By Moana Ellis, Local Democracy Reporting
The contest for Whanganui’s mayoralty and council seats is officially underway, with nominations confirmed for the 2025 local government elections.
Incumbent mayor Andrew Tripe is seeking re-election and will face councillors Josh Chandulal-Mackay and Peter Oskam, as well as candidate Gregory McPhee.
A total of 23 nominations have been received for the 10 General Ward seats, and five have been lodged for two seats in the newly established Māori Ward.
Whanganui District Council made the decision to introduce a Māori ward in 2023 and reaffirmed it last year. A referendum on the future of Māori wards will be held at the same time as the election.
For the Whanganui Rural Community Board, there are nine nominations. However, only the Whanganui subdivision will be contested.
Increase voting
Council democracy services manager Anna Palamountain said the council aims to increase voter turnout.
In 2022, turnout for Whanganui was 46.44 per cent or 15,611 votes, up from 44.17 per cent in the 2019 elections.
“Our target is 50 percent voter turnout. We’re aiming to increase voting participation with community outreach, particularly in areas where voter turnout has traditionally been low,” Palamountain said.
As part of this effort, council staff had met with community groups and this would continue in the lead-up to voting in September.
“When people from all parts of our community vote, we’re more likely to see a council that truly reflects the diversity of our district,” Palamountain said.
“This means more representative decision-making around the council table.”
The council had also doubled the number of orange voting bins to 16. Their locations will be published closer to voting time.
Special votes
In September, focus would shift to promoting and supporting special voting for those who had not enrolled by August 1.
“The deadline to enrol and receive voting papers by mail has passed but you can still enrol and vote by casting a special vote,” Palamountain said.
Special voting means a voter won’t get election papers in the mail but can collect them in person from council staff during the voting period.
“We’ll have special voting available at council offices as well as at a series of community pop-up events, including the Up the Vote event in late September.
“If you haven’t enrolled yet, we’d encourage you to do so – stand up, be counted.”
Full list of candidates
Mayor (1 vacancy):
• Josh Chandulal-Mackay
• Gregory McPhee
• Peter Oskam
• Andrew Tripe
Whanganui General Ward (10 vacancies):
• Philippa Baker-Hogan
• Jason Bardell
• Glenda Brown
• Josh Chandulal-Mackay
• Julian Emmett
• Ross Fallen
• Awhi Haenga
• Mike Hos
• Tracey Jarman
• Kate Joblin
• Sandra Kyle
• Michael Law
• Gregory McPhee
• Charlotte Melser
• Michael Organ
• Rob Oscroft
• Peter Oskam
• Scott Phillips
• Jay Rerekura
• Tony Sundman
• Rob Vinsen
• Robin Westley
• Azian Z
Whanganui Māori Ward (2 vacancies):
• Kiritahi Firmin
• Julie Herewini
• Geoff Hipango
• Hayden Potaka
• Phil (Bear) Reweti
Whanganui Rural Community Board:-
Whanganui Community Subdivision (2 vacancies):
• Kiritahi Firmin
• Jenny Tamakehu
• Daryn Te Uamairangi
• David Wells
Kai Iwi Community Subdivision (3 vacancies) – elected unopposed:
• Jack Bullock
• Brian Doughty
• Quintin Handley
Kaitoke Community Subdivision (2 vacancies) – elected unopposed:
• Charlie Anderson
• Bill Ashworth
Awa FM – Te Reo Irirangi o Whanganui
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