Frequently Asked Questions

1.    How are lists of electors compiled?

This is done using a system of meshblocks, administered by Statistics New Zealand, which allocates the elector to the appropriate Parliamentary electorate and local council.

These lists are updated in real time, as changes are notified to the Registrar of Electors. To ensure the lists are kept up to date, Enrolment Update Campaigns are held in the years that the triennial local council elections and Parliamentary elections are held.

An Enrolment Update Campaign is next scheduled for July 2010.

2.    For what purposes may we acquire a copy of the roll?

3.    May we use previous copies of the electoral roll for purposes other than originally requested?

4.    To help determine whether or not to establish Maori wards and constituencies - is electoral data to be used?

5.    What does the data cost?

If you require further information please contact the Local Authority Co-ordinator for details

Glossary of Terms

This glossary only highlights common terms used within a Local Authority context, for a full listing of glossary terms click here

• Ratepayer Roll
  
  It is each local council's responsibility to prepare their own Ratepayer Roll of qualified electors who live outside the district concerned.
  
  The Local Elections and Polls Amendment Act 1991 outlines that a Principal Administrative Officer can ask the Chief Registrar of Electors to decide whether or not a ratepayer roll applicant whose address is outside their district is registered as a Parliamentary elector at that address.
  
  These enquiries should be sent in writing to your local Registrar of Electors, who can confirm the registration of electors throughout New Zealand.
   
• Unknown meshblock 194
  
  If electors are unable to be allocated a valid meshblock, they are instead allocated an Unknown meshblock of "194" while their situation is investigated. Use of the unknown meshblock generally occurs where the street address or number range provided by the elector is not shown on the Electoral system. This system relies on information provided by the local council to the appropriate agencies ie, Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) who advise Statistics New Zealand, who in turn provide the data to update the Electoral system.
  
  The majority of "194" situations occur when local councils introduce rural numbering schemes; in particular, where residents are advised of their new rural number which they use as their electoral address before the official notification has been made to LINZ.
  
  It is recommended that the local councils advise the local Registrar of Electors if they plan to introduce rural numbering, and that Registrars are kept regularly updated while the system is being implemented. Early and ongoing consultation between the local council and the Registrar of Electors will benefit both parties.
  
  Unknown meshblock electors will appear on the printed Parliamentary roll and as part of the main electronic listing supplied to local councils.
  
  The Electoral computer system can identify the appropriate local council for unknown meshblock electors but it is unable to identify the appropriate ward, community board etc. For this reason, each Local council is responsible for:
  1. determining if the unknown meshblock elector is eligible to vote for the particular ward etc, and
  2. showing any other voting rights that the elector is entitled to by listing these alongside each unknown meshblock elector's name.


• Unpublished Roll
  
  The Unpublished Roll is available for electors who believe that being listed on the printed roll could threaten their personal safety. Electors who apply to be on the Unpublished Roll need to produce some evidence of their situation such as a protection order or a statutory declaration from the Police.
  
  Enrolment details that are listed on the Unpublished Roll are kept strictly confidential and electors on this roll need to make a special vote at election time. All electors who are listed on the Unpublished Roll will be written to prior to any local electoral activity to provide them with information on how to cast a special vote.