ACT Local

Last updated

ACT Local
Party Leader David Seymour
Local government spokesperson Cameron Luxton
Founded2025;0 years ago (2025)
Ideology
Political position Right-wing
Colours
  •   Magenta
  •   Cyan
  •   Yellow
SloganReal change. Lower Rates
Regional councillors
0 / 131
Local councillors
0 / 705
Mayors
0 / 67
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.

Contents

Background

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

Rates

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

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

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

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

Fundraising

Candidates would be expected to fund their own campaigns, according to Seymour. [3]

Analysis

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

2025

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:

CouncilPositionCandidateDetailsNotes
Far North District Council Bay of Islands-Whangaroa ward councillorDavina Smolders [a 1] [9]
Whangarei District Council Bream Bay ward councillorMatthew Yovich Details [a 2] [9]
Kaipara District Council Otamatea ward councillorRoger Billington [a 3] [9]
Kaiwaka-Mangawhai ward councillorNima Maleiki [a 4] [9]
Auckland Council Albany ward councillorSamuel Mills Details [a 5]
North Shore ward councillorHelena Roza [a 6]
Howick ward councillorAli Dahche [a 7]
Manukau ward councillorHenrietta Devoe [a 8]
Ōtara-Papatoetoe local board member
Franklin ward councillorDene Green [a 9]
Franklin local board member
Papakura local board memberPrasad Gawande [a 10]
Kaipātiki local board memberMartin Lundqvist [a 11]
Henderson-Massey local board memberBen Cox [a 12]
Hibiscus and Bays local board memberYang Kang Hong Qu [a 13]
Howick local board memberPat Arroyo [a 14]
Howick local board memberWilliam Goldberg [a 14]
Hauraki District Council Paeroa ward councillorMichelle Magnus Details [a 15]
Plains ward councillorAndrew Pickford [a 16]
Waikato District Council Tamahere-Woodlands ward councillor [a 17]
Tamahere–Woodlands ward councillorPeter Mayall [a 18]
Hamilton City Council Western ward councillorNidhita Gosai Details [a 19]
Eastern ward councillorPreet Dhaliwal [a 20]
Waipā District Council Cambridge ward councillorStuart Hylton [a 21]
Napier City Council Ahuriri ward councillorIain Bradley Details [a 22]
Central Hawke's Bay District Council Aramoana-Ruahine ward councillorJames Ebbett [a 23]
New Plymouth District Council Kaitake-Ngāmotu ward councillorDamon Fox Details [a 24]
Palmerston North City Council Te Hirawanui general ward councillorGlen Williams Details [a 25]
Greater Wellington Regional Council Te Awa Kairangi ki Tai/Lower Hutt constituency councillorNigel Elder Details [a 26]
Manawatū District Council Feilding ward councillorAaron McLeod [a 27]
Feilding ward councillorJerry Pickford [a 28]
Porirua City Council Pāuatahanui ward councillorPhill Houlihan Details [a 29]
Wellington City Council Wharangi/Onslow ward councillorRay Bowden Details [10]
Takapū/Northern ward councillorMark Flynn [10]
Motukairangi/Eastern ward councillorLuke Kuggeleijn [10]
Marlborough District Council Marlborough Sounds ward councillorMalcolm Taylor [a 30]
Tasman District Council Motueka ward councillorDavid Ross Details [a 31]
Richmond ward councillorDaniel Shirley [a 32]
Hurunui District Council South ward councillorTom Spooner [a 33]
Waimakariri District Council Kaiapoi-Woodend ward councillorNathan Atkins [a 34]
Selwyn District Council Springs ward councillorZoran Rakovic [a 35] [11]
Rolleston ward councillorChris Till [a 36]
Timaru District Council Timaru ward councillorJohn Bolt [a 37]
Otago Regional Council Molyneux constituency councillorRobbie Byars Details [a 38]
Dunedin City Council At-large ward councillorAnthony Kenny Details [a 39] [12]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "ACT looks to stand candidates in local council elections". 1News . 18 March 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 MacManus, Joel (19 March 2025). "Act enters the messy, at times unhinged world of local politics". The Spinoff .
  3. 1 2 3 4 Ensor, Jamie (18 March 2025). "Act Party looking to stand candidates in local elections for first time". New Zealand Herald .
  4. 1 2 3 4 "ACT seeks candidates to stand in local body elections". The Post . 18 March 2025.
  5. 1 2 3 "ACT's local govt candidates want to oppose attempts to manage emissions". Radio New Zealand . 13 June 2025.
  6. 1 2 Vailala, 'Alakihihifo (20 March 2025). "'We love to see more Pacific candidates': ACT leader advocates for local govt change". Pacific Media Network .
  7. 1 2 Perese, Daniel (18 March 2025). "'The answer is to elect better councillors' - Act Party push into local elections". Te Ao Māori News .
  8. ↑ Molineaux, Julienne (4 June 2025). "Just the ticket? The problem with local body candidates aligning with national political parties". The Conversation .
  9. 1 2 3 4 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.
  10. 1 2 3 "Wellington election diary: Switching teams and switching biscuits". The Post . 28 June 2025.
  11. ↑ Thomson, George (2 July 2025). "Zoran Rakovic selected as ACT local candidate for Selwyn Council". Chris Lynch Media. Retrieved 2 July 2025.
  12. ↑ "Ex-navy serviceman named Act candidate". Otago Daily Times . 28 June 2025. Retrieved 1 July 2025.

ACT sources

  1. ↑ ACT New Zealand (25 June 2025). "Local Business Owner Davina Smolders To Stand With ACT Local In Bay Of Islands–Whangaroa Ward". Scoop .
  2. ↑ ACT New Zealand (25 June 2025). "ACT Announces Matthew Yovich As ACT Local Candidate For Whangarei". Scoop .
  3. ↑ ACT New Zealand (27 June 2025). "ACT Announces Roger Billington As ACT Local Candidate For Kaipara". Scoop .
  4. ↑ ACT New Zealand (27 June 2025). "ACT Announces Dr Nima Maleiki As ACT Local Candidate For Kaipara". Scoop .
  5. ↑ "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.
  6. ↑ 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.
  7. ↑ ACT New Zealand (15 July 2025). "ACT Announces Ali Dahche As ACT Local Candidate For Howick" (Press release). Scoop . Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  8. ↑ "Henrietta Devoe, Selected as Candidate for Manukau Ward". www.actlocal.nz. ACT Local. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  9. ↑ ACT New Zealand (17 July 2025). "Local Business Owner & Advisor, Dene Green, To Stand For Franklin Ward" (Press release). Scoop . Retrieved 17 July 2025.
  10. ↑ ACT New Zealand (15 July 2025). "ACT Announces Prasad Gawande As ACT Local Candidate For Papakura" (Press release). Scoop . Retrieved 15 July 2025.
  11. ↑ 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.
  12. ↑ 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.
  13. ↑ 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.
  14. 1 2 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.
  15. ↑ "Michelle Magnus, selected as candidate for Hauraki District Council". www.actlocal.nz. ACT Local. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  16. ↑ ACT New Zealand (30 July 2025). "ACT Announces Andrew Pickford As ACT Local Candidate For Hauraki" (Press release). Scoop . Retrieved 31 July 2025.
  17. ↑ ACT New Zealand (25 June 2025). "ACT Announces Andrew Pickford As ACT Local Candidate For Waikato". Scoop .
  18. ↑ 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.
  19. ↑ ACT New Zealand (25 June 2025). "ACT Announces Nidhita Gosai & Preet Dhaliwal As ACT Local Candidates For Hamilton City Council". Scoop .
  20. ↑ ACT New Zealand (25 June 2025). "ACT Announces Nidhita Gosai & Preet Dhaliwal As ACT Local Candidates For Hamilton City Council". Scoop .
  21. ↑ "Stuart Hylton, Selected as candidate for Waipā District". ACT Local . 25 June 2025.
  22. ↑ ACT New Zealand (1 July 2025). "ACT Announces Iain Bradley As ACT Local Candidate For Napier". Scoop .
  23. ↑ ACT New Zealand (23 June 2024). "Local Transport Specialist, James Ebbett, Selected As ACT Local Candidate For Central Hawke's Bay Election". auckland.scoop.co.nz. Scoop . Retrieved 24 June 2025.
  24. ↑ ACT New Zealand (25 June 2025). "Local Addictions Clinician, Damon Fox, Selected As ACT Local Candidate For New Plymouth District Council Election". Scoop .
  25. ↑ 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.
  26. ↑ "Nigel Elder Selected as Candidate for Greater Wellington Regional Council". ACT Local . 7 July 2025.
  27. ↑ ACT New Zealand (18 July 2025). "ACT Announces Aaron McLeod & Jerry Pickford As ACT Local Candidates For Manawatū". Scoop.
  28. ↑ ACT New Zealand (18 July 2025). "ACT Announces Aaron McLeod & Jerry Pickford As ACT Local Candidates For Manawatū". Scoop .
  29. ↑ ACT New Zealand (25 June 2025). "Local Barber And Law Student, Phill Houlihan, Selected As ACT Local Candidate For Porirua City Council Election". Scoop .
  30. ↑ "Malcolm Taylor, Selected as Candidate for Marlborough Sounds Ward". www.actlocal.nz. ACT Local. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  31. ↑ ACT New Zealand (24 June 2025). "Retired Pharmacist And Business Owner, David Ross, Selected As ACT Local Candidate For Motueka Ward". Scoop.
  32. ↑ ACT New Zealand (2 July 2025). "ACT Announces Daniel Shirley As ACT Local Candidate For Tasman". Scoop .
  33. ↑ "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.
  34. ↑ ACT New Zealand (24 June 2025). "Business Owner Nathan Atkins To Stand With ACT Local In Kaiapoi-Woodend Ward". Scoop.
  35. ↑ ACT New Zealand (2 July 2025). "Local Structural Engineer, Zoran Rakovic, Selected As ACT Local Candidate For Selwyn District". Scoop .
  36. ↑ 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.
  37. ↑ ACT New Zealand (22 July 2025). "ACT Announces John Bolt As ACT Local Candidate For Timaru" (Press release). Scoop . Retrieved 22 July 2025.
  38. ↑ "Robbie Byars, Selected as Candidate for Molyneux Ward". www.actlocal.nz. ACT Local. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  39. ↑ 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 .
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