Ken Couper

Currently serving: Mayor, Whangarei District Council Independent
Party Independent
Connect with Ken Couper
Ken Couper’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Contested 4 races — 2 elected 1 not elected 1 withdrawn

2025 NZ Local Government • October 11, 2025 Local
  • Bream Bay General Ward
    Whangarei District Council
    Affiliation: Independent
    Ballot name: Ken Couper
    Final Withdrawn
    Vote share • 0.0%
    0 votes
  • Mayor
    Whangarei District Council
    Affiliation: Independent
    Ballot name: Ken Couper
    Final Elected
    Vote share • 31.6%
    12,418 votes
2022 NZ Local Government • October 8, 2022 Local
  • Bream Bay General Ward
    Whangarei District Council
    Final Elected
    Vote share • 29.6%
    2,439 votes
  • Mayor
    Whangarei District Council
    Final Not elected
    Vote share • 17.6%
    5,037 votes
Offices held
  • Mayor
    Whangarei District Council
    Affiliation: Independent
    Oct 2025 – present
  • Bream Bay General Ward
    Whangarei District Council
    Oct 2019 – Oct 2025
In the News
Ōakura cut off in both directions, could take weeks to fix slip damage - mayor
RNZ — January 22, 2026

Whangārei Mayor Ken Couper says it could take weeks to fix a massive slip blocking the road to Ōakura.

Whangārei Mayor Ken Couper says some storm damage 'as bad as you see in north'
RNZ — January 21, 2026

A precautionary state of emergency is already declared for the Whangārei District as large areas of the country brace for more bad weather on Wednesday.

Weather: Heavy rain, severe gales lash Auckland, Northland, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty
NZ Herald — January 20, 2026

Whangārei mayor Ken Couper has declared a precautionary State of Local Emergency.

'Weather can turn on a dime': Mayor’s warning to residents ahead of expected deluge
Stuff — January 20, 2026

Thames-Coromandel mayor Peter Revell warns locals in the district to "stay prepared and stay safe" as more wild weather approaches.

Local body elections 2025: Ken Couper elected Whangārei Mayor, defeating Vince Cocurullo
NZ Herald — October 17, 2025

Vince Cocurullo exits after 12 years on council and one term as mayor.

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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.