Te ara pōti i ngā pōtitanga ā-rohe How to vote in local elections
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 visit voteauckland.co.nz/candidates to find candidate views on key topics, such as transport, environment and water.
2. Vote for mayor: Tick one name in this section.
Screenshot of the mayoral section of a voting paper, showing a list of candidates.
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.
Screenshot of the ward councillor section of a voting paper, showing a list of candidates.
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.
Screenshot of the local board member section of a voting paper, showing a list of candidates.
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.
Screenshot of an official licensing trustee section of a voting paper, showing a list of candidates.
6. Prepare your vote for return: Fold your voting paper and place it in the return envelope.
A hand placing an official voting paper into an orange voting envelope.
7. Drop off your vote: Place your sealed envelope in the vote box.
A person posts their voting papers into an official ballot box using the orange voting envelope.
Where to vote
You can return your vote in its return envelope by:
- posting it in any New Zealand Post box, before Tuesday 7 October 2025
- dropping it in an orange vote box before 12 midday on Saturday 11 October 2025. These will be available in all council libraries, selected supermarkets, retailers and transport stations.
Map showing all voting locations.
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.
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:
Monday 13 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.
Related topics
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Who can vote and how to enrol
Make sure you are enrolled to vote in the 2025 local elections. Find out who can vote, how to enrol and check if you are on the electoral roll.
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How local elections work
Take a closer look at how the local elections process works, including the Electoral Commission’s role.
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Key dates for the 2025 local elections
Voting is by postal vote only. Voting closes at 12 noon on Saturday 11 October 2025.
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Why you should vote in the local elections
Read quick facts about the local elections, learn how elected members make decisions that affect you and your local community. Learn why voting is important.
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Find your local board and ward
Find the local board and ward you will be voting in for the 2025 local elections, plus learn more about how they work.
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Teaching and learning resources
Download our teaching and learning resources on the role of local government and elections in our community.