete two separate nomination forms. If you are elected to more than one position, you will take the highest-ranked position.

You cannot be a candidate for more than one ward (for example, you cannot stand for both a General Ward and the Māori Ward).

What candidates need to do

The next stage is campaigning, you can use social media, advertise in newspapers or on billboards, hold meetings with your community to spread the word about your candidacy and attend Meet the Candidates events.

You should find out what is important to your local community and learn about Porirua’s local government structure and the role of Mayor and Councillors.

Getting votes

One of the main reasons people do not vote in local election is that they do not know enough about the candidates and their views. To run a successful campaign, you need to let your community know the key issues you support.

Tips for connecting with people:

• Use social media channels like Facebook or Instagram for wider reach.
• Door-knock, attend public meetings and talk to the public in shopping malls or at weekend markets.
• Look for interview opportunities on the radio, in local newspapers or in magazines.
• Advertise your views in newspapers or on billboards.