Horizons encourages people to enrol to vote

Horizons Regional Council is urging people to make sure they are enrolled and their details are up to date ahead of this year’s local government elections.

Horizons’ electoral officer Warwick Lampp says this year’s elections on 11 October will not only decide who will represent the region as councillors for the next three years, but also if Horizons retains its two Māori constituency seats.
 
“While the two Māori constituency seats will be in place for the 2025-28 council term, the result of the referendum will determine if those seats are in place for the 2028 and 2031 electoral cycles.
 
“People wanting to take part in the election of councillors and/or the referendum must be enrolled in the region.
 
“The Electoral Commission has been sending enrolment packs to everyone already on the roll during the first two weeks of April. It is important people aim to get enrolled as soon as possible. If people leave it too late, they will not get voting papers sent in the mail. 
 
“People currently 17 years old who will turn 18 on or before 11 October can enrol provisionally. Those people should contact the Electoral Commission either online at vote.nz or by calling 0800 36 76 56.”
 
People who can be on the Māori roll and want to switch rolls should update their details as soon as possible, says Mr Lampp.
 
“People of Māori descent who want to change roll, either to the general or Māori roll, must do so before midnight 10 July. While anyone enrolled can vote and take part in the referendum, people on the Māori roll will vote for candidates in the Māori constituencies.”
 
“Recent arrivals to Aotearoa New Zealand can also enrol, as long as they are a permanent resident or New Zealand citizen and have lived in the country for 12 months or more.”
 
Enrolling to vote is an important part of ensuring the 14 councillors for the next term are a true representation of the region’s communities, says Mr Lampp.
 
“People standing for Horizons need to be enrolled. Anyone thinking about standing for election should make sure their details are up to date.”
 
People can learn more about the enrolment process, update enrolment details and enrol online at vote.nz. More information is also available by calling 0800 36 76 56, or on the Horizons website at bit.ly/HRCelections.