Our Candidates Handbook gives candidates information about how to complete their nomination form, rules around running in local elections and information on the voting process.
Our Pre-election Report provides information for voters at the next local body elections and for those considering standing at the election as potential candidates.
Candidate information sessions were held on 12 and 14 July.
One session was recorded for any potential candidates who couldn't make it:
Porirua City has a Signs Bylaw and a list of approved signage sites for 2025 that provides all the information about when, where and how to place your signs over the election period. The purpose of our signs bylaw is to ensure your signs are visible to the community, there is fair placement of signs and there is equitable exposure of everyone’s signs.
All signage for elections requires an approved permit by our Bylaws Team. You can apply for a permit to place election signs by completing the application form and emailing to [email protected].
The form submitted must match the sign placed.
The permit application form can be filled in here.
2025 approved signage site list.
Signs and other advertising materials can be displayed from 12 midnight Saturday 9 August 2025 and must be removed by 11:59 pm Friday 10 October 2025.
In summary, all signs must:
Example sign
The maximum permitted surface area of each sign is 3m2 (approximately 1700mm x 1700mm) and placed a maximum of 1800mm from ground level.
Signs in public locations must be single-sided. V-shaped, double-sided signs or signs that block others are not permitted.
Sign materials
Sign stakes must be wooden. Metal waratahs are not permitted.
Signs in public areas can only be installed on the approved list of public sites. A list sites can be found here.
Pāuatahanui site locations: Papakōwhai, Paremata and Whitby
Onepoto site locations: Ascot Park, Cannons Creek, Kenepuru, Rānui, Tītahi Bay and Waitangirua
Signs must not be displayed on or connected to a vehicle that is parked on a road or a public place, if the principal function of the vehicle is to display advertising for local elections.
Vehicle includes: car, truck, bus, van, tractor, trailer, bicycle, motorcycle and any other device similar in appearance or description.
Signs must be placed at least 500 mm from the kerb face or the edge of the vehicle carriageway.
Signs on Waka Kotahi | New Zealand Transport Agency land
If you wish to place signs on Waka Kotahi | New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) land, you must comply with the New Zealand Transport Agency (Signs on State Highways) Bylaw 2010 and the proposed sign be approved by Waka Kotahi | NZTA.
Consent can be obtained by emailing [email protected].
Signs on private property
Signs may be placed on private property on a case-by-case basis based on Porirua City's District Plan.
Signs must to be placed at least 50m away from an intersection.
We can help check your proposed sign locations. Speak to our Bylaws Team about placement recommendations when you apply.
Any unauthorised signs or signs that do not match the description on the application form need to be rectified following a request within 48 hours or be removed if not rectified within an approved timeframe.
Removed signs will be stored at a Council facility and a $50.00 fee will be charged for the return of each sign (after the first occasion).
The Bylaws team will take the upmost care to not to damage or destroy your sign in its removal process, but Council takes no responsbility if damage does occur in this process.
If you have a complaint about the placement of a sign, or you have noticed a sign has been damaged or destroyed, please contact via email our Bylaws Team.
If you have a complaint about the content of a sign, you can lodge a complaint with the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) on their website.
The ASA will consider complaints if they consider it to be in breach of at least one of the following principles from the Advertising Standards Code:
These provide guidance to help current elected members in balancing their roles as an elected member and as a candidate seeking re-election.
Local Government New Zealand have produced this guide with safety advice for candidates and elected members.
Find out more about what being an elected member is like on this page
At the Council Workshop on 20 February 2025, the Electoral Officer and Deputy Electoral Officer presented an open item to Council on the upcoming elections. Please note: the information provided in this session was current at the time of presentation, but may have changed since.
At the Council Workshop on 10 July 2025, the Deputy Electoral Officer presented an open item to Council on the upcoming elections. Please note: the information provided in this session was current at the time of presentation, but may have changed since.
The Deputy Electoral Officer gave an update on the election on Sāmoan Capital Radio on 15 July 2025.
The next stage is campaigning, you can use social media, advertise in newspapers or on billboards, hold meetings with your community to spread the word about your candidacy and attend meet the candidate events.
You should find out what is important to your local community and learn about Porirua’s local government structure and the role of mayor and councillors.
Getting votes
One of the main reasons people do not vote in local election is that they do not know enough about the candidates and their views. To run a successful campaign, you need to let your community know the key issues you support.
Tips for connecting with people:
We'll update this section as we receive questions from candidates for the 2025 local elections.
Signs on trailers are only permitted at the designated signs locations or on private land in traffic safety areas, the same as static signs essentially.
While not specific to election signs, this is covered under the Signs Bylaw. The Bylaw’s definition of a sign includes those displayed on parked vehicles and trailers.
Clause 4.1 of the Signs Bylaw 2020 states:
"Sign and Signage means an advertisement, message or notice conveyed using any visual medium, which advertises a product, business, service, or event or acts to inform or warn any person, and includes: murals, banners, flags, posters, balloons, blimps, sandwich boards, projections of lights or electronic display boards, placards, hoardings or other similar devices (including parked vehicles or trailers where such vehicle or trailer is parked specifically for the purpose of advertising). "
How can I access the Māori Electoral Roll number for Porirua (i.e., by Iwi)?
The Māori Electoral Roll will be available for viewing on Friday 4 July 2025. Te Whata holds statistics on Māori and associated iwi around Aotearoa New Zealand. However, they do not provide specific data for the Porirua area.
Where can I find a nomination form online?
Nomination forms will be available from Friday 4 July 2025. Candidates can access nomination forms on our website, in person from the Administration Building or at our libraries.
What would the commitment of a Ward Councillor be in terms of time? If a Councillor has a full-time job would the Councillor role count as secondary employment?
Councillor roles at Porirua are considered part-time. The majority of Council and Committee meetings and workshops are scheduled on Thursday mornings between 8:30am and 12:30pm. Councillors would also need to set aside time to read agendas and attend community events in the evenings or on weekends.
Where should I get my signs designed and printed?
Council cannot give advice on campaigning including the design and printing of signs.
How will I know where and when the “meet the candidates” event are?
“Meet the candidates” events are run by Porirua’s community groups and organisations not by Council. Council will list events on our website if we receive notification from the community group.
Can I get copies of the past Annual Plans, Long-term Plans and Annual Reports?
Copies of these can be viewed or downloaded from our website:
Have a question? Ask us at [email protected]
