ACT Local
ACT Local is the local government division of ACT New Zealand. The party announced it would run local candidates for the first time at the 2025 local elections. The party would campaign on limiting rates, opposing local council climate action, opposing the "war" on cars, and opposing co-governance. They supported the anti-Māori ward position in the nation-wide local referendums on the issue.
ACT Local | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Party Leader | David Seymour |
| Local government spokesperson | Cameron Luxton |
| Founded | 2025 |
| Ideology | |
| Political position | Right-wing |
| Colours | |
| Slogan | Real change. Lower Rates |
| Regional councillors | 2 / 132 |
| Local councillors | 6 / 718 |
| Auckland local board members | 1 / 149 |
| Website | |
| actlocal.nz | |
ACT Local is the local government division of ACT New Zealand. The party announced it would run local candidates for the first time at the 2025 local elections. The party would campaign on limiting rates, opposing local council climate action, opposing the "war" on cars, and opposing co-governance. They supported the anti-Māori ward position in the nation-wide local referendums on the issue.
Background
[edit]The party had not put forward local government candidates prior to 2025.[1] Party leader David Seymour told TVNZ's Breakfast that the party had "strong" values related to "saving money, letting people be free to choose and treating people equally".[1] The party was the first national-level right wing party to contest local elections, something typically only the left wing parties had done.[2]
Seymour told the New Zealand Herald that the campaign was "exploratory", saying that better representation was needed on local councils.[3] He said that in 2023 that the country had voted for change but that local councils had not "got the memo" and that it was time for a "clean-out".[4]
Positions and platform
[edit]Rates
[edit]ACT local government spokesperson Cameron Luxton criticised rising rates across the country; he said "Councillors will be standing for cutting waste, reducing rates, and keeping councils focused on their knitting, because that is the problem New Zealanders are facing".[5] Seymour said that the party would be for less "waste" with regards to local council spending, saying that ratepayers were "fed up" with previous councillors that had made promises they had not delivered on.[4] He was "frustrated" at the "inefficiencies" in local councils.[6]
Climate change
[edit]The party announced that their candidates would oppose climate action by local councils. This included opposing funding for emission reductions, disregarding missions from council land use consents, opposing emissions reduction plans, opposing climate emergency declarations, opposing ratepayer-funded climate junkets, and a focus on storm water infrastructure and stop banks. Luxton said the focus on climate action was a cause of massive rates increases.[5]
Public transportation
[edit]Seymour said that the party would oppose efforts "[to get] people out of their cars".[7] He said that councils had been "waging war" on drivers and that ACT candidates would support more choice in transport. He pointed to cycleways and speedbumps as part of this alleged war.[4]
Co-governance
[edit]The party would support getting rid of the "racial discrimination" that had "crept" into council politics,[7] opposing co-governance and Māori wards.[4]
Campaign
[edit]Fundraising
[edit]Candidates would be expected to fund their own campaigns, according to Seymour.[3]
Analysis
[edit]Joel MacManus of The Spinoff said that the party's "core" principles would translate easily to local politics; these principles included cutting spending, reducing rates, ending Māori wards, and ending co-governance.[2] MacManus suggested it could be a good thing as voters often find it hard to know where every local candidate stands, and that an ACT endorsement would be a "simple signifier" of someone's values.[2]
Julienne Molineaux, a senior social sciences lecturer at Auckland University of Technology, noted a tension between clear policy positions put out by the party and the requirements under the Local Government Act for councillors to make decisions with an open mind and to avoid predetermined positions.[8]
Lists of candidates
[edit]2025
[edit]
Radio New Zealand reported on 13 June that the party had finalised its candidate selection.[5] The party was not considering mayoral or Māori ward candidates.[2][3] Seymour said the party was in discussions with sitting councillors,[3] and he claimed that over 300 people had indicated an interest in running.[6] The party began announcing candidates several weeks later.
ACT announced 46 candidates (37 running for local or regional councils, and 9 running exclusively for local boards in Auckland) across 24 councils.[a 1][9]
According to provisional results released on 12 October, nine of the 46 ACT Local candidates (roughly 20%) were elected into local government positions.[10]
| Council | Position | Candidate | Result | Details | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Far North District Council | Bay of Islands-Whangaroa ward councillor | Davina Smolders | Elected | [a 2][11] | |
| Whangarei District Council | Bream Bay ward councillor | Matthew Yovich | Elected | Details | [a 3][11] |
| Kaipara District Council | Otamatea ward councillor | Roger Billington | Not elected | [a 4][11] | |
| Kaiwaka-Mangawhai ward councillor | Nima Maleiki | Not elected | [a 5][11] | ||
| Auckland Council | Albany ward councillor | Samuel Mills | Not elected | Details | [a 6] |
| Hibiscus and Bays local board member | Not elected | ||||
| North Shore ward councillor | Helena Roza | Not elected | [a 7] | ||
| Devonport-Takapuna local board member | Not elected | ||||
| Howick ward councillor | Ali Dahche | Not elected | [a 8] | ||
| Howick local board member | Not elected | ||||
| Manukau ward councillor | Henrietta Devoe | Not elected | [a 9] | ||
| Ōtara-Papatoetoe local board member | Not elected | ||||
| Franklin ward councillor | Dene Green | Not elected | [a 10] | ||
| Franklin local board member | Not elected | ||||
| Papakura local board member | Prasad Gawande | Not elected | [a 11] | ||
| Kaipātiki local board member | Martin Lundqvist | Not elected | [a 12] | ||
| Henderson-Massey local board member | Ben Cox | Not elected | [a 13] | ||
| Hibiscus and Bays local board member | Yang Kang Hong Qu | Not elected | [a 14] | ||
| Howick local board member | Pat Arroyo | Not elected | [a 15] | ||
| Howick local board member | William Goldberg | Not elected | [a 15] | ||
| Ōrākei local board member | Martin Mahler | Not elected | |||
| Ōrākei local board member | Amanda Lockyer | Elected | |||
| Ōrākei local board member | Robert Meredith | Not elected | |||
| Hauraki District Council | Paeroa ward councillor | Michelle Magnus | Not elected | Details | [a 16] |
| Plains ward councillor | Andrew Pickford | Not elected | [a 17] | ||
| Waikato District Council | Tamahere–Woodlands ward councillor | Peter Mayall | Not elected | [a 18] | |
| Hamilton City Council | Western ward councillor | Nidhita Gosai | Not elected | Details | [a 19] |
| Eastern ward councillor | Preet Dhaliwal | Not elected | [a 20] | ||
| Waipā District Council | Cambridge ward councillor | Stuart Hylton | Not elected | [a 21] | |
| Napier City Council | Ahuriri ward councillor | Iain Bradley | Not elected | Details | [a 22] |
| New Plymouth District Council | Kaitake-Ngāmotu ward councillor | Damon Fox | Elected | Details | [a 23] |
| Manawatū District Council | Feilding ward councillor | Aaron McLeod | Not elected | [a 24] | |
| Feilding ward councillor | Jerry Pickford | Elected | [a 25] | ||
| Palmerston North City Council | Te Hirawanui general ward councillor | Glen Williams | Not elected | Details | [a 26] |
| Greater Wellington Regional Council | Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai/Lower Hutt constituency councillor | Nigel Elder | Elected | Details | [a 27] |
| Pōneke/Wellington constituency councillor | Alice Claire Hurdle | Not elected | |||
| Porirua City Council | Pāuatahanui ward councillor | Phill Houlihan | Not elected | Details | [a 28] |
| Wellington City Council | Wharangi/Onslow-Western ward councillor | Ray Bowden | Not elected | Details | [12] |
| Takapū/Northern ward councillor | Mark Flynn | Not elected | [12] | ||
| Motukairangi/Eastern ward councillor | Luke Kuggeleijn | Not elected | [12] | ||
| Marlborough District Council | Marlborough Sounds ward councillor | Malcolm Taylor | Elected | [a 29] | |
| Blenheim ward councillor | John Hyndman | Elected | |||
| Tasman District Council | Motueka ward councillor | David Ross | Not elected | Details | [a 30] |
| Richmond ward councillor | Daniel Shirley | Not elected | [a 31] | ||
| Environment Canterbury | South Canterbury constituency councillor | Toni Severin | Not elected | ||
| Hurunui District Council | South ward councillor | Tom Spooner | Not elected | [a 32] | |
| Waimakariri District Council | Kaiapoi-Woodend ward councillor | Nathan Atkins | Not elected | [a 33] | |
| Selwyn District Council | Kā Mānia Rolleston ward councillor | Chris Till | Not elected | [a 34] | |
| Timaru District Council | Timaru ward councillor | John Bolt | Not elected | [a 35] | |
| Otago Regional Council | Molyneux constituency councillor | Robbie Byars | Elected | Details | [a 36] |
| Dunedin City Council | At-large ward councillor | Anthony Kenny | Not elected | Details | [a 37][13] |
| 24 of 77 councils | 46 candidates | ||||
Electoral performance
[edit]| Election | # of candidates | Winning candidates | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mayor | Council | Board | Regional council | Total | Mayor | Council | Board | Regional council | Total | |
| 2025 | – | 33 | 14 | 4 | 51 | – | 6 / 33
|
1 / 14
|
2 / 4
|
9 / 51 17.6%
|
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b "ACT looks to stand candidates in local council elections". 1News. 18 March 2025.
- ^ a b c d MacManus, Joel (19 March 2025). "Act enters the messy, at times unhinged world of local politics". The Spinoff.
- ^ a b c d Ensor, Jamie (18 March 2025). "Act Party looking to stand candidates in local elections for first time". New Zealand Herald.
- ^ a b c d "ACT seeks candidates to stand in local body elections". The Post. 18 March 2025.
- ^ a b c "ACT's local govt candidates want to oppose attempts to manage emissions". Radio New Zealand. 13 June 2025.
- ^ a b Vailala, 'Alakihihifo (20 March 2025). "'We love to see more Pacific candidates': ACT leader advocates for local govt change". Pacific Media Network.
- ^ a b Perese, Daniel (18 March 2025). "'The answer is to elect better councillors' - Act Party push into local elections". Te Ao Māori News.
- ^ Molineaux, Julienne (4 June 2025). "Just the ticket? The problem with local body candidates aligning with national political parties". The Conversation.
- ^ "Candidates". www.actlocal.nz. ACT Local. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
- ^ Wade, Amelia (12 October 2025). "Why David Seymour is pleased more ACT candidate didn't win local council seats". The Post. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
- ^ a b c d Botting, Susan (1 July 2025). "Medicinal cannabis leader among Act candidates to run for council in Northland". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
- ^ a b c "Wellington election diary: Switching teams and switching biscuits". The Post. 28 June 2025.
- ^ "Ex-navy serviceman named Act candidate". Otago Daily Times. 28 June 2025. Retrieved 1 July 2025.
ACT sources
[edit]- ^ ACT New Zealand (2 August 2025). "ACT Launches Largest Local Government Campaign In New Zealand" (Press release). Scoop. Retrieved 3 August 2025.
- ^ ACT New Zealand (25 June 2025). "Local Business Owner Davina Smolders To Stand With ACT Local In Bay Of Islands–Whangaroa Ward". Scoop.
- ^ ACT New Zealand (25 June 2025). "ACT Announces Matthew Yovich As ACT Local Candidate For Whangarei". Scoop.
- ^ ACT New Zealand (27 June 2025). "ACT Announces Roger Billington As ACT Local Candidate For Kaipara". Scoop.
- ^ ACT New Zealand (27 June 2025). "ACT Announces Dr Nima Maleiki As ACT Local Candidate For Kaipara". Scoop.
- ^ "Barrister And Solicitor Of The High Court, Samuel Mills, Selected As ACT Local Candidate For Auckland Council" (Press release). ACT New Zealand. Scoop. 8 July 2025. Retrieved 8 July 2025.
- ^ ACT New Zealand (9 July 2025). "ACT Announces Helena Roza As ACT Local Candidate For North Shore Ward" (Press release). Scoop. Retrieved 10 July 2025.
- ^ ACT New Zealand (15 July 2025). "ACT Announces Ali Dahche As ACT Local Candidate For Howick" (Press release). Scoop. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ "Henrietta Devoe, Selected as Candidate for Manukau Ward". www.actlocal.nz. ACT Local. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ^ ACT New Zealand (17 July 2025). "Local Business Owner & Advisor, Dene Green, To Stand For Franklin Ward" (Press release). Scoop. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
- ^ ACT New Zealand (15 July 2025). "ACT Announces Prasad Gawande As ACT Local Candidate For Papakura" (Press release). Scoop. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ ACT New Zealand (15 July 2025). "Registered Nurse, Martin Lundqvist, Selected As ACT Local Candidate For Kaipātiki Local Board" (Press release). Scoop. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ^ ACT New Zealand (17 July 2025). "Local Business Owner And Community Volunteer, Ben Cox, Selected As ACT Local Candidate For Henderson-Massey Local Board" (Press release). Scoop. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
- ^ ACT New Zealand (17 July 2025). "Construction Director And Engineer, Yang Kang Hong Qu, Selected As ACT Local Candidate For Hibiscus And Bays Local Board" (Press release). Scoop. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
- ^ a b ACT New Zealand (18 July 2025). "ACT Announces Pat Arroyo, William Goldberg, & Ali Dahche As ACT Local Candidates For Howick" (Press release). Scoop. Retrieved 18 July 2025.
- ^ "Michelle Magnus, selected as candidate for Hauraki District Council". www.actlocal.nz. ACT Local. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ^ ACT New Zealand (30 July 2025). "ACT Announces Andrew Pickford As ACT Local Candidate For Hauraki" (Press release). Scoop. Retrieved 31 July 2025.
- ^ ACT New Zealand (17 July 2025). "Business Leader & Associate Chartered Accountant, Peter Mayall, Selected As ACT Candidate For Waikato District Council" (Press release). Scoop. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
- ^ ACT New Zealand (25 June 2025). "ACT Announces Nidhita Gosai & Preet Dhaliwal As ACT Local Candidates For Hamilton City Council". Scoop.
- ^ ACT New Zealand (25 June 2025). "ACT Announces Nidhita Gosai & Preet Dhaliwal As ACT Local Candidates For Hamilton City Council". Scoop.
- ^ "Stuart Hylton, Selected as candidate for Waipā District". ACT Local. 25 June 2025.
- ^ ACT New Zealand (1 July 2025). "ACT Announces Iain Bradley As ACT Local Candidate For Napier". Scoop.
- ^ ACT New Zealand (25 June 2025). "Local Addictions Clinician, Damon Fox, Selected As ACT Local Candidate For New Plymouth District Council Election". Scoop.
- ^ ACT New Zealand (18 July 2025). "ACT Announces Aaron McLeod & Jerry Pickford As ACT Local Candidates For Manawatū". Scoop.
- ^ ACT New Zealand (18 July 2025). "ACT Announces Aaron McLeod & Jerry Pickford As ACT Local Candidates For Manawatū". Scoop.
- ^ ACT New Zealand (22 July 2025). "Local Business Owner, Glen Williams, Selected As ACT Local Candidate For Palmerston North City Council" (Press release). Scoop. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
- ^ "Nigel Elder Selected as Candidate for Greater Wellington Regional Council". ACT Local. 7 July 2025.
- ^ ACT New Zealand (25 June 2025). "Local Barber And Law Student, Phill Houlihan, Selected As ACT Local Candidate For Porirua City Council Election". Scoop.
- ^ "Malcolm Taylor, Selected as Candidate for Marlborough Sounds Ward". www.actlocal.nz. ACT Local. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ^ ACT New Zealand (24 June 2025). "Retired Pharmacist And Business Owner, David Ross, Selected As ACT Local Candidate For Motueka Ward". Scoop.
- ^ ACT New Zealand (2 July 2025). "ACT Announces Daniel Shirley As ACT Local Candidate For Tasman". Scoop.
- ^ "Industrial Mechanic and Business Owner Tom Spooner, Selected as ACT Local Candidate for Hurunui District Council". www.actlocal.nz. ACT Local. 21 July 2025. Retrieved 21 July 2025.
- ^ ACT New Zealand (24 June 2025). "Business Owner Nathan Atkins To Stand With ACT Local In Kaiapoi-Woodend Ward". Scoop.
- ^ ACT New Zealand (17 July 2025). "Experienced Local Government Leader, Chris Till, Selected As ACT Local Candidate For Selwyn District Council" (Press release). Scoop. Retrieved 17 July 2025.
- ^ ACT New Zealand (22 July 2025). "ACT Announces John Bolt As ACT Local Candidate For Timaru" (Press release). Scoop. Retrieved 22 July 2025.
- ^ "Robbie Byars, Selected as Candidate for Molyneux Ward". www.actlocal.nz. ACT Local. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
- ^ ACT New Zealand (27 June 2025). "Local Business Owner & Former Royal New Zealand Navy Serviceman, Anthony Kenny, Selected As ACT Local Candidate For DCC". Scoop.