Love Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai Lower Hutt and want to see your city thrive? Our city needs people from all walks of life on Council. You can stand for election if you:
- are a New Zealand citizen and enrolled to vote.
- have nominations from two people enrolled to vote in Lower Hutt
- complete an official nomination form
- pay a $200 deposit
Candidate handbook
This handbook provides useful information for candidates and voters in the 2025 local elections. It's a guide to help anyone interested in the election understand how it works.
Candidate briefing session
Hutt City Council’s electoral officer, Bruce Hodgins, will host a candidate briefing at the Hutt City Council, 30 Laings Road, Lower Hutt on Monday, 30 June at 5.30pm.
Nominations open on 4 July and close at midday on 1 August 2025.
Find out about standing in the local government elections.
Being a candidate in Local Government elections means stepping into the public eye. With that comes increased scrutiny, and unfortunately, it may also raise the risk of abuse or harassment directed at you or your family. It’s important to take proactive steps to help keep yourself and your loved ones safe during this time. If you experience serious threats or harassment, you should report them to the Police.
For situations that may not warrant police involvement but are still concerning, there are some useful resources below.
Some practical steps to consider now include:
- Use campaign-specific social media accounts rather than your personal ones and restrict access where possible.
- Set up a dedicated campaign email address or phone number instead of using personal or work contact details.
- Be aware of your surroundings when attending public events — know where exits are and stay mindful of your environment.
- Consider your responses in difficult situations. If someone becomes agitated, try to remain calm and look for an opportunity to signal for help or safely end the conversation.
Balancing your public presence with personal safety can be challenging. You want to engage with the community and share your vision while also protecting yourself and those close to you. It’s important to consider how you will manage this balance. Remember: abuse and harassment are never acceptable. Your election campaign should be an exciting and rewarding experience. For many candidates, it is. However, being prepared and informed can help you handle any challenges that may arise.
Here are some further resources that offer advice on safety:
