A by-election is required to fill an extraordinary vacancy for the Featherston Community Board. The vacancy has arisen from the recent resignation of Tui Rutherford.
Nominations
Nominations for the above position open on Thursday 26 February 2026 and must be made on the official nomination form. A nomination form and a by-election information sheet can be requested from the South Wairarapa District Council office, 19 Kitchener Street, Martinborough, the Featherston Library, Fitzherbert Street, Featherston or downloaded from www.swdc.govt.nz or from the electoral officer (see contact details below).
Completed nomination documents must be received by the electoral officer no later than noon on Thursday 26 March 2026. Each nomination must be accompanied by a deposit of $200 incl GST, payable by EFTPOS, cash or online banking (see nomination form for bank a/c details).
Candidates are encouraged to also submit a candidate profile statement and recent colour photograph. The requirements for the profile statement and photo are set out in the information sheet. All nomination documents must be lodged together. Candidates should refer to the information sheet for further details.
Electoral roll
A preliminary roll for the by-election can be inspected during normal office hours at the South Wairarapa District Council office, 19 Kitchener Street, Martinborough or the Featherston Library, Fitzherbert Street, Featherston, from Thursday 26 February 2026 to Thursday 26 March 2026.
Residential electors may enrol or amend their enrolment details on the electoral roll:
· Online at www.vote.nz
· By texting your name and address to 3676 to get a form sent to you
· By calling 0800 36 76 56 to ask for a form to be sent to you
· By email request to enquiries@elections.govt.nz
Applications for registration as a ratepayer elector are to be made on the non-resident ratepayer elector enrolment form available from the South Wairarapa District Council office, 19 Kitchener Street, Martinborough and must be returned to the South Wairarapa District Council electoral officer before 4pm Thursday 26 March 2026. Online applications for ratepayer elector registration can also be made through the non-resident ratepayer portal: www.electionz.com/ratepayer
Updates to the preliminary electoral roll close at 4pm on Thursday 26 March 2026.
Election Details
If a voting process is required to fill this vacancy, it will be conducted by postal voting using the First Past the Post (FPP) electoral system. Candidate names will be listed in random order on the voting papers. The voting papers will be mailed out to electors on Monday 4 May 2026 and voting will close at midday on Friday 5 June 2026.
Warwick Lampp
Electoral Officer – South Wairarapa District Council
PO Box 3138, Christchurch 8140
iro@electionz.com 0800 666 048 www.swdc.govt.nz
PDF version- Notice of By-election for the Featherston Community Board