Enrolling to vote is the first step in making sure your voice is heard at this year’s local election.
If you didn’t receive an enrolment update pack in early April it means your voting details are out of date – or you’re not enrolled.
The good news is enrolling to vote is easy – head online to vote.nz to update your details or enrol. It takes less than five minutes.
If you’re of Maaori descent, you can choose to be on the Maaori roll or the general roll. If you want to change between rolls before the local election, you need to do it by midnight, Thursday 10 July.
Come October, enrolled voters get to have a say on who Hamilton’s new mayor and next crop of city councillors will be. Alongside the local election, Council will also be holding a poll asking voters if they want to keep or remove the Maaori ward.
Hamilton currently has one citywide Maaori ward – the Kirikiriroa Maaori Ward – made up of two seats. The ward was established after community engagement in 2021 and provides representation for Maaori who otherwise may not have a voice in decision-making. The binding poll on Maaori wards is compulsory for most councils in New Zealand and the outcome will come into effect at the 2028 local election.
Deputy Electoral Officer Amy Viggers said it’s important all eligible Hamilton voters have the chance to have their say at the ballot box.
“Enrolling to vote is easy and sorting it out now means you’re ready to have your voice heard later in the year.
“We know Hamiltonians are passionate about our great river city and voting in the local election means you get to have a say in how Hamilton is run.
“Simply put, your voice matters and it’s important for the community to have their say.”
You can enrol to vote as a resident if you:
- are 18 years or older on or before 10 October 2025
- are a New Zealand citizen or a permanent resident, and
- have lived in New Zealand continuously for 12 months or more at some time in your life.
If you own property in Hamilton but live elsewhere you may be able to enrol as a non-resident ratepayer elector and vote in both areas.
Simply download an Enrolment Form for Ratepayer Electors, fill it in and email it to ratepayer@electionservices.co.nz or post it to Electoral Officer, PO Box 5135, Victoria Street West, Auckland 1142.
Take action, Hamilton and enrol to vote. The future depends on you.
For more information about the Maaori ward polls, visit vote.nz