Diane Calvert
Official Candidate Biography
I’m standing to be your next Mayor of Wellington and ask for your #1 vote. The city is facing one of its most challenging periods, and it needs experienced leadership that understands how the Council works and the complexity of the issues.
As a current city councillor, I have the knowledge, connections and proven record as a strategic thinker, successful community champion and advocate for smarter investment and lower rates. I’m ready to lead a reset at the Council that will prioritise our core services - infrastructure, waste and community amenities; reduce spending to affordable levels; support business investment; and restore public trust in Council.
I want to put money back in your pockets so you can decide where it goes, not the Council.
I’m not aligned with any political group and will work collaboratively across the Council, community and other partners to deliver the results Wellingtonians want.
Connect with Diane Calvert
Diane Calvert’s Elections & Candidacies
Note: This database contains data from the 2023, 2020, 2017 and 2014 general elections, the 2025 local government election and is gradually being backfilled with other election data.
Contested 3 races — 2 elected 1 not elected
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MayorWellington City CouncilAffiliation: Not AffiliatedFinal Not electedVote share • 5.0%4,093 votes
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Wharangi/Onslow-Western General WardWellington City CouncilAffiliation: Not AffiliatedFinal ElectedVote share • 22.3%5,368 votes
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Final ElectedVote share • 20.8%4,397 votes
Offices held
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Wharangi/Onslow-Western General WardWellington City CouncilOct 2016 – present
In the News
The trickiest problem for Wellington’s next mayor
The Spinoff — September 29, 2025Once water reform is out of the way, all eyes will turn to the complex, expensive quagmire of the council’s social housing. For many years, the role of mayor of Wellington has been the biggest hospital pass in New Zealand politics. The capital is a city with myriad post-earthquake infrastructure problems, the council is saddled with big bills, and the mayor shoulders all the blame from the frustrated public.
Campaign countdown: Rote craziness, cute dogs and a few beers
The Post — September 27, 2025OPINION: Diane Calvert unleashed, unhinged social media in Upper Hutt ... and who us suggesting council-run dating websites as an answer to rates rises? Yes, election D-Day is very close now.
City to Sea Bridge: Councillor confident fences to be removed shortly
RNZ — September 24, 2025Renewal and strengthening costs will be around $7 million, much lower than the $36m for demolition, Diane Calvert says.
Mayoralty schmayoralty: these ward races will decide Wellington’s future
The Spinoff — September 24, 2025Barring a major upset, polling suggests Andrew Little will win the capital’s mayoral chains with relative ease. But the type of council he will lead is still up in the air. Andrew Little must be feeling pretty good right now. A recent Q+A Verian poll gave him a commanding lead in the race to be Wellington’s next mayor, with 58% of first-choice votes, way ahead of second-placed candidate Ray Chung on 16%.
The Post mayoral debate: Spotlight on the big four
The Post — September 17, 2025Leading contenders Andrew Little, Karl Tiefenbacher, Diane Calvert and Ray Chung will be grilled by The Post national affairs editor Andrea Vance in a live debate at 3pm today.
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This database currently contains data from the 2025 local government eleciton, and general elections in 2023, 2020, 2017 and 2014. It is being backfilled with older data. Please get in touch if you want to help.