NZ Local Elections 2025

Mayor of Southland

The mayor is the leader of the council. Their job is to promote a vision for the district 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 Southland District Council mayoral election.

Candidates

Policies

Choose a topic to compare

Climate change and resilience

Climate change and resilience

Environment

Environment

Housing and planning

Housing and planning

Jobs and economy

Jobs and economy

Local democracy

Local democracy

Rates and revenue

Rates and revenue

Recreation and culture

Recreation and culture

Transport

Transport

Utilities and services

Utilities and services

Housing and planning

Local councils are responsible for land use planning under the Resource Management Act, which affects where and how new houses are constructed, as well as the design of cities and towns. In some areas, councils also provide housing to those who need it most.

Housing and planning

Local councils are responsible for land use planning under the Resource Management Act, which affects where and how new houses are constructed, as well as the design of cities and towns. In some areas, councils also provide housing to those who need it most.

  • Implement policy to enhance small rural towns, urban spaces and streets.

    Restrict overloading of properties with buildings that lead to parking on road reserves and require all tiny homes to be consented.

    Utilise the plenty of land available in Southland.

  • Continue the spatial planning programme that was started this term to ensure proper planning for the future of towns.

    Continue to find opportunities around short-term rental concerns in tourism hotspots that are creating long-term rental shortages.

    Ensure all building and resource consents are carried out efficiently with a 'how can' approach and the least amount of bureaucracy.

  • Implement policy to enhance small rural towns, urban spaces and streets.

    Restrict overloading of properties with buildings that lead to parking on road reserves and require all tiny homes to be consented.

    Utilise the plenty of land available in Southland.

  • Continue the spatial planning programme that was started this term to ensure proper planning for the future of towns.

    Continue to find opportunities around short-term rental concerns in tourism hotspots that are creating long-term rental shortages.

    Ensure all building and resource consents are carried out efficiently with a 'how can' approach and the least amount of bureaucracy.

Climate change and resilience

Climate change and resilience

Environment

Environment

Housing and planning

Housing and planning

Jobs and economy

Jobs and economy

Local democracy

Local democracy

Rates and revenue

Rates and revenue

Recreation and culture

Recreation and culture

Transport

Transport

Utilities and services

Utilities and services

Mayor

Compare the mayoral candidates in your area

Explore

Local council

Compare the candidates for your city or district council

Explore

Regional council

Compare the candidates for your regional council

Explore

Local board

Compare the candidates for your local or community board

Explore