Elections 101: How you can take part in the local elections

In fact, addressing these issues and many more are key priorities for Wellington City Council, with the goal to make our city fit for the future.

Many people vote because they are passionate about specific things in the city, others vote because it’s their right. Here’s how you can take part. 

How you can enrol

You can enrol to vote or update your enrolment details at vote.nz. Enrolling is easy to do – it takes 30 seconds to do online on the Electoral Commission website.

You can also:

• email enrol@vote.nz
• call 0800 36 76 56, or
• freetext your name and address to 3676

The last day to enrol to cast an ordinary vote is 1 August 2025.

You can enrol after this date (up until 10 October 2025) but you’ll need to cast a special vote.

Enrolment packs

If you’re enrolled to vote for the parliamentary elections, then you’re automatically enrolled for Council elections too.

If you’re enrolled, you would have received an enrolment update pack in the mail in early April. If all your details are correct then you don’t need to do anything. If you didn’t receive an enrolment update pack, you’re either not enrolled or you need to update your address or enrolment details.

Who can enrol

You can enrol as a resident if you:

• Are 18-years or older
• Are a New Zealand Citizen or permanent resident
• Have lived in New Zealand continuously for 12 months or more at some time in your life.

If you’re unsure where to enrol, you can enrol at the address where you spend a substantial part of your time. You can also enrol at the last residential address where you lived for at least one month, even if that was some time ago.

If you need help with enrolling or have accessibility needs, the Electoral Commission can help on their website.

General or Māori roll

If you’re Māori, you can choose to enrol on the General roll or the Māori roll

Wellington city is divided into six wards - five geographic wards and the Te Whanganui-a-Tara Māori ward. Māori roll voters elect a Māori ward councillor, and general roll voters elect general ward councillors in their geographic area.

The last day you can change between rolls is 10 July 2025 for the 2025 local elections. Both residents and non-resident ratepayers can be on the Māori roll.

How to enrol as a non-resident ratepayer

If you own property in Wellington but live elsewhere you may be able to enrol as a non-resident ratepayer elector and vote in both areas. You can check your eligibility and enrol through our election provider: 

Enrol as a non-resident ratepayer online.

You can also fill in the Enrolment Form for Ratepayer Electors (158KB PDF) and return it by 1 August 2025, via one of the following methods:

• Email: nrr@electionz.com
• Post: Ratepayer Elector Enrolments, PO Box 3138, Christchurch 8140
• In person: drop it off at the Council head office reception, Level 16, 113 The Terrace.

You can only enrol, or be nominated to enrol, once in each Council area, no matter how many properties you own in that area.

For more information:

More information is available for voters and candidates at wellington.govt.nz/elections, including nomination forms, key dates, FAQs, ward maps, and details about the Māori ward poll.