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News and Events / 2026

By-election 2026

• Last Updated

A by-election is required to fill an extraordinary councillor vacancy for the Chatham Islands Council. The vacancy has arisen from the recent resignation of Councillor Pita Thomas.

Timeline

  • Thursday 26 February - Nominations open
  • 12pm Thursday 26 March - Nominations close
  • Monday 4 May - Voting opens
  • Friday 5 June - Voting closes

Nominations

Nominations for the position open on Thursday 26 February 2026 and must be made on the official nomination form.

  • Copies of the nomination form [PDF, 380 KB] and a by-election information sheet [PDF, 343 KB] can be requested from the Chatham Islands Council office.
  • 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 which is available with the nomination form.
  • All nomination documents must be lodged together. Candidates should refer to the information sheet for further details.

Electoral rolls

A preliminary electoral roll for the by-election can be inspected at the Chatham Islands Council office, 13 Tuku Road, Waitangi during office hours from Thursday 26 February to Thursday 26 March 2026.

Residential electors may enrol or amend their enrolment details on the electoral roll:

Applications for registration as a ratepayer elector are to be made on the non-resident ratepayer elector enrolment form(external link) and must be returned to the Chatham Islands Council electoral officer before 5pm Thursday 26 March 2026.

Online applications for ratepayer elector registration can also be made through the non-resident ratepayer portal.(external link)

Updates to the preliminary electoral roll close at 5pm 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 alphabetical 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.

Jo Guise
Electoral Officer – Chatham Islands Council
PO Box 24, Chatham Islands 8942

Jo.guise@chathamislands.govt.nz

(03) 305 0033

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