The 2025 Otago Regional Council election was a local election held from 9 September to 11 October in the Otago region of New Zealand, as part of that year's regional council elections and other local elections held nation-wide.
Voters elected 12 regional councillors for the 2025–2028 term of the Otago Regional Council. Postal voting and the single transferable vote system were used.
Key dates 4 July 2025: Nominations for candidates opened. 1 August 2025: Nominations for candidates closed at 12pm. 9 September 2025: Voting documents were posted and voting opened. 11 October 2025: Voting closed at 12pm and preliminary results released. 17–19 October 2025: Final results will be declared.
Background Representation review Following a representation review, the Otago Regional Council will be made up from 12 councillors elected from four constituencies for the 2025–2028 term: Dunedin (five councillors), Dunstan (four councillors), Molyneux (two councillors) and Moeraki (one councillor). This will be one less councillor representing Dunedin and one more councillor representing Dunstan compared to the 2022–2025 term.
The council also determined to switch from first past the post voting and instead hold this election using the single transferable vote (STV) method.
Parties and tickets In late May 2025, the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand confirmed it would be running several candidates in the 2025 Otago Regional Council, Dunedin mayoral and Dunedin City Council elections. Incumbent Alan Somerville is standing on the party ticket and incumbent Elliot Weir is standing as a Green-endorsed independent.
In mid August 2025, the Vision Otago ticket was formed on a platform of reducing local government rates. Members of Vision Otago included former MP and councillor Hilary Calvert (Dunedin), Carmen Hope (Molyneux), Cr Michael Laws, Cr Gary Kelliher and Nicky Rhodes in the Dunstan ward.
List of candidates Incumbents not seeking re-election Cr Alexa Forbes of the Dunstan constituency confirmed on 22 May 2025 that they would not be seeking re-election. Cr Bryan Scott of the Dunedin constituency vacated his seat in October 2024.
Councillors Dunedin constituency The Dunedin constituency returned five councillors to the regional council.
CandidateAffiliation NotesHilary CalvertVision OtagoFormer ACT MP and Otago regional councillor (2019–2022)James CockleThe Radical Action FactionChanel GardnerNonePhil GlasseyIndependentAlex KingNoneTim MephamIndependentIncumbent councillorAndrew NooneIndependentIncumbent councillorGretchen RobertsonNoneChairwoman and incumbent councillorAlan SomervilleGreenIncumbent councillorElliot WeirIndependentIncumbent councillor. Green Party endorsed.
Dunstan constituency The Dunstan constituency returned four councillors to the regional council.
CandidateAffiliation NotesBen FarrellNoneNeil GillespieNoneIncumbent deputy mayor of the Central Otago District CouncilMatt HollyerNoneAJ Hackett Bungy NZ project and innovation manager and conservationistGary KelliherVision OtagoIncumbent councillorMichael LawsVision OtagoIncumbent councillorAmie PontIndependentNicky RhodesVision Otago
Moeraki constituency The Moeraki constituency returned one councillor to the regional council.
CandidateAffiliation NotesSophia Leon de la BarraNoneKevin MalcolmNoneIncumbent councillor and former Waitaki District Councillor
Molyneux constituency The Molyneux constituency returned two councillors to the regional council.
CandidateAffiliation NotesRobbie ByarsACT LocalDairy farmerCarmen HopeVision OtagoLloyd McCallNoneIncumbent councillorKate WilsonNoneIncumbent councillor
Results
Dunstan constituency
Moeraki constituency
Molyneux constituency
Dunedin constituency
See also 2025 Dunedin City Council election 2025 Dunedin mayoral election 2025 Queenstown-Lakes District Council election
Notes
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