Local Elections 2025
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Commented [SK1]: Can we make that Local elections
2025 - lower case e
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A feature block will also be included on the homepage:
Section: About the local elections
Page: Local elections 2025
FROM
9 September 2025
TO
11 October 2025
Local elections are being held in 2025 to elect members of city, district and
regional councils. Each local council runs its own local elections.
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Have your say on who represents your community by voting in the 2025 local elections.
Local elections decide who represents us on our city, district, and regional councils.
The people elected to local councils get to make decisions about our daily lives and the future
of our towns and cities. They set and collect rates, oversee town planning, and provide services
like rubbish collection, parks and libraries.
In some parts of New Zealand, local elections are also held for local and community boards,
licensing trusts, and some other organisations.
Māori ward polls
Some local councils that have Māori wards or constituencies will be holding polls at the 2025
local elections to ask voters whether or not they support keeping them.
About Māori wards and constituencies (votelocal.co.nz)
Enrol to have your say
Commented [CP2]: I suggest we start with the ‘you must
be enrolled’ message
If you’re on the electoral roll, you can vote in the local elections where you live.
Commented [SK3R2]: I agree that we start with the
You can enrol if you’re 18 or older, a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, and have lived
‘enrol to have your say’ message and that the’ Māori roll or
in New Zealand for more than one year continuously at some time in your life.
general roll’ para moves down as part of that. However I
think the paragraph on Māori wards should stay at the top
before we talk about enrolment as it is a key feature of
You can enrol or update your details online, or call and ask us on 0800 36 76 56 for help.
these elections for many councils.
Enrol or update online
If you enrol after Friday 1 August
Commented [CP4]: Fiona says this is midnight, Natalie
wonders if it’s COB, but either way, not midday. However,
If you enrol or update your address after 1 August 2025, you won’t get your voting papers sent to
Vote Local says midday for candidate nomination AND roll
you in the mail. You’ll need to contact your council’s electoral officer.
closure. Perhaps we say 1 August for now and continue to
seek clarification.
The last day to enrol to vote in the local elections is Friday 10 October 2025.
Electoral officers (votelocal.co.nz)
Māori roll or general roll
If you’re of New Zealand Māori descent, you can choose to enrol on the Māori roll or the general
roll. The roll you choose may affect who you can vote for at local elections.
If you are enrolled and would like to change the roll you are on before the local elections, you
need to do it by Thursday 10 July 2025.
Commented [CP5]: Should we add this in here? I know
it’s elsewhere in the copy, but it is a key message.
Māori roll or general roll
Commented [SK6R5]: Its absolutely a key message so
its worth emphasising
Page: Your enrolment pack
Everyone on the electoral roll will be sent an enrolment update pack in the
mail in the first two weeks of April 2025.
Commented [CP7]: Delivery dates are from 1 - 11 April,
so ‘in early April’ or ‘first two weeks of April’.
When you receive your pack, open it, and check your details are correct, including your address
and email, if you have one.
If they’re correct, you don’t need to do anything.
If you need to update your details or change the roll you’re on, do it straight away to make sure
your voting papers are sent to you.
You can update your details online using your New Zealand driver licence, New Zealand
passport or RealMe verified identity, or by completing and returning the form in your enrolment
pack.
Enrol or update online
If you don’t receive an enrolment pack
If you don’t receive an enrolment pack in the first two weeks of April, it means you’re not
enrolled to vote or your details are not up to date. Check and update your details to make sure
you can vote.
Enrol or update online
Page: Māori roll or general roll?
If you’re of New Zealand Māori descent, you can choose to enrol on the
Māori roll or the general roll. The roll you choose may affect who you can
vote for at local elections.
If you choose the Māori roll and your council has a Māori ward or constituency, you will vote for
candidates in the Māori ward or constituency.
If you choose the general roll, or your council does not have a Māori ward or constituency, you
will vote for candidates in a general ward or constituency.
No matter which roll you’re on, you will choose from the same list of candidates when making
your vote for mayor.
How to change your roll
If you would like to change your roll type in time for the local elections, you need to do so by
midnight, Thursday 10 July. You can’t change rolls in the three months before the local
elections.
Commented [SK8]: I know this is repetitive but think we
need to still emphasise this.
You can change your roll by completing and returning the form in your enrolment update pack.
You can also change your roll online, or by completing and returning a printed enrolment form.
Enrol or update online
Other ways to enrol
If you change your roll after Thursday 10 July, the change will not be processed until after the
local elections.
Page: Voting in local elections
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.
Enrol from overseas
Voting when you own property in a council area, but don’t live there
Commented [CP9]: I’ve rewritten this in the FAQs - is this
clearer?
Each council has a ratepayer roll for people who pay rates on a property but live in another part
Each council has a ratepayer roll for people who pay rates
of the country. In that situation, a person can vote in the area where they live, and the area
on a property but live in another part of the country. In that
where they pay rates. To apply, contact the electoral officer for the local council area where you
situation, a person can vote in the area where they live,
and the area where they pay rates.
pay rates but do not live.
To apply, contact the electoral officer for the local council
area where you pay rates but do not live.
Electoral officers (votelocal.co.nz)
A list of electoral officers is available here:
https://www.votelocal.co.nz/information-for-
voters/electoral-officers/
Commented [SK10R9]: Yes, I think this is good.
Section: Resources
Page: Resources to share
Help your whānau and community get enrolled and ready to have their say
in the local elections.
Help get people enrolled
It’s easy for people to enrol, check or update their details online using their New Zealand driver
licence, New Zealand passport, or RealMe verified identity.
Enrol or update online
[resources to come]
Page: Find out more about the local elections
Local elections are run by local councils. Each council appoints an
electoral officer to conduct its election.
The Electoral Commission’s role is to make sure people are enrolled to vote and provide each
council with electoral roll information that is up to date. We are not involved in the conduct or
administration of local elections.
Your local council will have information about the elections in your area.
Council websites and maps (LGNZ)
At the local elections, candidates stand for election to a variety of roles including mayor,
councillor, community board member or local board member.
Information for candidates (votelocal.co.nz)
Candidates can run election advertising and put election signs up.
Contact your local electoral officer if you have an enquiry about election advertising.
Electoral officers (votelocal.co.nz)
