Local councils run the local elections
Local elections are run by local councils. Each local authority appoints an electoral officer to conduct its election.
If you are enrolled by 1 August, your local council will send you voting papers in the mail when it’s time to vote.
The Electoral Commission’s role is to make sure each council has an up-to-date electoral roll information in time for the elections. We do not run or oversee the local elections.
Voting when you’re on the unpublished roll
If you’re on the unpublished roll, your name will not appear on the printed electoral roll. You need to apply to the electoral officer at your local council to get your voting papers, as they will not be sent to you in the mail.
Electoral officers (votelocal.co.nz)
Voting from overseas
If you’re overseas, you can enrol to vote in the local elections if you are a New Zealand citizen who has been in New Zealand within the last 3 years, or you’re a New Zealand permanent resident who has been in New Zealand in the last 12 months.
Make sure you’re correctly enrolled with an overseas postal address to get your voting papers. You can’t download or return voting papers electronically for local elections.
Voting when you own property in a council area, but don’t live there
Each council has a ratepayer roll for people who pay rates on a property but live in another part of the country. In that situation, a person can vote in the area where they live, and the area where they pay rates.
To apply, contact the electoral officer for the local council area where you pay rates but do not live.
Electoral officers (votelocal.co.nz)