Papatoetoe by-election attracts 20 candidates after last year’s result

A wide field of 20 candidates will contest the Papatoetoe subdivision by-election later this year.

The election would give voters a fresh chance to shape local leadership after last year's result was voided by the District Court.

The by-election comes amid heightened scrutiny of local election processes and efforts to rebuild trust in an area where turnout has historically been low.

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Voting opens on March 9 and closes at 12pm on April 9, with ballots sent by post to all eligible voters.

Five of the candidates are of Pasifika descent, making up 25 per cent of the field. They are Karl Mokaraka, Vi Hausia, Tuafuti Ka, John Loau, and Taitosaua Bill Peace. Ōtara local business owner Swanie Nelson was the only wahine Māori standing.

The candidate lineup included representatives aligned with Labour, the Papatoetoe Ōtara Action team, Community and Residents, and a range of independents.

All four Papatoetoe Ōtara Action Team candidates from the voided October election - Kunal Bhalla, Kushma Nair, Sandeep Saini, and Jeet Singh - have re-nominated for the four available seats.

Twelve candidates from last year's election were seeking re-election, alongside eight newcomers.

Five Pasifika candidates standing in the Papatoetoe local board by-election, part of a 20-strong field. Photo: Auckland Council/Facebook/LDR/Taelegalolo'u Mary Afemata

Nelson previously ran in the Ōtara subdivision and has shifted to Papatoetoe. One former candidate, Nazia Ali, is not standing.

The by-election followed the Manukau District Court decision on December 16, 2025 to void the Papatoetoe subdivision vote due to procedural irregularities.

Candidates and community leaders are encouraging residents to take part in the re-run, emphasising the importance of a fair and transparent contest.

Local board candidate Vi Hausia said ahead of nominations closing that he wanted the focus to remain on community issues instead of past allegations.

"I don't want this election to be overpowered by fraud allegations. I want the focus to be on our vision for Papatoetoe."

The four Papatoetoe Ōtara Action Team candidates elected in the 2025 local board election are standing again after the result was voided by the District Court. Photo: LDR/Taelegalolo'u Mary Afemata

Voting would be conducted by post, consistent with Auckland's local election framework.

Eligible voters in the Papatoetoe subdivision can expect to receive their voting papers from Monday, March 9, giving them just over a month to cast their ballots.

For more information on voting and candidate details, visit voteauckland.co.nz

Confirmed candidates for the Papatoetoe subdivision by-election are:

• Kunal Bhalla - Papatoetoe Otara Action Team
• Ashraf Choudhary - Labour
• Harold Hirdeshwar Deo - No affiliation declared
• Avinash Kaur Dhaliwal - Labour
• Peter Dons -Independently Papatoetoe
• Vi Hausia - Labour
• Tuafuti Ka - Independent
• Namrata Nandika Kumar - No affiliation declared
• Chris Latham - Communities and Residents
• Albert Lim - Independently Papatoetoe
• John Loau - No affiliation declared
• Karl Mokaraka - Independent
• Kushma Nair - Papatoetoe Otara Action Team
• Swanie Nelson - Independent
• Taitosaua Bill Peace - Independent
• Sandeep Saini - Papatoetoe Otara Action Team
• Jeet Singh - Papatoetoe Otara Action Team
• Raj Singh - Labour
• Alison Weakley - Independently Papatoetoe
• Chris Webb - Independently Papatoetoe

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.