VoteWhakapōti

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 up-to-date electoral roll information in time for the elections. They do not run or oversee the local elections.

Ballot Boxes

Your voting papers can be dropped into ballot boxes available at the Wairoa District Council main office and New World Wairoa.

If you enrol after Friday 1 August

If you enrol or update your address after 1 August 2025, you won’t get your voting papers sent to you in the mail. You’ll need to contact your council’s electoral officer. 

The last day to enrol to vote in the local elections is Friday 10 October 2025.

Electoral Officers

Voting when you’re on the unpublished roll

If you’re on the unpublished roll, your name will not appear on the printed electoral roll.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

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.

Enrol from overseas

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 info@electionservices.co.nz or click the button below

Ratepayer Elector Enrolment