2013 New Zealand local elections
New Zealand local elections
The 2013 New Zealand local elections (Māori: Nga Pōtitanga ā-Rohe 2013) were triennial elections that were held from 20 September until 12 October 2013 to elect local mayors and councillors, regional councillors, and members of various other local government bodies.
10 of New Zealand's 11 regions and 66 of the 67 cities and districts participated in the election.
Key dates
Key dates for the election as set out by the Electoral Commission are:
Background
Timing
Political commentator Vernon Small thought that the government would likely try and combine the local elections with the asset sales referendum, but this did not happen. Instead, the referendum was held via postal ballot between 22 November and 13 December.
Electoral systems
The local elections were held using postal ballot. Most city and district councils and all but one regional council used the first-past-the-post (FPP) voting system, with the exception of Dunedin City Council, Kāpiti Coast District Council, Marlborough District Council, Palmerston North City Council, Porirua City Council and Wellington City Council. The Wellington Regional Council was the sole regional council that used the STV system. All District Health Boards used the STV system.
Councils under Crown Commission
Environment Canterbury and Kaipara District were under statutory management and no elections were held.
Campaign
Elections
Regional councils
The regional level of government in New Zealand is organised into areas controlled by regional councils.
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