Nominations are in for the Western Bay region – with a total of 55 people putting themselves forward to represent their communities in this year’s local body elections.
Nominations for the 33 positions available in the Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s 2025 electoral race closed at midday on Friday 1 August, with a mix of familiar names returning and new faces stepping forward.
There are eight candidates vying for the position of Mayor – Suaree Borell, Grant Dally, James Denyer, Danielle Faa’soo, John Holyoake, Rodney Joyce, Margaret Murray-Benge and Don Thwaites.
Three candidates – Carlton Bidois, Suaree Borell and Darlene Dinsdale – have stepped forward for the rohe’s (District’s) first Māori Ward seat, Waka Kai Uru.
There are six candidates for the two Katikati-Waihī Beach General Ward seats, nine candidates for the three Kaimai General Ward seats, and six candidates for the three Maketu-Te Puke General Ward seats.
In Katikati, there are eight community board candidates, Maketu has six, and Waihī Beach has six.
The new community board subdivisions have attracted 14 candidates – three for Ōmokoroa, three for Kaimai West, two for Kaimai East, four for Te Puke and two for Eastern.
Over the coming weeks people will have the opportunity to learn more about the candidates – with written profiles published on Council’s Your Place Tō wahi website (www.yourplace.westernbay.govt.nz/elections) on 19 August, followed by 90-second candidate videos which will be uploaded to Council’s YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/wbopdc) and Your Place Tō wāhi, on 25 August.
Robyn Garrett, Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s Governance Manager, congratulates everyone who made the decision to stand for their community.
“We know putting your name forward isn’t a small thing. For many, it can feel like a bold or even daunting step – so regardless of what happens next, you’ve already shown courage and commitment to your community,” she said.
Following a recent representation review, the Council structure changed for the 2025 and 2028 elections. This year, most residents will vote for a Mayor, their Ward Councillor(s), and their Community Board representatives. Matakana and Rangiwaea Islands residents will vote for a Mayor and their Ward Councillor(s), as they are not part of a community board area.
Western Bay of Plenty District Council uses the First Past the Post (FPP) voting system. That means you simply tick the name of the person you most want to represent you in each category — the candidate with the most votes wins.
If you were not enrolled by 1 August, you are still able to enrol and vote in the Election by way of a special vote. To cast a special vote, you will need to come into any of Council’s five Library and Service Centres, complete a declaration and you will be issued your special voting papers to complete and return.
Voting timeline
The key dates for the 2025 local elections are:
- 19 August – candidate 150-word profile statements published on Your Place Tō wāhi (www.yourplace.westernbay.govt.nz/elections)
- 25 August – 90-sec candidate videos uploaded to Council’s YouTube channel and Your Place Tō wāhi (www.yourplace.westernbay.govt.nz/elections)
- 9 September – Voting opens
- 9–22 September – Voting papers delivered to enrolled voters
- 7 October – Final day to post your vote in a NZ Post box
- 11 October (midday) – Voting closes
Elections 2025 – Confirmed Candidates
Confirmed candidates for the 2025 Local Body Elections in the Western Bay of Plenty are listed in alphabetical order.
Mayor (1 vacancy)
| Name: |
| Suaree Borell |
| Grant Dally |
| James Denyer |
| Danielle Borell Faa’soo |
| John Holyoake |
| Rodney Joyce |
| Margaret Murray-Benge |
| Don Thwaites |
Katikati-Waihī Beach General Ward (2 vacancies)
| Name: |
| John Clements |
| Andy Earl |
| Rodney Joyce |
| Allan Sole |
| Wayne Stevenson |
| Candice Thomas |
Maketū-Te Puke General Ward (3 vacancies)
| Name: |
| Shane Beech |
| John Bowden |
| Grant Dally |
| Laura Rae |
| Manvir Singh Mann |
| Andy Wichers |
Kaimai General Ward (3 vacancies)
| Name: |
| Drew Cowley |
| Tracey Coxhead |
| Chris Dever |
| Danielle Borell Faa’soo |
| Graeme Elvin |
| Murray Grainger |
| Destiny Leaf |
| Margaret Murray-Benge |
| Don Thwaites |
Waka Kai Uru Māori Ward (1 vacancy)
| Name: |
| Carlton Bidois |
| Suaree Borell |
| Darlene Dinsdale |
Katikati Community Board (4 vacancies)
| Name: |
| John Clements |
| Barry Ebert |
| Anne Henry |
| Norm Mayo |
| Annie McClenaghan |
| James Sayer |
| Puran Singh |
| Candice Thomas |
Maketū Community Board (4 vacancies)
| Name: |
| Sue Elliot |
| Weina Moko |
| Stephan Simpson |
| Cecil (Moki) Thomas |
| Leni (Beau) Walters |
| Aleisha Waterhouse |
Waihī Beach Community Board (4 vacancies)
| Name: |
| Ross Goudie |
| Heather Guptill |
| Annette Inglis |
| Gail Kelly |
| Nicky Mowat |
| Wayne Stevenson |
Ōmokoroa Community Board Subdivision (2 vacancies)
| Name: |
| Chris Dever |
| Allan Hughes |
| Murray Marshall |
Kaimai West Community Board Subdivision (2 vacancies)
| Name: |
| Tina Akuhata |
| Cherie Palm |
| Tania Tuhakaraina |
Kaimai East Community Board Subdivision (2 vacancies)
| Name: |
| Bevan Rakoia |
| Keith Wisnesky |
Te Puke Community Board Subdivision (3 vacancies)
| Name: |
| Kassie Ellis |
| Dale Snell |
| Karen Summerhays |
| Marara Williams |
Eastern Community Board Subdivision (2 vacancies)
| Name: |
| Sally Benning |
| Manvir Singh Mann |
