2016 Local Elections

We want more Kiwis to get involved.

Healthy democracy depends on New Zealanders voting this October in the 2016 local authority elections.

During the past ten months, we've been having a conversation with Kiwis around what's important to them, nationally and locally.

LGNZ's Vote2016 campaign has been about listening and engaging on the issues that matter to locals that will make New Zealand a better place to live, work and play.

It's about aligning our communities' views with those of candidates, and supporting candidates as they stand.

Finally, it's been about people having their say at the October elections and voting for the issues that they care about for their family, business and community.

Preliminary voter turnout 2016

View the tables here for voter turnout statistics from the 2016 local elections. The figures are broken into metro, rural and provincial areas. This page will be updated as we receive preliminary results information from the local councils.

For election results in your area, please visit electionz.com or your local council website.


Useful information

Vote Day

To make sure people had their say we encouraged them to post their papers on Saturday 1 October - or 'Vote Day'. Click here for further information.

Voters

Your vote makes a difference. Click here for further information on how you can be involved in Vote2016.

Kids Voting

The Kids Voting initiative was aimed at 11-15 year old students (school years 7 to 10) to experience the election process first hand: considering and discussing key issues, voting for candidates on real issues, and being able to compare their results against the official election results. Click here for further information.

Candidates

Click here for a wide range of useful information for candidates.

Partners

Vote2016 involved national agencies, organisations and businesses who have an interest in the best local government for New Zealand. Click here for further information.

Campaign and research

Local elections turnout in New Zealand has been declining since the 1980s. Vote2016 has aimed to lift voter numbers above 50 per cent nationally for the first time since 1998. Click here for further information around our independent research.

Media

For media enquiry contacts, a list of key dates you should be aware of and a range of useful guides click here.

Key dates for the 2016 elections

15 July Candidate nominations open and roll opens for public inspection 15 July - 12 August at 12pm Receipt of candidate nominations 12 August at 12pm Candidate nominations close and roll closes 17 August Public notice of candidate's names 16 - 21 September Voting documents delivered 13 September - 5 October Special voting period 16 September - 8 October Progressive roll scrutiny, special voting, early processing 8 October at 12pm Election day – voting closes midday 8 October from 12pm Preliminary results 13 – 19 October Declaration of results October/November Elected members' swearing in ceremonies

Contact details for Council Electoral Officers