Sign In / Register
The Auckland local body elections are coming up later this year, giving residents of the Hibiscus and Bays and Rodney Local Board areas the chance to choose who represents them for the next three years.
These elections are an important opportunity for Coast residents to have a say on the decisions that affect their neighbourhoods, everything from transport and parks to community services and coastal planning. In the 2022 election, only 35.5 percent of those eligible voted, but council decisions affect many aspects of our daily lives, so taking part in local elections matters.
To vote in the local elections, you must be 18 or older, a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, and have lived in New Zealand for more than one year continuously at some time in your life.
If you are already on the electoral roll, it’s still important to check that your details are up to date, especially if you’ve moved house or changed your name. The easiest way is by visiting vote.nz. If you aren’t enrolled, you must do so by 5pm on Friday August 1 to receive your voting papers in the post. If you miss that deadline, you can still cast a special vote, but the process is slightly longer. If you’re of Māori descent, you can choose to enrol on the Māori roll or the general roll. The last day to enrol to vote is Friday, October 10.
Voting papers will be delivered to registered voters between September 9 to 22. You can fill these out at home and post them back, or drop them into a ballot box at selected council facilities. Voting closes at 12 noon on Saturday, October 11, and preliminary results will be announced later that day.
In this election, residents will be voting for several key roles. The biggest of these is the Mayor of Auckland, who leads the governing body of the city and sets the direction for Auckland Council. Voters will also choose their ward councillors, who represent larger areas on the Auckland Council and take part in decisions on city-wide matters like budgets, transport, and planning rules. Closer to home, residents will elect local board members for either the Hibiscus and Bays or Rodney Local Board, depending on where you live. Local board members are responsible for decisions about community centres, parks, libraries, and local road improvements.
Your vote matters. By enrolling, learning about the candidates, and casting your vote, you can help shape the future of the Hibiscus Coast and the wider Auckland region. Keep an eye on voteauckland.co.nz and your letterbox for updates, and make a plan to vote this September and October.
