How to vote in local elections

How to return your vote 

Watch a video on how to vote

Read a full transcript of this video.

Watch this video in New Zealand Sign Language. 

Post your vote 

You should post your completed vote using any New Zealand Post box by Tuesday 7 October 2025 so it can reach us before 12 noon on election day, Saturday 11 October 2025.

Drop off your vote 

There will be a number of locations throughout the Auckland where you can drop off your completed voting paper. This includes some libraries, supermarkets and transport stations. 

What vote boxes look like 

Rectangular vote box, featuring orange colouring, the Auckland Council logo and the text "Drop your vote in here before midday Saturday 11th October. Vote here."

Why we use postal voting 

Auckland Council cannot run online local elections. This is due to current electoral legislation set up by central government that only allows booth or postal voting for local elections.

What your voting paper will look like 

A mock-up of the local elections voting document showing the candidates, barcodes and boxes to tick for mayor, ward councillors and local board members.
Mock-up of vote showing the candidates and boxes to tick for mayor, ward councillors and local board members..

An example of a local elections voting paper showing sample candidates and check boxes.

Steps to complete your vote 

  • Receive voting pack in the post:
    Tuesday 9 September to Monday 22 September 2025
  • Postal option - Return your completed vote by post in a NZ Post box (free postage included on your return envelope):
    Tuesday 9 September to Tuesday 7 October 2025
  • Vote box option - Drop your completed vote into a vote box:
    Tuesday 9 September to Saturday 11 October 2025
  • Progress results available after the close of voting:
    Saturday 11 October 2025
  • Preliminary results available:
    Saturday 11 October 2025
  • Final count published:
    Tuesday 14 October to Friday 17 October 2025
  • Official results declared in a public notice:
    Friday 17 October 2025

You must drop your voting document into one of our vote boxes before 12 noon on Saturday 11 October 2025. Late votes will not be counted.

How the winners are decided 

All local government organisations holding elections within the Auckland area use the First Past the Post (FPP) electoral system. 

First Past the Post electoral system 

When voting in a First Past the Post election, you tick the name of the candidate(s) you want elected. You get the same number of votes as there are positions available. For example, if there are three positions, you can vote for three candidates.

When the votes are counted, the candidates with the most votes are elected.