1

Are you eligible?

Takes 10 seconds to check

You can enrol if you are:

✓
18 years or older
Turn 17? You can enrol now and your enrolment activates when you turn 18.
✓
A NZ citizen or permanent resident
This includes people from Australia, the Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau who have lived here for 12+ months continuously.
✓
Lived in NZ continuously for 12+ months at some point
Doesn't have to be recently — just at some point in your life.
2

What ID do you have?

This decides which path is fastest for you

Pick whatever you have:

3

Enrol online

About 5 minutes · done on your phone

1
Head to vote.nz
Tap the button below — it opens the Electoral Commission's official enrolment page.
2
Enter your details
Name, address, date of birth, and your phone number or email. These stay private — they're never made public.
3
Verify your identity
Enter your driver licence or passport number. They use this to confirm who you are — it's secure.
4
Done ✓
You'll get a confirmation email. Your name goes on the roll within a few days.
Enrol now at vote.nz →
Already enrolled but moved house? You need to update your address — the same button above will let you do that. Voting papers go to the address on your enrolment.

🌿 Of Māori descent?

You get to choose between the Māori roll and the general roll when you first enrol. Both give you the same party vote — the difference is which electorate candidate you vote for. You can change rolls during the Māori Electoral Option (held every ~5 years). Learn more →

3

Enrol by paper form

Takes a few days by post

Heads up: The paper form still needs a signature and is verified by the Electoral Commission. Without a licence or passport, they may need to contact you to confirm your identity — call them if you're unsure.
1
Get a form — pick the easiest way:
Option A — Text: Freetext your name and address to 3676. They'll post you a form within a few days.

Option B — Call: Ring 0800 36 76 56 (free, 24 hours). They'll post you a form.

Option C — Download: Print it from vote.nz.
2
Fill it in and sign it
Complete all your details. Your signature is required.
3
Return it
Post it back in the freepost envelope provided, or:
📧 Email a photo to enrol@vote.nz
📤 Upload at vote.nz/upload
4
Wait for confirmation
Processing takes a few days. You'll get a confirmation once you're on the roll.
Call 0800 36 76 56 (free) Text your name + address to 3676

🌿 Of Māori descent?

You get to choose between the Māori roll and the general roll when you first enrol. Both give you the same party vote — the difference is which electorate candidate you vote for. Learn more →

?

Common questions

How do I know if I'm already enrolled?
Check at vote.nz/check — takes 30 seconds. You'll need your name and date of birth. If you got an enrolment pack in the mail in April 2025, you were on the roll at that point — but check your address is still current if you've moved.
I've moved — do I need to re-enrol?
Yes. Your voting papers go to your enrolled address. If you've moved and haven't updated, you might miss them. Update your address online at vote.nz using your driver licence or passport — takes 2 minutes.
What's the difference between the Māori roll and the general roll?
If you're of Māori descent you can choose either. Both rolls give you the same party vote — the only difference is which electorate candidate you vote for (a general electorate MP or a Māori electorate MP). You can only change rolls during the Māori Electoral Option, held about every 5 years. More info →
I'm worried about my personal safety — can I stay private?
Yes. You can go on the unpublished roll — your name and address are kept off the public electoral roll. You're still enrolled and can still vote. Call 0800 36 76 56 to request this.
I'm 17 — can I enrol now?
Yes! You can enrol at 17 and your enrolment automatically activates on your 18th birthday. Get it done now so you're ready.
What if I miss the deadline?
You can still enrol after the deadline and cast a special vote — it just takes a bit longer to process. But enrol early to make election day faster and easier. The last day to enrol for the 2026 general election is 25 October 2026.
Is it really compulsory?
Enrolling is legally compulsory if you're eligible and living in New Zealand. Voting itself is optional — but you can't vote without being enrolled first. In practice prosecutions are rare, but the obligation is real.

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All information sourced from the Electoral Commission (vote.nz). This page is not affiliated with the Electoral Commission — it's an independent guide. Always check vote.nz for the latest information and deadlines.