Voting is officially open for the 2025 local elections, with voting packs hitting mailboxes from today and over the next two weeks.  

And those bright orange voting bins everyone’s been talking about?

They’re live and ready at convenient places near you – supermarkets, shops, a number of iwi headquarters, and community spots across the region.

“The orange bins are impossible to miss,” said deputy electoral officer Chirese Viljoen.

“Voting is now part of your daily routine – no special trips, no hassles, just convenience.

“You can vote while doing your weekly shop at New World, buying kai at at Tāneatua Superette, or studying at a wānanga, amongst a host of other places.

“Voting has never been this easy or this accessible.”

Locations of the orange voting bin locations can be found on the interactive map at www.whakatane.govt.nz/standforsomething, where people can also find candidate videos and profiles, and all the information related to local elections.

“This is it, game time,” said Whakatāne District Council chief executive Steven Perdia.

“Your voting pack is coming to you, and you can drop your vote at places you visit every day.”

Six candidates are standing for the mayoralty, competitive races are under way across wards and community boards, and every voter will help shape the future of local representation through the Māori Wards poll.

“The challenge is on. Last election, only 44 percent of enrolled voters in the Whakatāne district cast their ballots.

“This time, with voting delivered to your door and orange voting bins in multiple locations across the district, there’s zero excuse not to participate.

“Of course, for those who prefer, you can still return your vote via an NZ Post box.”

“The future is shaped by those who vote,” Mr Perdia adds.

“Your community deserves your voice.

“We’ve made it easier than ever – now it’s up to you to use it.”