Draft:2022 South Waikato local elections

The 2022 South Waikato local elections took place in October 2022 to elect a Mayor of South Waikato and ten councillors for the South Waikato District Council and four members of the Tirau community board. Elections were held under first past the post voting system, with voting done via postal vote, as part of nation-wide local elections taking place.

Background
Two-term incumbent mayor Jenny Shattock declined to seek re-election to the role, announcing her retirement just days after being re-elected in August 2019. 2022 was the first contested mayoral election for the district since 2016, with candidates being incumbent Tokoroa Ward councillor and local lawyer Arama Ngapo and incumbent Putāruru Ward councillor and local truck driver Gary Petley.

Results
Gary Petley defeated Arama Ngapo by a twelve point margin, 54% to 42%.