How local elections work

You vote for the people to represent you in your local authority, such as voting for councillors for your local city or district council.

In some parts of NZ, you may also vote for other organisations, such as community boards or licensing trusts as part of your local elections.

What are local elections? — Electoral Commission

Voting papers are sent by post to all enrolled voters. You can either:

• post them back
• put them in the voting bins around your community.

By-elections

If an elected person leaves before the end of their term, it creates a vacancy. A by-election may be run to elect someone to replace them.

Voting from overseas

You cannot download voting papers for local elections. If you’re enrolled and your details are up to date, your council will send you voting papers by post for local elections every 3 years.

For any questions about voting from overseas, contact the electoral officer at your council.

Māori wards or constituencies

If your local council has a Māori ward or constituency:

• voters on the Māori roll will vote for candidates in the Māori ward. 
• voters on the general roll will vote for candidates in the general ward.

There are rules around when you can change between the Māori and general rolls.

Choose between the Māori roll or general roll

Voting where you own property — ratepayer roll

If you own property in a local council area but do not live there, you may be able to go on the ratepayer roll and vote there.

To apply, contact the electoral officer at the council where the property is located.

On the unpublished roll

If you’re registered on the unpublished roll, you need to contact the electoral officer at your local council to get your voting papers. They will not be sent by post.