2026 Masterton District Council by-election
The 2026 Masterton District Council by-election was a local by-election for the Masterton District Council in Masterton District, New Zealand, held after the resignation of councillor Jamie Falloon.
Voting took place between 20 April and 22 May 2026, with voters electing one councillor to represent the district at-large. Postal voting and the first-past-the-post system were used.
The winner of the election was former council executive Andrea Jackson, who will serve for the remainder of the 2025–2028 term. Jackson beat her nearest rival, Lyn Riley, by only 17 votes.
Background
The by-election was prompted by the resignation of Whakaoriori Masterton District Council at-large councillor Jamie Falloon at the beginning of February 2026.
Schedule
Key dates related to the by-election were:
12 February 2026 |
Candidate nominations opened |
12 March 2026 |
Candidate nominations closed |
20 April 2026 |
Start of voting period |
Voting documents sent to enrolled voters |
|
18 May 2026 |
Last day to post votes back in mail |
22 May 2026 |
Voting closed at noon |
Progress results released |
|
25 May 2026 |
Preliminary results released |
26 May 2026 |
Final results announced |
Candidates
Candidates |
Affiliation |
|
|---|---|---|
Phil Engel |
Truth |
|
John Hart |
Community Voice. Practical Solutions |
|
Andrea Jackson |
Advocacy, Leadership and Heart |
|
Richard Johns |
None |
|
Tina Nixon |
Experience and Energy |
|
Lyn Riley |
Independent |
|
Results
Andrea Jackson won the by-election, defeating second-place Lyn Riley by only 17 votes. Turnout in the election was 29.76%, compared to 47.29% in the 2025 election and below the turnout of over 30% expected by the electoral officer.
Affiliation |
Candidate |
Vote |
% |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
Independent |
Andrea Jackson |
1,425 |
||
Independent |
Lyn Riley |
1,408 |
||
Independent |
Richard Johns |
1,084 |
||
Independent |
Phil Engel |
962 |
||
Independent |
John Hart |
623 |
||
Independent |
Tina Nixon |
470 |
||
Informal |
17 |
|||
Blank |
14 |
|||
Turnout |
6,003 |
(29.76) |
||
Registered |
~20,171 |
|||
Independent gain from Independent |
||||