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Whoever we vote for, voters need to be aware of key changes in place for the 2026 general election.
“This year, there’s an important message, that you need to be enrolled before voting starts,” chief electoral officer Karl Le Quesne says. “You won’t be able to enrol or update details when you vote. We need people to know they must be enrolled by October 25. A change to advertising reinforces this.”
The Electoral Commission says 3.6 million enrolment packs will be posted out to enrolled voters to ensure details are up to date for the election on November 7.
“When you get your pack, open it and check your details are correct. The boundaries of many electorates have changed, so check your electorate too.” Locally, Port Waikato’s boundaries remain the same but others, including Papakura and Takanini, have changed since 2023.
“The packs are being delivered August 17–22. If you don’t get one in the mail, it means your address is out of date, or you’re not enrolled,” Le Quesne says.
“More than 3.6 million people are enrolled [but] there is an estimated 440,000 people who are not, including approximately 200,000 18 to 24-year-olds. Talk to your whanau and friends and make sure everyone is enrolled by October 25 so they can vote.”
Although ‘Orange Guy and Pup’ are back to guide New Zealanders through the election process, this year the Electoral Commission’s mascots are leaving behind their orange and purple animated environment and venturing into real world scenes, Le Quesne confirms.
“When people see Orange Guy and Pup, they know an election is coming and that it’s time to enrol and vote.
“We’re calling on everyone to enrol or update their details by October 4 so that they will receive an EasyVote card, [but] the absolute last day to enrol to vote in this election is October 25 and voting starts on October 26.”
People can enrol or update details at vote.nz using a New Zealand driver’s licence, an NZ passport or a RealMe verified identity.
Paper enrollment forms can be ordered by calling 0800367656 or texting names and addresses to 3676. Calls and texts are free.
