Succession starts here: choose leaders who will uphold our mana.

Succession planning isn’t just for boards and volunteer teams. It’s also about who we elect. Councils and Parliament set rules, budgets, and services that shape our mahi, from facilities and funding to how we care for people. When we vote, we choose the leaders we’ll work with over the next term, which affects how well our organisations can plan for the future. Turnout patterns matter: local election participation is often lower than general elections, so every local vote can carry more weight.

Volunteer Kāpiti has a short list of questions gathered from our community. We’ll ask every candidate to respond from a sector point of view, publish a summary, and keep those responses on hand. After the election, we’ll use them to remind elected members of what they said they would do, and support them to uphold the mana of our people and the wider social and community sector we work hard to support.

As a organisation we back fair representation and shared decision-making. Māori wards help ensure dedicated Māori voices at the council table. In Kāpiti, the 2024/25 representation review created a district-wide Māori ward with a Māori Ward population base of about 4,930. That’s about voice, accountability, and better decisions for everyone in our rohe.

If you are unsure of where to start, then here is some kōrero to help spark your thinking:

• Which candidates will strengthen volunteering, honour Te Tiriti, and support Māori wards so decisions reflect our whole community?

• What promises will you ask them to make. and how will you check progress through council plans, submissions, and public forums?

• If your vote is a leadership choice, who are you “appointing” to steward your community for the next three years?

The time to vote is here. For our sector to be heard, valued, and seen, we need to act and make our votes count. At Volunteer Kāpiti, we encourage everyone to do so, because succession starts here, and your vote helps choose leaders who will uphold our mana.

Just in case you’re not aware of the key details, here are the dates and links to KCDC information that were valid at the time of publishing:

How to vote (Kāpiti 2025): Voting packs are posted from Tuesday 9 September 2025. Post your completed papers in the orange prepaid envelope or use ballot boxes at Council offices and libraries.

Special votes: Kāpiti Coast District Council Offices (175 Rimu Road, Paraparaumu) and Ōtaki Library (81–83 Main Street, Ōtaki).

All votes must be received by noon, Saturday 11 October 2025. For full location details and hours, see the Council factsheet.

Helpful links:
https://www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/council/about-council/local-elections/
https://www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/media/1grmlj2j/final-representation-proposal-2024.pdf
https://www.kapiticoast.govt.nz/media/ultlfhzu/kcdc-factsheet-2025.pdf