Elections sign rules are listed in the Auckland Transport and Auckland Council Signs Bylaw 2022.
Changes to election sign sites
Auckland Transport recently updated the list of approved election sign sites. Some sites have been removed, as they were no longer appropriate for election signs. Some new sites have also been added to the list.
Check the full list of approved election sign sites on the Auckland Transport website.
How to complain about a sign
If you find a sign that breaks section 122 of the Local Electoral Act 2001 by not identifying who is responsible for publishing or promoting an election-related message, contact the Electoral Officer on 09 973 5212.
If you find a sign that breaks the Signs Bylaw 2022, contact our call centre and register a complaint.
Rules on where you can put up an election sign
Under the Signs Bylaw (clause 17), a sign must include an authorising statement that includes:
- the name of the person officially approving the advertisement
- that person's residential or business address.
This may be the same individual as the contact person for the sign.
Clause 17 allows election signs that are not otherwise allowed as signs. Clause 17 does not apply to billboards, which have their own rules.
Where election signs can be displayed
There are three types of sites for election signs:
- not controlled by the council (for example, private property)
- controlled by the council (for example, a specific location where election signs are legally allowed on a road or park)
- a moving or non-moving vehicle or trailer.
Rules for all election signs
All election signs must:
- only be displayed within the nine-week period before election day. The nine-week period before election day begins on Saturday 9 August 2025 (at 12.01 am)
- display the name, contact details and phone number of the person responsible for installing, maintaining and removing the sign. These must be readable from a distance of 1m so council staff responding to a sign issue can contact the person
- follow rules in the bylaw (clauses 19 to 29) applying to all signs
- be removed before midnight on the day before election day, Saturday 11 October 2025
- have a maximum size display area of 3m² for each panel
- not be lit internally or externally by artificial lighting
- not include any changeable message (for example, any mechanical or electronic moving images or displays)
- not include any moveable part or light that is intended to draw attention to the sign
- have any alterations or additions securely fixed within the area of the sign (for example, posters, pamphlets, flags or other material attached to a sign).