The Electoral Commission was established when MMP was introduced and its role has changed over the years.
When the Commission was first set up under the Electoral Act 1993, its role was to register political parties, oversee the election finance rules for parties, and allocate funding to parties for broadcast advertising. It was also tasked with promoting public awareness of electoral matters.
In 2010, the Commission was amalgamated with the Chief Electoral Office, taking on responsibility for running Parliamentary elections and referendums.
In 2012, it was given responsibility for keeping the electoral rolls up to date, which had sat with the Electoral Enrolment Centre. New Zealand Post continued to deliver enrolment services for the Commission until 2016, when enrolment services were brought in-house.