The 2025 Invercargill City Council election was a local election held from 9 September to 11 October in Invercargill, New Zealand, as part of that year's territorial authority elections and other local elections held nation-wide.
Voters elected the mayor of Invercargill, 12 city councillors, and other local representatives for the 2025–2028 term of the Invercargill City Council. Postal voting and the first-past-the-post voting system were used.
Tom Campbell, councillor and deputy mayor since 2022, was elected to the mayoralty, replacing retiring mayor Nobby Clark.
Key dates 4 July 2025: Nominations for candidates opened 1 August 2025: Nominations for candidates closed at 12 pm 9 September 2025: Voting documents were posted and voting opened 11 October 2025: Voting closed at 12 pm and progress results were published later that day 11–12 October 2025: Preliminary results released 16–19 October 2025: Final results were declared.
Background
Positions up for election Voters in the city elected the mayor of Invercargill, 12 city councillors at-large, the members of the Bluff Community Board, and the members of the Invercargill Licensing Trust. They also elected six members of Environment Southland.
Campaign
Debates A mayoral candidates debate hosted by broadcaster Duncan Garner was held at the Ascot Park Hotel. Candidates participating in the debate included Alex Crackett, Ian Pottinger, Ria Bond, Tom Campbell, Steve Chernishov, Tom Morton, and Andrew Clark. The debate covered a range of topics including boosting the local economy and infrastructure. Mayoral candidate Gordon McCrone was excluded by the organiser due to his connection to a controversial website.
List of candidates Incumbents not seeking re-election Nobby Clark, mayor since 2022 Peter Kett, councillor Lesley Soper, councillor since 2016
Mayor CandidateAffiliation NotesRia BondIndependentCouncillor since 2022. Also ran for re-election as a councillor.Tom CampbellNoneDeputy mayor since 2022Stevey ChernishovNoneBrand developer. Previously ran for mayor in 2022.Andrew ClarkNoneBrother of incumbent mayor Nobby Clark. Also ran for mayor in the Tasman District under the name Maxwell Clark.Alex CrackettIndependentCouncillor since 2016. Also ran for re-election as a councillor.Gordon McCroneAdvanced Task Force Political PartyTom MortonIndependentPreviously ran for mayor in 2022. Also ran for council.Ian PottingerNoneCouncillor since 2010. Also ran for council.
Withdrawn Lynley McKerrow, former Invercargill town crier, had announced her intention to run for the mayoralty in June. She withdrew her candidacy for mayor in July, citing not wanting to split the vote, and indicated she would instead just run as a councillor.
Council Twelve councillors were elected at-large to the city council.
CandidateAffiliation NotesAllan ArnoldNoneIncumbent councillor since 2016Ria BondIndependentIncumbent councillor since 2022. Also ran for mayor.Trish BoyleIntegrity, IndependenceIncumbent councillor since 2022Steve BroadNoneIncumbent councillor since 2023Jay CooteIndependentPania CooteConsumer AdvocateIncumbent mana whenua representative for Te Rūnanga o AwaruaAlex CrackettIndependentIncumbent councillor. Also ran for mayor.Chris DawsonNoneGrant DermodyNoneIncumbent councillor since 2022Andrea de VriesNoneCarl HeenanNonePreviously ran in the 2023 council by-electionKarl HermanNonePreviously ran for council in 2022Carol (CJ) JasperseNoneTerry KingAdvocate and Lobbyist for InvercargillAmanda LaurieNoneDarren LudlowNoneIncumbent councillorMarcus LushNoneBroadcaster and former councillor (2021–2022)Lynley McKerrowNoneFormer Invercargill town crierDavid MeadesIndependentPreviously ran in the 2023 council by-electionTom MortonIndependentAlso ran for mayorDan O'ConnellNoneNoel PetersonIndependent- Serving CommunityPreviously ran for council in 2022Ian PottingerNoneIncumbent councillor since 2010. Also ran for mayor.Ian ReevesNonePreviously ran in the 2023 council by-electionBarry StewartNoneIncumbent councillorLisa Tou-McNaughtonPositivity, Partnership and ProgressPreviously ran in the 2023 council by-electionTony van der LemNone
Results
Mayor
Council
Notes
References