Enrol

If you are registered to vote in parliamentary elections, you are automatically enrolled to vote in local authority elections. The address you are registered at for the parliamentary elections is where you will be listed as a residential elector for the local authority elections.

You will receive a voting document in the mail so that you can vote by post.

Find out more on the Vote NZ website

Some commonly asked questions

Am I already enrolled?

You can check or update your enrolment details either:

  • online at Vote NZ
  • or by calling 0800 ENROLNOW (0800 36 76 56)

Not on the roll?

Enrol by 12 August so you can vote. If you enrol after 12 August, you will need to cast a ‘special vote’.

How do I enrol to vote?

You need to complete an enrolment form. You can do this by:

  • enrolling online at Vote NZ
  • calling 0800 ENROLNOW  (0800 36 76 56)
  • texting your name and address to 3676
  • or picking a form up at your local New Zealand Post Shop.

Enrol by 12 August so you can vote. If you enrol after 12 August, you will need to cast a ‘special vote’.

Living overseas?

People living overseas can take part in elections but must ensure that they are correctly enrolled with an overseas postal address to receive their voting papers. Voting papers for local elections cannot be downloaded.

What about the unpublished roll?

Not everyone feels safe enough to have their details publicly available on the electoral roll, but that doesn’t mean they lose the right to vote. If you are registered on the unpublished roll, you will need to apply to the Electoral Officer at your local council.

Click here for more information

General Roll or Māori Roll?

If you’re of Māori descent and enrolling for the first time, you can decide which electoral roll you want to be on; the General Roll or the Māori Roll.

If you’re on the Māori Roll and your local authority has a Māori ward or constituency, you’ll vote for a candidate in the Māori ward.

If you have already chosen to be on the General Roll, you will have to wait until the next Māori Electoral Option period to change to the Māori Roll. The next Māori Electoral Option is in 2024.

Where should I enrol?

I am a student and spend my time in different places

You should enrol using the address where you spend most of your time.

I live in one area and pay rates in another

Voters who live in one area and pay rates on a property in another area may qualify to vote in both areas. To do this, you need to be registered on the Ratepayer Roll. See ‘How do I get on the Ratepayer Electoral Roll’ for more information.

I own  a business in a different district and want a say in the elections there?

You can own a business in one district, live in another and still get a say in the elections where your business is located if you are eligible as a non-resident ratepayer elector.

A non-resident ratepayer enrolment form is available by phoning 0800 922 822.

How do I get on the Ratepayer Electoral Roll?

Is your name on the rates notice? Yes

You may be eligible to be on the ratepayer electoral roll. Contact the electoral office on 0800 922 822 and request a ratepayer enrolment form. This should be returned to the electoral officer by 12 August 2022.

If it is received after Friday 12 August 2022, a special voting document will need to be requested and will be issued on 16 September 2022, the start of the voting period.

If it is easier you can call at a special voting venue during the voting period (Friday 16 September 2022 to 12 noon Saturday 8 October 2022) and complete the ratepayer enrolment form and have your special vote at the same time.

In no case does this allow you to have two votes at an election.

Is your name on the rates notice? No

You may not be eligible to be on the ratepayer electoral roll. Contact the electoral office on 0800 922 822.

Where can I view the electoral roll for this election?

The preliminary electoral roll will be available for public inspection at all council offices from Friday 15 July 2020 to Friday 12 August 2020.

Far North District Council

  • Council’s Main Office (Memorial Avenue, Kaikohe)
  • Kaitāia Service Centre (Te Ahu, Corner Matthews Avenue and South Road, Kaitāia)
  • Kerikeri Service Centre (60 Kerikeri Road, Kerikeri)
  • Kāeo Service Centre / Library (Leigh Street, Old Post Office Building, Kāeo)

Kaipara District Council

  • Council’s Main Office (42 Hokianga Road, Dargaville or 32 Hokianga Road from Monday 4 July 2022)
  • Mangawhai Office (Unit 6, The Hub, 6 Molesworth Drive, Mangawhai)

Whangārei District Council

  • Customer Services, Forum North (Rust Avenue, Whangarei)
  • Ruakākā Service Centre (9 Takutai Place, Ruakākā)

Northland Regional Council

  • Council’s Whangārei Office (36 Water Street, Whangārei)
  • Council’s Dargaville Office (32 Hokianga Road, Dargaville)
  • Council’s Kaitāia Office (192 Commerce Street, Kaitāia)
  • Council’s Waipapa Office (Shop 9/12 Klinac Lane, Waipapa)