The 2022 Wellington City Council election took place on the 8th of October 2022, to elect the Mayor of Wellington, city councillors, and community board members for the 2022–2025 term, as part of nation-wide local elections.
Electoral system.
The election was held using the single transferable vote system. Fifteen councillors were elected across six wards (five general and one Māori ward). This was the first election to feature a Māori ward in Wellington.
Candidates may not spend more than $60,000 on electoral expenses and must disclose details of any donations larger than $1,500.
Mayor.
Nine candidates announced that they would run for mayor, including incumbent Andy Foster. Tory Whanau was endorsed by the Green Party, and Paul Eagle was endorsed by the Labour Party. Following the election, Tory Whanau was elected.
Council.
† indicates the incumbent candidate
Takapū/Northern General ward.
The Takapū/Northern General ward returned three councillors to the city council. Independent councillor Jill Day did not run again in the Takapū/Northern ward but did run for a seat on the Tawa Community Board.
Wharangi/Onslow-Western General ward.
The Wharangi/Onslow-Western General ward returned three councillors to the city council. Incumbent Independent councillor Simon Woolf did not run again.
Pukehīnau/Lambton General ward.
The Pukehīnau/Lambton General ward returned three councillors to the city council.
Incumbent Green Party councillor since 2007 Iona Pannett, who received the most votes in Pukehīnau Lambton Ward in 2019, was not reselected by the Green Party in April 2022, and ran as an independent. Incumbent councillor Tamatha Paul was elected as an independent in 2019, but in May 2022 announced she would seek the Green nomination, which she received in June.
Motukairangi/Eastern General ward.
The Motukairangi/Eastern General ward returned three councillors to the city council.
Incumbent councillor Sarah Free ran as a Green candidate in previous elections, but announced in December 2021 that she would run as an independent in 2022.
Paekawakawa/Southern General ward.
The Paekawakawa/Southern General ward returned two councillors to the city council. Incumbent Labour councillor Fleur Fitzsimons did not run again.
Te Whanganui-a-Tara Māori ward.
Te Whanganui a Tara is a Māori ward created by Wellington City Council in 2021. The 2022 election returned Nīkau Wi-Neera as its first-ever councillor.
Overall Wellington City Council results.
Following the 2022 Wellington local election, councillors affiliated with the Labour and Green parties gained control over the three major committees in the Wellington City Council. Following a month of negotiations and restructuring, Mayor of Wellington Tory Whanau had reduced the number of full council committees from five to three. Labour councillor Rebecca Matthews began chair of the committee in charge of long term-planning, finance and performance. Labour councillors Teri O'Neill and Nureddin Abdurahman became the chair and deputy chair social, cultural, and economic council committee. In addition, Green councillor Tamatha Paul became chair of the new environment and infrastructure committee.
Other local elections.
Tawa Community Board.
The Tawa Community Board is made up of 2 councilors along with 6 representatives who are voted in by residents of Tawa, Grenada North and Takapu Valley.
Mākara / Ōhāriu Community Board.
The Mākara / Ōhāriu Community Board is made up of 6 representatives voted in by residents of
Mākara, Mākara Beach and Ōhāriu. Seven candidates ran but John Apanowicz's candidacy was superseded by winning a seat on the council, leaving the remaining six candidates automatic winners.
Hutt Mana Charitable Trust.
The Hutt Mana Charitable Trust's board of trustees is composed of two trustees elected from Lower Hutt, one from Upper Hutt, one from Porirua and one from Wellington. The Wellington Trustee is only elected by residents north of Khandallah, Ngaio, Mākara and Mākara Beach.