Local election year has opened in the district with the first mayoral candidate announcing a bid.
Frances Helen Kitching, aka Dame Fran Wilde, has entered the South Wairarapa mayoral election race and already made high rates increases and infrastructure woes two of her key issues for the campaign.
Wilde, 76, who lives in Greytown, can point to a distinguished political career.
It includes: three years as Wellington’s first woman mayor, 11 years as an MP, including moving the Homosexual Law Reform Act and Adopotion Reform Act, three years as a Cabinet minister, and nine years on the Wellington Regional Council _ including eight as chair.
Three years on Capital and Coast District Health Board was followed by her taking the chair at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa in 2019.
Wilde was appointed a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2017 for services to the State and the community.
KEY DATES FOR THE 2025 LOCAL BODY ELECTIONS:
- 4 July 2025 Candidate nominations open and roll opens for public inspection
- 1 August 2025 at 12 noon Candidate nominations close and roll closes
- 6 August 2025 Public notice of candidates’ names
- 9-22 September 2025 Voting documents delivered
- 7 October 2025 Last day for posting vote by mail. After this date votes must be returned to secure council ballot boxes.
- 11 October 2025 12 noon Election day – voting closes midday
- 11 October 2025 from 12 noon Progress results
- 16-22 October 2025 Declaration of results.
