Getting ready to vote

People wanting to vote in the November 7 General Election need to be enrolled before advance voting starts.

The Electoral Commission says eligible voters should ensure they are enrolled at the address where they live by October 4.

Chief electoral officer Karl Le Quesne says teams will be on the road this month providing mobile enrolment pop-ups to reach eligible voters with a focus on regional and rural locations.

“Then in September we’ll set up enrolment hubs as part of a final push to enrol people before Sunday October 4,” he says.

The Commission is also launching a Community Education Fund with just under $700,000 available in small grants to community-led groups focused on increasing enrolment uptake in their communities, especially in areas where the Commission doesn’t have a presence.

Another initiative is greater use of digital communications to contact voters.

“You’ll be seeing more emails and texts from the Commission reminding you to enrol or update your details. If we have your email address and phone number, it will help us keep in touch with you.”

To enrol, check or update your details go to: vote.nz or call freephone 0800 36 76 56 and ask for an enrolment form.

Meanwhile, enrolment packs are being sent to 562,000 voters of Māori descent about their electoral roll choice for the 2026 General Election.

“If you’re Māori you choose the general roll or Māori roll when you first enrol to vote. After that, you can change rolls at any time except in the three months before an election.

“If you would like to change the roll you’re on before this year’s election, you need to do it by midnight on Thursday August 6. The roll you are on at that time will be your roll for the election.”