Nelson Pre-Election Report Released As Nominations Open
Nominations for the 2025 election opened on Friday 4 July and close at noon on 1 August 2025. People who want to stand as Mayor or as a Councillor need to fill out the forms linked below.
Chief Executive Nigel Philpott says Council must evolve to ensure it meets the expectations of its community now and in the future.
'As a city, and as a Council, we are open for business—not just in what we say, but in how we operate,' he says.
'We're actively working to reduce barriers in support of growth and innovation and create an environment where enterprise and community can thrive in a sustainable way. At the same time, we need to take a leadership role in our community's drive to reduce climate change emissions and make sound choices about some important investment decisions.'
The report sets out Council's financial and strategic position, along with the opportunities and challenges that are anticipated in the next triennium.
'I encourage you to read this report—whether you're considering standing for Council, preparing to vote, or simply interested in Nelson's future – as its purpose is to set out an accurate picture of Council that can inform political debate in the election run-up.'
The election will take place while Council staff continue work to deliver our Shaping Our Future programme.
Shaping Our Future is about Council doing things differently—ensuring that our services and processes work effectively for Nelson — not just for today, but for the years ahead. As part of this, we are looking at how we can create a future-proofed Council that is more efficient, adaptable, and focused on delivering the best possible services to our community.
'As Council has grown into a large and complex organisation managing more than $2.5 billion of assets, so too has the expectation placed upon it,' says Nigel.
'Council's role is to act as a good custodian of our existing assets, providing value for money and excellent services. We will invest in our city where there is a strong strategic need to do so, but we will also seek to improve and maintain what we already have while maintaining a particular focus on keeping our costs under control.'
One of the most significant investment decisions on the horizon is how Council addresses the condition of Elma Turner Library and Civic House.
Both buildings are vital public assets that are at the end of their lives, making them increasingly more expensive to maintain.
'These buildings have inherent limitations compared to modern facilities and are no longer fit-for-purpose in their current form,' says Nigel.
'Elma Turner Library—originally a repurposed car showroom made up of an assortment of extensions, some dating back to the 1950s—has required costly interim strengthening works,' says Nigel.
'If ageing systems in Civic House or the Library were to fail this would result in large unbudgeted capital expenditure at short notice and the buildings would not be able to be occupied until systems were restored.
'The solutions aren't straightforward, but they are achievable. Public consultation will be a key part of determining how we respond to these legacy infrastructure challenges in a way that balances cost, risk, and long-term value for our community.'
To do this most effectively, Council is considering a new approach for the next Long Term Plan that would cap our planned budgets and place greater emphasis on maintaining and renewing the assets we already have to ensure we develop an achievable and affordable ten year work programme.
Forms required to stand for Mayor or as a councillor in the 2025 election.
To find out everything you need to know about standing as an elected member or voting in the 2025 Local Elections please visit our website: https://www.nelson.govt.nz/1your-council/elections/22025-triennial-council-election
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