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Thousands of Māori voters have taken the opportunity to change electoral rolls or update their details before this year’s general election.

If you are Māori, you choose the Māori roll or general roll when you first enrol to vote and can change rolls at any time except in the 3 months before an election.

“We’re now in that 3-month period when you can’t change rolls,” says Hone Matthews, Chief Advisor Māori. “The roll you’re on now is the roll you will be on for the 2026 General Election on 7 November. You’ll be able to change rolls again after the election.

“If you’re not enrolled yet, you can still enrol and make your choice between the Māori roll and the general roll right up until 25 October. Make sure you are enrolled before voting starts so you can vote,” says Hone Matthews.

Between 31 March and midnight 6 August 2026, 60,170 voters of Māori descent changed rolls, enrolled for the first time, or updated their details.

• 17,033 people changed rolls - 9,400 from the general roll to the Māori roll and 7,633 people from the Māori roll to the general roll
• There were 11,272 new enrolments - 7,723 on the Māori roll and 3,549 on the general roll
• 31,865 people took the opportunity to update their details, for example their address, but didn’t change rolls.

On 6 August, 565,092 voters of Māori descent were enrolled to vote, 255,491 (45%) on the general roll and 309,601 (55%) on the Māori roll. 

“We’ve seen more enrolment activity this year compared with the Māori Electoral Option period in 2023, especially for new enrolments,” says Hone Matthews. In 2023 between 31 March and 13 July, 14,587 changed rolls, there were 3,242 new enrolments and 22,135 updates.   

2026 changes by Māori electorate