Our role in local elections
Find out how we support local elections, including providing guidance, approving systems, and helping ensure elections are fair and consistent across New Zealand.
Background
Elections of local authority members are held once every three years. The next council elections will be held in 2028. In some parts of New Zealand elections will also be held for local and community boards, licensing trusts and some other organisations. All elections are currently held by postal voting.
Enrol, check or update your details
If you are enrolled to vote in parliamentary elections, you can also vote in local authority elections.
You can enrol, check or update your details online.
Local elections are conducted using the First Past the Post (FPP) or Single Transferable Vote (STV) electoral systems.
Our role in local elections
Under the law, local authorities are responsible for local electoral issues such as:
- the system of voting used by councils
- the appointment of electoral officials
- the conduct of local elections and polls including the option of contracting companies to process and count votes.
Central government’s role is largely one of oversight and information, and responding to suggestions for improvement in the legal basis of the system.
The Ministry of Cities, Environment, Regions, and Transport (MCERT) has a number of particular roles in local authority elections.
In summary, the Ministry:
- administers the relevant legislation
- approves voting document formats
- supports local authorities by supplying an independently certified vote-counting computer programme for STV elections
- participates in the analysis of election results and recommends improvements where appropriate
- in conjunction with other bodies, provides information and responds to queries relating to local elections.