Find Out What It Takes To Stand For Council

Invercargill Council hosting session for those considering standing in this year’s elections
Briefing covers nominations, campaigning, election rules and roles of elected representatives
Nominations open on 4 July and voting runs from 9 September to 11 October

Thinking of running for Council but unsure what it really involves? Invercargill City Council is holding a special evening session for anyone interested in standing for the upcoming Local Body Elections.

The Election Candidate Briefing will take place at 5.30pm on Wednesday, 11 June in the Drawing Room of the Civic Theatre. This session is designed to explain the entire process of standing for election, from being nominated through to campaigning and the responsibilities that come with being an elected representative.

Deputy Electoral Officer Michael Morris said the evening is a chance for potential candidates to get a full picture of what standing for Council, Environment Southland, or the Invercargill Licensing Trust involves.

“It’s not just about attending Council meetings and voting on issues, there is a wide range of other tasks Elected Members must be prepared to do,” he said.

“The session is designed to give anyone interested in running the key information they will need to know. We will talk about Invercargill City Council, Environment Southland and Invercargill Licensing Trust, and the requirements of standing for each of these, including the rules around signage and what happens if you are elected. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions and get an understanding of what to expect."

The Council includes 12 Councillors and one Mayor, and the Bluff Community Board has five positions. Four standing Committees help carry out Council’s work: Infrastructure and Projects; Community Wellbeing and Regulatory; Finance and Policy; and Risk and Assurance.

Morris said, “We are at a very interesting point for Invercargill City Council. We are up against some challenges, and we know there are a lot of thoughts about how Council should be operating. I encourage anyone interested to come along and learn more so they can then take the next steps to campaign for a seat on Council.”

“Election years are always an exciting time, and standing is a fantastic way of showing how interested you are in our city.”

To be nominated, candidates must be New Zealand citizens aged 18 or over and enrolled on the electoral roll. Two people are required to nominate each candidate. These nominators must also be over 18 and on the Parliamentary Electoral Roll for the area the candidate wishes to represent.

Candidates must complete an official nomination form, provide details of their two nominators, and pay a $200 deposit, which may be refunded depending on the election result.

Thinking about standing for Invercargill City Council, Bluff Community Board, or the Invercargill Licensing Trust?

📅 Election Candidate Briefing Evening
🕠 Wednesday, 11 June at 5.30pm
📍 Drawing Room, Civic Theatre

Invercargill City Council are hosting a Candidate Briefing session to help you understand everything involved in standing for election in 2025. Whether you're interested in Council, the Bluff Community Board, or ILT, this is your opportunity to get the facts before nominations open.

What you'll learn:

🗳️ What you need to stand, including nomination requirements
🗳️ Rules and guidelines for campaigning
🗳️ How to run a successful campaign
🗳️ What happens if you're elected
🗳️ Expectations and responsibilities of Elected Members
🗳️ Key dos and don’ts of standing for local office

If you're passionate about shaping the future of Invercargill and Bluff, this session is for you.

🗓️ Nominations open: Friday, 4 July
⏰ Nominations close: 12pm, Friday, 1 August
🗳️ Election Day: Saturday, 11 October

Come along and get informed.More details can be found on the Elections page of the Invercargill City Council website or by contacting Michael Morris at [email protected]