Featherston residents can now vote to fill an extraordinary vacancy on South Wairarapa District Council arising from the resignation of Councillor Colin Olds.
Two candidates are standing for election: Peter Biggs and Brenda West (Independent). As the number of candidates exceeds the number of vacancies, voters will choose their preferred candidate by postal vote using the First Past the Post (FPP) voting system.
How to vote
Voting papers will arrive in the post from Monday 31 August onwards for voters enrolled in the Featherston General Ward.
Completed voting papers can be returned by:
- Placing them in an official orange voting bin at Featherston Library, FreshChoice Featherston or South Wairarapa District Council office in Martinborough.
Or
- Post them using the enclosed prepaid envelope, preferably no later than 25 September 2026 to ensure delivery.
Special voting
If you enrol to vote or update your enrolment address after 1 August 2026, you will need to apply for a special vote. Full details are on the Council website, along with information about special voting times and candidate details at swdc.govt.nz/featherston-by-election-2026.
Voting opened today, Monday 31 August, and closes on Friday 2 October at 12 noon.
The Council encourages all eligible voters to take part in this By-election and vote.
ENDS
Media contact
media@swdc.govt.nz