Auckland mayoral election 2025

The story so far

Ahead of the 2025 local elections, Regional and Unitary Councils Aotearoa raised concern about low candidate numbers for several councils, although Auckland Council reported 111 nominations.^{31 Jul 2025} Twelve people nominated for the Auckland mayoralty, and the preliminary candidate list for the council's 127 positions included two councillors running unopposed.^{1, 11 Aug 2025} Incumbent mayor Wayne Brown was criticised for skipping the first official mayoral debate, and at a later debate rivals said he had been largely absent. Challenger Kerrin Leoni pledged to cap rates rises and cut consultant spending.^{14, 27 Aug 2025; 7 Sep 2025} A Freshwater Strategy poll found nearly two-thirds of likely voters intended to back Brown, and turnout was just under 9.2 per cent with two weeks left. After Brown sent a profane reply to a ratepayer lobby group's pledge request, he denied plans to raise rates.^{14, 27 Sep 2025; 2, 3 Oct 2025} Brown was provisionally re-elected with a substantial majority over Leoni, and he and 19 councillors were later sworn in.^{11, 31 Oct 2025}

Latest

Brown and 19 councillors were sworn in at the Auckland Town Hall on Friday evening, and Brown used his speech to criticise the Government.^{31 Oct 2025}

What's next

Brown has set a three-year deadline to complete his goals, including a focus on Auckland Transport and technology before the Christmas break.^{13 Oct 2025}

Key moments

1. 31 Jul 2025Auckland reports 111 nominations amid concern over candidate numbers elsewhere.
2. 1 Aug 2025Twelve people nominate for Auckland mayoralty; two councillors run unopposed.
3. 27 Aug 2025Brown skips the first official Auckland mayoral debate at the University of Auckland.
4. 14 Sep 2025Poll shows Brown with nearly two-thirds of likely voters backing him.
5. 27 Sep 2025Mayoral voter turnout just under 9.2 per cent with two weeks remaining.
6. 2 Oct 2025Brown sends a profane email reply to the Auckland Ratepayers' Alliance.
7. 11 Oct 2025Brown provisionally wins re-election with a substantial majority over Leoni.
8. 31 Oct 2025Brown and 19 councillors sworn in at Auckland Town Hall.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.