Te ara pōti i ngā pōtitanga ā-rohe How to vote in local elections

Steps to complete your vote 

• Receive voting pack in the post
  
• Postal option - Return your completed vote by post in a NZ Post box (free postage included on your return envelope)
  
• Vote box option - Drop your completed vote into a vote box
  
• Progress results available after the close of voting
  
• Preliminary results available
  
• Final count published
  
• Official results declared in a public notice
  

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. 

How to vote step by step 

1. Find out about your candidates: Read the candidate statements in the voting booklet included in your official voting pack. You can also read each candidate's views on key topics, such as transport, environment and water on this website during the voting period.

2.  Vote for mayor: Tick one name in this section.

3. Vote for your ward councillor(s): Tick one or two names in this section. Look for the number of candidates you can select. It will be listed near the top.

4. Vote for your local board members: Tick five to 11 names in this section. Look for the number of candidates you can select. It will be listed near the top.

5. Vote for licensing trustees: If your paper has a licensing trust section, tick six to 10 names in this section. Look for the number of candidates you can select. It will be listed near the top.

6. Prepare your vote for return: Fold your voting paper and place it in the return envelope.

7. Drop off your vote: Place your sealed envelope in the vote box.

What to do if you do not get your voting papers 

If your voting pack has not arrived in the post, you can cast a special vote.

Why your voting pack may not arrive 

Your voting pack may not have arrived if:

• you have recently changed address
• you are on the unpublished electoral roll.

What vote boxes look like 

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.

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.