What are local elections?

Local elections decide who represents our local communities on local issues. Local elections are held for city, district, and regional councils.

In some parts of New Zealand, local elections are also held for local and community boards, licensing trusts, and some other organisations.

Local councils do most of the work of running local elections. Our role is to:

• make sure each council has an up-to-date electoral roll in time for elections
• encourage people to enrol in time to vote.

If you’re enrolled, your local council will send you voting papers in the mail.

Voting when you’re on the unpublished roll

If you’re registered on the unpublished roll, you need to apply to the electoral officer at your local council to get your voting papers.

Voting from overseas

If you’re overseas, you can still take part in local elections. Just make sure you’re correctly enrolled with an overseas postal address to get your voting papers. You can’t download voting papers for a local election.

Voting when you own property in a council area but don’t live there

If you own property within a local council area, but usually live outside this area, you can apply to go on the ratepayer roll. You can then vote in the area where you pay rates, and the area where you live.

Apply to get on the ratepayer roll

To apply, contact the electoral officer for the local council area where you pay rates but do not live. The electoral officer will send you a form to complete, sign and return so they can check you’re eligible.

The roll you are on may affect the way you vote in local elections.

If you choose the Māori roll, and your local council has a Māori ward or constituency, you will vote for candidates in the Māori ward or constituency. If you choose the general roll, you will vote for candidates in the general ward or constituency.

When can you choose rolls?

If you are Māori, and enrolling to vote for the first time, you choose which electoral roll you want to be on.

You can also change your roll type at any time, except:

• in the 3 months before a general election
• in the 3 months before local elections which are held every 3 years
• before a parliamentary by-election if the change would move you into the electorate where the by-election is being held.

If you’re Māori and enrolling for the first time you can still choose either the Māori roll or the general roll.

Find out more about the Māori roll

How to make your choice

If you’re happy with the roll you’re on, you don’t need to do anything. If you want to change the roll you’re on, you can make the change online, by email, or by mail.

Change your roll

The local elections are being held in 2025. 

Council websites and maps – Local Government New Zealand

Learn more about local government and local elections on the following sites.

Local government in New Zealand — Local Government New Zealand

Local Elections — Department of Internal Affairs