election in the Onepoto Ward
john luke made this Official Information request to Electoral Commission
The request was successful.
From: john luke
Dear Electoral Commission,
I am writing to request clarification on the guidelines related to candidate statements, particularly under the relevant provisions of the Electoral Act or associated regulations.
I have noted that a candidate has described herself as a "Justice of the Peace candidate" in her statement. While I have seen candidates previously refer to themselves as "Justice of the Peace," the term "Justice of the Peace candidate" is unfamiliar to me. I am unsure whether this wording is accurate, or if it could be considered misleading or a potential misrepresentation of her current role or status.
Could you please provide the relevant guidelines or policies that address the use of such terminology in candidate statements? I understand this request is made under the Official Information Act. However, if you believe this issue raises immediate concerns about the accuracy of the candidate’s statement, I respectfully ask that you consider contacting her directly to help uphold the integrity of the election and protect the public interest.
https://www.poriruanews.co.nz/2025/08/05...
Yan Zhang is running for election in the Onepoto Ward
I’m a solo mother raising a bright neurodivergent child in Titahi Bay, a business analyst and Justice of the Peace candidate
Yours faithfully,
john luke
From: Support
##- Please type your reply above this line -##
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Commission
Kia ora
Thank you for your enquiry. We’ll get back to you as soon as we can, we
aim to respond to enquiries within two working days.
Your request has been assigned a tracking number, 159540.
In the meantime, you may find the information you need on [3]our website.
If you have any more questions or comments, please reply to this email.
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Electoral Commission
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From: OIA Enquiries
Kia ora John Luke
We have consulted with Porirua City Council and believe your request
referring to local body candidate nominations is more closely connected
with the functions of the Council. Accordingly, your request has been
transferred to the Porirua City Council for their response.
The transfer was formally completed today, 9 September 2025.
As the Electoral Commission only administers parliamentary elections, we
do not hold data or information about local body candidate guidelines for
local body elections, and the Electoral Act is not the supporting
legislation for local body elections.
More information about our limited role in local body elections can be
found here [1]What are local elections? | Elections.
Ngā mihi,
Electoral Commission | Te Kaitiaki Take Kōwhiri
PO Box 3220 | Level 10, 34 – 42 Manners Street | Wellington | 6140 | New
Zealand
Phone +64 4 495 0030 | [2]vote.nz | [3]elections.nz
From: Support <[email address]>
Sent: Monday, 1 September 2025 8:56 am
To: OIA Enquiries <[email address]>
Subject: [OIA] Official Information request - election in the Onepoto Ward
Here is a request from john luke
([4][FOI #32164 email]).
From: john luke <[5][FOI #32164 email]>
Date: Fri, Aug 29, 2025 at 6:47 pm
Dear Electoral Commission,
I am writing to request clarification on the guidelines related to
candidate statements, particularly under the relevant provisions of the
Electoral Act or associated regulations.
I have noted that a candidate has described herself as a "Justice of the
Peace candidate" in her statement. While I have seen candidates previously
refer to themselves as "Justice of the Peace," the term "Justice of the
Peace candidate" is unfamiliar to me. I am unsure whether this wording is
accurate, or if it could be considered misleading or a potential
misrepresentation of her current role or status.
Could you please provide the relevant guidelines or policies that address
the use of such terminology in candidate statements? I understand this
request is made under the Official Information Act. However, if you
believe this issue raises immediate concerns about the accuracy of the
candidate’s statement, I respectfully ask that you consider contacting her
directly to help uphold the integrity of the election and protect the
public interest.
[6]https://www.poriruanews.co.nz/2025/08/05...
Yan Zhang is running for election in the Onepoto Ward
I’m a solo mother raising a bright neurodivergent child in Titahi Bay, a
business analyst and Justice of the Peace candidate
Yours faithfully,
john luke
-------------------------------------------------------------------
This is an Official Information request made via the FYI website.
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[7][FOI #32164 email]
Is [8][Electoral Commission request email] the wrong address for Official Information
requests to Electoral Commission? If so, please contact us using this
form:
[9]https://fyi.org.nz/change_request/new?bo...
Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
[10]https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers
If you find this service useful as an Official Information officer, please
ask your web manager to link to us from your organisation's OIA or LGOIMA
page.
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Conversation ID: eef8945c-86ac-11f0-8518-910ea00ad6e2
eef8945c-86ac-11f0-8518-910ea00ad6e2 e211bcf
References
Visible links
1. https://www.elections.nz/democracy-in-nz...
2. http://www.vote.nz/
3. https://elections.nz/
4. mailto:[FOI #32164 email]
5. mailto:[FOI #32164 email]
6. https://www.poriruanews.co.nz/2025/08/05...
7. mailto:[FOI #32164 email]
8. mailto:[Electoral Commission request email]
9. https://fyi.org.nz/change_request/new?bo...
10. https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers
From: Official Information
Kia ora John
Receipt of request for official information
Thank you for your request for official information which was transferred
to us from the Electoral Commission on 9 September 2025 relating to a
statement made by an Onepoto Ward candidate.
You can expect a reply no later than 7 October 2025, which is 20 working
days from the day we received your request. If we’re unable to respond by
then we will notify you that the timeframe has been extended.
If your request requires significant staff time and/or costs, there may be
a charge. If this is the case, we’ll let you know in advance, so you can
decide whether to proceed.
Please note that it is our policy to proactively release our responses to
official information requests where there may be wider public interest. If
we do, we will let you know beforehand and redact your personal
information.
Our reference code for any correspondence on this matter is 25-203. If
you have any queries, please get in touch at
[1][email address] or phone 04 237 1411.
Ngā mihi,
Moana Wyatt
Chief of Staff (Mayor & Chief Executive’s Office)
Tumuaki o ngā Kaimahi
Tel: 04 237 1411 I [mobile number]
[2]poriruacity.govt.nz
From: john luke <[3][FOI #32164 email]>
Date: Fri, Aug 29, 2025 at 6:47 pm
Dear Electoral Commission,
I am writing to request clarification on the guidelines related to
candidate statements, particularly under the relevant provisions of the
Electoral Act or associated regulations.
I have noted that a candidate has described herself as a "Justice of the
Peace candidate" in her statement. While I have seen candidates previously
refer to themselves as "Justice of the Peace," the term "Justice of the
Peace candidate" is unfamiliar to me. I am unsure whether this wording is
accurate, or if it could be considered misleading or a potential
misrepresentation of her current role or status.
Could you please provide the relevant guidelines or policies that address
the use of such terminology in candidate statements? I understand this
request is made under the Official Information Act. However, if you
believe this issue raises immediate concerns about the accuracy of the
candidate’s statement, I respectfully ask that you consider contacting her
directly to help uphold the integrity of the election and protect the
public interest.
[4]https://www.poriruanews.co.nz/2025/08/05...
Yan Zhang is running for election in the Onepoto Ward
I’m a solo mother raising a bright neurodivergent child in Titahi Bay, a
business analyst and Justice of the Peace candidate
Yours faithfully,
john luke
-------------------------------------------------------------------
This is an Official Information request made via the FYI website.
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[5][FOI #32164 email]
Is [6][Electoral Commission request email] the wrong address for Official Information
requests to Electoral Commission? If so, please contact us using this
form:
[7]https://fyi.org.nz/change_request/new?bo...
Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be published on
the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
[8]https://fyi.org.nz/help/officers
If you find this service useful as an Official Information officer, please
ask your web manager to link to us from your organisation's OIA or LGOIMA
page.
show quoted sections
From: Moana Wyatt
Kia ora Ian
Please find attached a reply to your recent Local Government Official
Information and Meetings Act request relating to candidate statements.
Ngā mihi,
Moana Wyatt
Chief of Staff (Mayor & Chief Executive’s Office)
Tumuaki o ngā Kaimahi
Tel: 04 237 1411 I [mobile number]
[1]poriruacity.govt.nz
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1. https://poriruacity.govt.nz/
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