Representation and Elections

Representation arrangements

South Wairarapa District Council consists of a mayor, who is chairperson of the Council and 10 councillors elected via a constituency system (Wards). Three constituencies represented by three councillors in each are mapped below (Greytown, Martinborough and Featherston Ward). There is also one Māori Ward across the entire South Wairarapa District, with one elected member serving the district at large. The mayor is elected at large.

Māori Wards

Our Māori Ward is called Te Karu o Te Ika a Māui. This name refers to the area of South Wairarapa, to which the lake is the most significant natural landmark, and symbolises the ward being the eyes and ears for tangata Māori in South Wairarapa. The name translates to the eye of the fish of Māui. Māori identify South Wairarapa through landmarks and significant sites of which Te Karu o Te Ika a Māui is one. 

On 11 October 2025, the South Wairarapa District Council election was held. The option to KEEP THE MĀORI WARD received the most votes. The poll result was binding and will apply for South Wairarapa District Council elections to be held in 2028 and 2031.

The number of Māori seats is based on the districts population and therefore, South Wairarapa District is eligible for one Māori ward. This elected member is at large across the district rather than ward based.

Learn more about Māori wards

Community Boards

The South Wairarapa district has three community boards. The composition of each is as follows:

• Featherston Community Board – four members elected by the community plus two ward councillors appointed by Council;
• Greytown Community Board – four members elected by the community plus two ward councillors appointed by Council;
• Martinborough Community Board – four members elected by the community plus two ward councillors appointed by Council.

Representation Review

Councils are required to review their representation arrangements at least once every six years. This review must consider:

• The number of elected members
• The boundaries and names of each Ward
• How many Wards there are
• The number of members that will represent each Ward
• Community Boards and number of elected members on them.

Councils must follow the procedures set out in the Local Electoral Act 2001 when conducting their representation review. They should also follow the guidelines published by the Local Government Commission. 

The Local Electoral Act 2001 gives individuals and community groups the right to make a written submission to the Council on its proposed representation arrangements, as well as the right to be heard if they wish. There is also the right to appeal or object to decisions on the proposed representation arrangements. The Local Government Commission will then make a binding decision on the appeal. 

South Wairarapa District Council undertook a Representation Review for the 2025 local elections. Full details of the review can be found on the consultation page.

Local Body Elections

Local Body Elections 2025

The 2025 Local Body Election was held on Saturday 11 October. Find all related information on the Local Body Elections 2025 webpage.

Local Body Elections 2022

See the Elections 2022 Final Results and Pre-Election Report 2022. A pre-election report provides voters and candidates with information about the key issues facing the South Wairarapa District Council, its financial position and its major projects scheduled in the next three years.

Elections Returns and Expenses

All candidates for the South Wairarapa District Council Elections must file a return of electoral donations and expenses.

2025 Elections Returns and Expenses

All candidates for the South Wairarapa District Council 2022 Triennial Elections must file a return of electoral donations and expenses.

The table below includes the returns of each candidate.

Position	Candidate
Mayor	Leah Hawkins
Mayor	Fran Wilde
Featherston Ward	Colin Olds
Featherston Ward	Karen Coltman
Featherston Ward	Martin Davis
Featherston Ward	Rachel Clarke
Featherston Ward	Rupert Watson
Greytown Ward	Collier Isaacs
Greytown Ward	Martin Bosley
Greytown Ward	Simone Baker
Greytown Ward	Michelle Dawson
Martinborough Ward	Aidan Ellims
Martinborough Ward	Chris Archer
Martinborough Ward	Pip Maynard
Martinborough Ward	Rob Taylor
Martinborough Ward	Storm Robertson
Te Karu o Te Ika a Māui Māori Ward	Andrea Rutene
Te Karu o Te Ika a Māui Māori Ward	Whitu Karauna
Featherston Community Board	Rupert Watson
Featherston Community Board	Anne Hynds
Featherston Community Board	Tanja Schubert-McArthur
Featherston Community Board	Tui Rutherford
Featherston Community Board	Warren Maxwell
Greytown Community Board	Diane Mackenzie
Greytown Community Board	Hilary Beaton
Greytown Community Board	Jo Woodcock
Greytown Community Board	Louise Brown
Greytown Community Board	Michelle Dawson
Greytown Community Board	Neil Morison
Martinborough Community Board	James Brodie
Martinborough Community Board	Melanie Maynard
Martinborough Community Board	Nana Boyle
Martinborough Community Board	Ross Andrew
Greytown Trust Lands Trust	Anna Cassie
Greytown Trust Lands Trust	David Brosnan
Greytown Trust Lands Trust	Phil Holden
Greytown Trust Lands Trust	Paul Broughton

General Elections

New Zealand general elections are held every three years. The Council is not responsible for or involved in General Elections or with Members of Parliament.

The Electoral Commission is responsible for running national general elections. To contact the Electoral Commission, go to www.vote.nz, phone 0800 36 76 56, or email enquiries@elections.govt.nz

See General Elections for information about our policy on election signs.

Information current as at 24 December 2025