Nominations close with eight vying for mayoralty
Eight candidates have declared their intention to run for Mayor of Invercargill in what marks the first open Mayoral race since the 1990s without an incumbent seeking re-election.
Nominations closed at 12 noon on Friday 1 August with a further 27 standing for Council, 7 for Bluff Community Board, and 8 for Invercargill Licensing Trust.
Voting papers will begin arriving from 9 September, when voting opens. It will close at 12 noon on 11 October.
Nominations closing also marks the end of term for several current Elected Members, who have decided not to seek re-election.
Alongside current Mayor Nobby Clark, Councillors Lesley Soper and Peter Kett have decided to step away from their roles, while Bluff Community Board members Sam Graham, Terina Stockwell, and long-serving member Tammi Topi are also not running for re-election.
Council Deputy Electoral Officer and Manager Governance and Legal Michael Morris said the end of the nomination period marked the start of a busy time for both candidates and voters, Morris said.
“Now is the time for candidates to get their names out there and show the people of Invercargill and Bluff just what it is they stand for.
“It is important that voters learn about the people who want to represent them for the next three years. Candidates' profiles and other accompanying information will be on the Council website in the coming weeks.”
Council Acting Chief Executive Trudie Hurst said she was impressed with the number of people who had shown up wanting to represent their community.
“It’s great to see so many passionate people showing the ultimate show of affection for Invercargill and Bluff by putting themselves out there to be an Elected Member.
“This is your opportunity to have your voice heard and to cast a vote for the person who represents what you want to see in Invercargill and Bluff.”
To help voters make an informed decision, Council and Southland Business Chamber are hosting The Great Debate on 19 August. Voters will have the opportunity to take part in a Speed Dating event with Council candidates, then watch as the Mayoral Candidates debate hot issues, moderated by media personality Duncan Garner. More information about this event can be found on the Chamber website.
A voting hub will be established in Invercargill Central on Esk St from Tuesday 9 September with information on all candidates, and be a place to drop off their postal vote, or place a special vote. You can also do these things at Te Hīnaki – Civic Building, Bluff Service Centre, and Environment Southland on North Rd.
Pop-up voting locations will be announced closer to the start of the voting period.
As part of the Vote Murihiku collaboration, voters for Southland District Council and Gore District Council are also able to drop their votes here and into any of the 18 orange voting bins that will be placed around the city.
As well as those already mentioned, bins will be located at Invercargill library, New World Elles Rd and Windsor, Mitre 10 Mega, The Warehouse, Newfield 4 Square, Otatara 4 Square, Ascot 4 Square, Bluff 4 Square, Woolworths Tay St and Waikiwi, Stadium Southland, E Hayes, and Plaza Supervalue.
For those who are yet to enrol but anticipate voting in this year’s local elections, go to vote.nz in the first instance or contact Michael Morris on 03 211 8396 or Michael.morris@icc.govt.nz. The last day to enrol to vote is Friday 10 October.
For more information visit 2025 Elections - Invercargill City Council.
2025 Local Body Election Candidates
Mayor (1 vacancy):
Ria Bond
Tom Campbell
Stevey Chernishov
Andrew Clark
Alex Crackett
Gordon McCrone
Tom Morton
Ian Pottinger
Council (12 vacancies):
Allan Arnold
Ria Bond
Trish Boyle
Steve Broad
Jay Coote
Pania Coote
Alex Crackett
Chris Dawson
Andrea de Vries
Grant Dermody
Carl Heenan
Karl Herman
Carol (CJ) Jasperse
Terry King
Amanda Laurie
Darren Ludlow
Marcus Lush
Lynley McKerrow
David Meades
Tom Morton
Dan O’Connell
Noel Peterson
Ian Pottinger
Ian Reeves
Barry Stewart
Lisa Tou McNaughton
Tony Van Der Lem
Bluff Community Board (five vacancies):
Jo Eruera
Glen Goodall
Ray Fife
Carol (CJ) Jasperse
Frazer Murdoch
Haylee Simeon
Justin Sutherland
Invercargill Licensing Trust (six vacancies):
Sheree Carey
Aaron (Ronnie) Douglas
Graham “Hawksy” Hawkes
Nick Jeffrey
Kane “Big Daddy” Johnson
Angela Newell
Paddy O’Brien
Suzanne Prentice
