The Tasman District covers 9,786 square kilometres and is bounded to the west by the Matiri Ranges, Tasman Mountains and the Tasman Sea.
To the north Tasman and Golden Bays form its seaward edge, and the eastern boundary reaches the Spencer Mountains and the St Arnaud and Richmond Ranges to the southern boundary of the Victoria Ranges.
Within this area, there are six wards (five geographical and one Māori ward) and 17 settlements. The largest ward, Richmond, borders Nelson in the north of the region. Golden Bay and Motueka also have elected community boards.
Following the introduction of the Local Government (Electoral Legislation and Māori Wards and Māori Constituencies) Amendment Act 2024, any council (city, district or region) that established Māori wards or constituencies since 2020 without holding a poll, was required to hold a poll with their 2025 elections.
The poll, for all electors, is a vote to KEEP or REMOVE Māori wards or constituencies for the relevant council. The outcome of the poll is binding and will apply for at least the next two triennial elections (2028 and 2031).
Tasman District Council established a Māori ward – Te Tai o Aorere in 2023 (by resolution), and as such, was required to hold a poll with their 2025 elections. The option to REMOVE Māori wards for Tasman District Council, effective for the 2028 and 2031 triennial elections, was passed.
The settlement of Richmond, the largest in the District, is a ward in its own right.
View the Stats NZ ward-finding map tool on their website(external link)
For further information regarding Tasman District Council elections and by-elections, please contact us:
