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Frequently asked questions - 2007 local elections

Local Elections Frequently Asked Questions

     

  1. What elections are being held?

    The elections are for local councils and district health boards throughout the country.  This includes electing a mayor for every city and district, and members to represent you on your regional council, city council, district council, community board, district health board and other bodies such as licensing trusts.

     

  2. What is a local council?

    ‘Local councils’ mainly consist of three types of publicly elected bodies:Regional councils – responsible for natural resources, environmental planning and all regulations administered at a regional level.City councils and district councils – which focus on providing local services such as water, rubbish collection and disposal, sewage treatment, parks, reserves, street lighting, roads, footpaths, and libraries.  They process building and environmental consents and administer other regulatory tasks.Community boards – provide the opportunity for you to have local representation to the city or district council on matters affecting your immediate community.  They maintain an overview of local government activities, and communicate with community organisations and special interest groups.   Some community boards have other responsibilities delegated to them by their councils.

     

  3. What is a district health board?

    District health boards are responsible for delivering publicly funded health and disability support services for a specific geographical area.

     

  4. When are the elections being held?

    Voting for the elections will be held by postal vote.  Voting papers will be sent to all registered electors from 21 September and need to be returned by 12 noon on Saturday 13 October.

     

  5. How do I vote in the elections?

    All registered electors will be sent a voting pack by post.  Voting packs will include information about how to complete and return your voting papers.  Voting papers need to be returned by 12 noon on Saturday 13 October.  For more information contact your local council electoral officer by ringing the main telephone number for your local council.

     

  6. What do I do if I don’t receive a voting pack?

    You will need to enrol or update your enrolment details. Enrol now, or enrolment forms are available at PostShops, by calling 0800 ENROL NOW (0800 36 76 56) or by freetexting your name and address to 36 76.  You will need to request a ‘special declaration’ voting paper from the electoral officer at your local council if you haven’t enrolled by 24 August.

     

  7. Do I have to vote?

    No.  The decision to vote is a personal choice, however it is a legal requirement to be enrolled.

     

  8. How do I find out more information about the elections including what local council area I’m in?

    You can get more information about the elections from your local council electoral officer by phoning the main telephone number for your local council.  Local council electoral rolls showing what local council area you are in will be available for inspection at any local council office, public library or PostShop from Friday 27 July.

     

  9. I want to find out more about standing as a candidate in the elections

    Local Government New Zealand and the Ministry of Health have set up a freephone number you can call to find out more about standing as a candidate – the number is 0508 13 10 2007

     

  10. What voting system is being used for these elections?

    All district health boards and eight local councils will be using the single transferable vote (STV) system.  The remaining 65 local councils will be using the first past the post (FPP) system.  Check with you local council Electoral Officer for the system they will be using.

    Enrolment

     

  11. Who can enrol and vote?

    You are qualified to enrol if:

  • you are 18 years or older, and
  • are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident, and
  • have lived in New Zealand for more than one year continuously at some time in your life. 

There are some restrictions, which are listed on the enrolment form.  Enrol now, or enrolment forms are available at PostShops, by calling 0800 ENROL NOW (0800 36 76 56) or by freetexting your name and address to 36 76. 

 

 

 

  • How do I know if I am enrolled?

    From Monday 9 July, all registered electors will be sent an enrolment update pack.  If you have not received your pack by Thursday 12 July, you are either not enrolled or your address details need updating.  If this happens, you need to fill in an enrolment form.

     

  • I've received my enrolment update pack and all my details are correct.  What do I do?

    If your enrolment details are correct, you do not need to do anything. You are correctly enrolled to vote.

     

  • I’ve changed address.  What should I do?

    If you have:

    • received your enrolment update pack – fill in the back of the form with your new residential address, postal address (if different from your residential address), then sign, date and return it in the envelope provided.
    • not received your enrolment update pack and you've lived at your address for at least one month - fill in an enrolment form.  Enrol now, or enrolment forms are available at PostShops, by calling 0800 ENROL NOW (0800 36 76 56) or by freetexting your name and address to 36 76. 
    • not received your enrolment update pack and you've not lived at your address for at least one month - fill in a mail redirection request form at any PostShop.

     

     

  • I have changed my name, or other details, since I enrolled (e.g. marriage/statutory declaration).  How do I get these details correctly recorded?

    If you have:

    • received your enrolment update pack – fill in the back of the form with your new details, then sign, date and return it in the envelope provided.
    • not received your enrolment update pack - fill in an enrolment form.  Enrol now, or enrolment forms are available at PostShops, by calling 0800 ENROL NOW (0800 36 76 56) or by freetexting your name and address to 36 76. 

     

     

  • I’ve received an enrolment update pack for someone who no longer lives at this address.  What should I do with it?

    Print on the envelope “Gone no address” and return it to the registrar of electors. 

     

  • When must I be enrolled by?

    To receive voting papers in the post you must be enrolled by the close of business on Friday 24 August 2007. Enrol now, or enrolment forms are available at PostShops, by calling 0800 ENROL NOW (0800 36 76 56) or by freetexting your name and address to 36 76.   You can also check your details and enrol online at the website. The best option, however, is to enrol straightaway so that you know that you will receive voting papers and will be able to cast a valid vote.

     

  • Can I enrol after 24 August and still have a vote?

    Yes, but your enrolment form must be dropped off to any PostShop or be posted by or on Friday 12 October 2007.  You will also need to request a ‘special declaration’ voting paper from your local council electoral officer.

     

  • What is the Ratepayer Roll?

    The Ratepayer roll is a list of people who own property within a local council area but who usually live outside this. Electors who are on the Ratepayer roll are able to vote in the local council area in which they usually live (and are enrolled to vote in) and for the local council area where they are registered on the Ratepayer roll.Eligible electors who own property in a local council area they don't usually live in, need to apply to go on the Ratepayer roll if they are interested in voting in this area.

     

  • How do I go on the Ratepayer roll?

    To go on the Ratepayer roll, you need to apply to the electoral officer for the local council area in which you own property but do not usually live. The electoral officer will send you out a form to complete, sign and return so they can check your eligibility.

     

     

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