Mayor of Lower Hutt

The mayor is the leader of the council. Their job is to promote a vision for the city 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 Lower Hutt City Council mayoral election.

Mayor of Lower Hutt candidates

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Ken Laban

Regional Councillor

Why I'm standing

I want Lower Hutt to be the best place to settle down, raise a family, work and do business. But that's only possible, if you have a mayor that can lead a council that is laser-focused on delivering for you.

About me

I've dedicated my life to serving people – as a community worker, police constable, health board member, regional councillor, Chair of the Hutt Sports Awards, and as a sports broadcaster. These roles may be different, but they've all been about the same thing: standing up for people, keeping communities safe, celebrating our successes, and making sure no one is left behind. My leadership has always been built on unity, not division.

My priorities

  1. Lead a line-by-line budget review in the first 100 days to refocus on delivering on the basics.
  2. Open up new avenues of revenue before raising rates because households are feeling the pinch.
  3. Invest in us by keeping talent in our city through focusing on job creation and supporting businesses.

Get across the policies, candidates and parties

Don’t know who to vote for? Policy.nz is the complete guide to the 2025 local elections. Compare the candidates and policies to see where you stand.

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