POSITION DESCRIPTION
Position
Issuing Officer
Group/Business Unit
Operations/Voting Services
Reports to
Voting Place Manager
Direct reports
None
Location
Designated Voting Place(s)
Date
March 2023
Key relationships
Internal relationships:
Post-Election Manager
Mobile Managers
Voting Place Manager and Voting Place Staff
External relationships:
Voters
Operating budget
None
Who we are
Confidence in a free, fair and secret voting system is at the heart of any democracy.
In Aotearoa New Zealand this is something we almost take for granted. But it relies on the
integrity of our electoral process, and at the Electoral Commission safeguarding trust and
confidence in this process is central to everything we do.
We are an independent Crown Entity. We are publicly funded and support a whole of government
approach. We operate the electoral system as prescribed in the Electoral Act and mandated by
parliament, running the country’s general elections, by-elections and referendums. We ensure
the integrity of the rolls and compliance with electoral requirements by parties, candidates and
third parties.
But our work extends beyond the usual three-year cycle and running general elections. We meet
complex and constantly changing requirements to keep New Zealanders at the centre of the
process.
New Zealand’s electoral system enjoys 95% satisfaction from voters and contributes to our
consistent ranking as one of the world’s top two democracies.
This is a priceless heritage. It belongs to all New Zealanders. We are proud to be constantly
advancing and sustaining the processes it relies on.
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Our values
Ngā uara hai pou mō te Kaitiaki take Kōwhiri, kia eke ai to māramatanga ki te pōti - Our five
values together form TAUMATA: a summit or peak which is often associated with an arduous
journey, with levels along the way, elevating to a higher plain, and success.
Our values help guide us in our mission that all New Zealanders trust, value and take part in
Parliamentary Elections.
1. Tūhonotanga - To join, bond, attach, connect.
Connecting / building and maintaining relationships
Bringing people together to increase participation in democracy.
2. Aratakina - To conduct, lead, point out, guide
Knowledge Transfer
Guiding towards greater understanding.
3. Uakaha - Vigour, energy, dynamism, enthusiasm
Energy / dynamism / innovation
Being dynamic and energetic in what we do.
4. Manaakitanga - Hospitality, kindness, generosity, support
Power Transfer
Demonstrating generosity and empowering people
5. Tika - Be true, valid, honest, genuine, sincere
Integrity and honesty
Doing things right; doing the right things!
Position Purpose
The primary responsibility of an issuing officer is to issue voting papers accurately and efficiently
and to adhere to prescribed practices and processes. Issuing Officers are also required to assist
the Voting Place Manager with pack up and closedown of voting places within the hours of
operation.
Your role
Issuing voting papers
• Issue voting papers to voters accurately and efficiently to voters.
• Courteous and professional customer service which encourages public participation in
democracy.
• Demonstrate good communication skills, ability to follow instructions, and attention to
detail.
• Demonstrate resilience and determination. Undertake high volume, repetitive tasks while
ensuring a high degree of accuracy.
• Show awareness and sensitivity to different cultural or physical needs of voters.
• An ability to pronounce Māori names correctly, or the willingness to learn.
Expected results:
• Working with others to ensure smooth operation of the voting place.
• Maintaining a high degree of voter satisfaction.
• Votes are issued accurately and efficiently.
Commitment to cultural competency
• Recognise and understand the importance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
• Commit to being a positive treaty partner.
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Expected results:
• The Commission maintains and nurtures Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Team effectiveness and culture
• Contribute to team effectiveness by providing suggestions, learning feedback and
support to others, to enable the uplift of team performance and drive motivation.
• Regularly demonstrate a positive, open and collaborative mindset when contributing to
the team, organisation, values and activities of the Commission.
• Act as an ambassador for the culture and values of the Commission by demonstrating
them in all interactions with employees and stakeholders.
Expected results:
• The Commission’s values are demonstrated through team behaviours, interactions, and
performance.
• Team culture is strong and there is a willingness to provide and receive effective feedback.
• Challenges are resolved effectively representing the team and/or organisation’s best
interests.
• The team operation is smooth and efficient and is uninterrupted when there are absences.
Relationship management
• Act as an ambassador of the Commission through positive interactions with the public.
• Maintain high ethical standards of conduct.
Expected results:
• A demonstrated commitment to acting with customers in mind.
Quality systems and service
• Contribute to the achievement of team goals by meeting expectations and offering
suggestions for improving current systems and procedures.
• Adhere closely to written and verbal instruction. Seek clarification where needed.
• Ensure that service levels continue to meet a high standard through positive voter
• interactions.
Expected results:
• Team goals are achieved and a high standard of delivery and integrity is preserved.
Health, Safety and Wellbeing
• Take reasonable care for your own health and safety and that of others at work.
• Proactively demonstrate adherence to the organisation’s Health, Safety and Wellbeing
related values, acting as an advocate and support for all our employee’s wellbeing.
• Comply with the Commission’s health and safety policies and procedures. Take action to
improve health and safety record of the workplace. Ensures equipment and work areas are
well maintained.
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting of any risks or hazards and potential risks or hazards
so that they may be remedied.
• Promote and advocate employee wellbeing, acting as a champion for wellbeing.
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• Lead, champion, and promote continual improvement in health and wellbeing to create a
healthy and safe culture.
• Continuously engage with the team to enable them to actively participate in wellbeing
activities and initiatives.
Expected results:
• All employees understand their responsibilities and utilise development programmes to
ensure they have the required health and safety competency.
• All employees are required to improve Health, Safety and Wellbeing in their work
environment to create an improved health and safety culture in line with the Health, Safety
and Wellbeing policy
• The team is continuously engaged with to enable them to actively participate in wellbeing
activities and initiatives.
Key competencies
• Customer Focus: Is dedicated to meeting the expectations and requirements of voters.
Champions democracy through positive interactions with the public.
• Attention to Detail: Is committed to following instructions and performing tasks with a
high degree of accuracy.
• Integrity and Trust: Maintains public trust in the electoral process by demonstrating
ethical conduct and behaviour. Follows prescribed processes to ensure accurate results.
• Interpersonal skills: Performs well in a team environment. Builds positive and effective
relationships which contribute to the Commission’s values and goals.
Public Service introduction
Ka mahitahi mātou o te ratonga tūmatanui kia whai tikanga ai te noho a ngā tāngata o Aotearoa i
āianei, ā, hei ngā rā ki tua hoki. He kawenga tino whaitake tā mātou hei tautoko i te Karauna i
runga i āna hononga ki a ngāi Māori i raro i te Tiriti o Waitangi. Ka tautoko mātou i te kāwanatanga
manapori. Ka whakakotahingia mātou e te wairua whakarato ki ō mātou hapori, ā, e arahina ana
mātou e ngā mātāpono me ngā tikanga matua o te ratonga tūmatanui i roto i ā mātou mahi.
In the public service we work collectively to make a meaningful difference for New Zealanders now
and in the future. We have an important role in supporting the Crown in its relationships with Māori
under the Treaty of Waitangi. We support democratic government. We are unified by a spirit of
service to our communities and guided by the core principles and values of the public service in
our work.
You can find out more about what this means at
(About the Public Service Commission - Te Kawa
Mataaho Public Service Commission).
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