Elections 2025: Late surge in nominations for Clutha District
A late surge in nominations means there are candidates for every available seat for Clutha District Council and the West Otago and Lawrence-Tuapeka Community Boards.
A total of 37 candidates were received for the 22 available Council elected member roles.
There will be no elections in the Catlins, Kaitangata-Matau and West Otago wards as there was a single nomination for each ward.
There were five nominations for the Clutha Licensing Trust which also does not require an election.
Nominations closed at noon on Friday, 1 August. Those nominated are:
Mayor (elected ‘at large’) | MARTIN, Jock (independent) PAYNE, Ken (independent) |
Councillors (9) | |
Balclutha Ward (2) | BALDWIN, Ruth Kerei BARRETT, Phil FELTS, Wayne HARRISON, Rachel Joanne SMITH, Brendon Russell John |
Milton Ward (1) | BOULTON, Ricardo Bruce (alternative name under review) FROST, Larry Alan (alternative name under review) KEEN, Douglas John KNOWLES, Nanetta Maria MCDONALD, Chris (independent) SOPER, Mark William |
Bruce-Waihola Ward (1) | FINCH, Gaynor MCCROSTIE, Dean (independent) |
Catlins Ward (1) | CATHERWOOD, Dane Joel |
Clinton-Clydevale-Ward (1) | MCATAMNEY, Simon TAPP, Therron Robert THOMSON, Joanne Janetta |
Kaitangata-Matau Ward (1) | GRAHAM, Bruce Roger |
Lawrence-Tuapeka Ward (1) | CHENG, Anne Wai Chin COTTON, Roger James |
West Otago Ward (1) | KENNEDY, Michele |
Community Boards | |
Lawrence-Tuapeka Community Board (6) | CHENG, Anne Wai Chin CROW, Stephen Robert (alternative name under review) DAVIDSON, Geoff DICKEY, Tim MARTIN, Benjamin Bryce RITCHIE, Elizabeth Anne SMITH, Arna |
West Otago Community Board (6) | ALLAN, Sandra CRAWFORD, Cecil DIAMOND, Mark HANNA, Barbara Anne KANE, Robert RICHARDSON, Sonia ROBERTSON, Bruce |
Trust | |
Clutha Licensing Trust members (5) | COCHRANE, Mike HAYWARD, Sarah Leonore LYDERS, Jason MCPHEE, Jared MORRIS, Steve |
Please note – nominations received today are subject to final review by the electoral officer.
Alternative name under review means that the name they wish to use on the ballot paper is pending review by the Electoral Officer e.g. usually a shortened version of their full name.
Voting
Voting opens on Tuesday 9 September and closes Saturday 11 October at noon.
Voting packs will be sent in the mail to those who are enrolled. Special votes can be made at council offices during the voting period. To be counted, all completed voting documents must be in the hands of the electoral officer or an electoral official by noon on Saturday 11 October 2025.
