Local elections in New Zealand

Local elections in New Zealand are held every three years to elect local government politicians across the country. Voting occurs from early September until the second Saturday in October via post. Citizens or permanent residents over the age of 18 can vote in the place they live or in a council area they pay rates in. Mayors and local councillors are elected in the cities and districts, while regional councillors are elected in the regions.

Councils run their own elections, determining the number of councillors, number of wards, whether to have Māori wards, and various other aspects of the elections. Councils choose which voting system to use, either first-past-the-post or single transferable vote. Councils choose their own rules regarding campaigning and advertisements, though it is required that before the final day these must be taken down.

In 1989, the Fourth Labour Government launched a series of reforms to local government that meant the number of local bodies (and thus local elections) was greatly reduced. The provinces of New Zealand held elections from 1853 until they were abolished in 1876.

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