Invercargill and Bluff residents have just a few days left to decide who has captured their heart, with the deadline for local body elections looming.
Voting for Invercargill City Council, Bluff Community Board, and the Invercargill Licensing Trust was set to close at midday on Saturday, 11 October. Local body elections are held throughout New Zealand every three years.
Invercargill City Council Deputy Electoral Officer Michael Morris said there was no better time than the present for voters to choose their pick of the bunch.
“Cuffing season has arrived. With Election Day fast approaching, now is the time to make things official with your preferred candidates,” he said.
“There are plenty of places throughout Invercargill and Bluff to cast your vote, so fill in your voting documents and pop them into your handbags, reusable shopping bags, or laptop bags and pop them into one of the conveniently-located orange bins.”
Votes can be dropped off at the Election Hub in Invercargill Central, Te Hīnaki – Civic Building, Bluff Service Centre, and Environment Southland on North Rd. They can also be placed in the orange Vote Murihiku bins located at Invercargill City Libraries and Archives, New World Elles Rd and Windsor, Mitre 10 Mega, The Warehouse, Newfield 4 Square, Ascot 4 Square, Bluff 4 Square, Woolworths Tay St and Waikiwi, ILT Stadium Southland, E Hayes and Sons, and Plaza Supervalue.
Votes for any of the Southland councils – Gore and Southland districts, Environment Southland, and Invercargill City – could be returned to any of the orange bins, he said.
“If you’ve misplaced your voting documents, or you forgot to update your details, you can still cast a special vote at the Vote Murihiku Elections Hub in Invercargill Central,” Morris said.
“The team at the hub can help to enrol you, if you haven’t done so already. The final day you’re able to enrol to vote is Friday, 10 October,” he said.
The hub was the only Invercargill location where voters from throughout the whole region could cast a special vote, he said.
So far, 21.94 percent of eligible votes in Invercargill and Bluff had been returned, compared to 11.67 percent at the same point in the last local body elections, held in 2022. However, the voting period in 2025 had opened a week earlier than in previous years, Morris said.
“The decisions made at a local level have an impact on our everyday lives, so it’s vital that people think carefully about who best aligns with their vision for our community’s future,” he said.
“We have worked hard to make voting as accessible and as convenient as possible – now it’s up to the people of Invercargill and Bluff to have their say.”
Invercargill City Council, Southland District Council, Gore District Council, and Environment Southland have come together in collaboration for Vote Murihiku 2025, to encourage as many people across the region to take part in this year’s elections.
Votes for any of the Councils, or the Invercargill Licensing Trust or Mataura Licensing Trust, can be lodged at any Council or at the Vote Murihiku Hub.
Click here for more information about candidates or the elections.
