2010 Local Elections

The next local government elections will be held in October 2010, at the same time as the elections for district health boards (DHBs).

Information for candidates

Councils and community boards need interesting and interested people to stand for election.  If you're passionate about your community or have a strong interest in local democracy, you should consider standing for election.  Your community needs elected members from all walks of life to represent New Zealand's diversity.

elections2010.co.nz portal

Local Government Online, in conjunction with LGNZ, has today launched the candidate's side of the www.elections2010.co.nz web portal. You may have read about the www.elections2010.co.nz in the LGNZ Making a Stand brochure or information provided directly by your council.

It is a tool that is free to use and gives you the opportunity to engage with the community and promote the issues that matter to you. LGOL have worked closely with the SOLGM Electoral Working Party in developing the portal and the resource is designed to complement official and individual candidate activity.

For more information read the announcement or email LGOL.

Making a stand made easy - a candidate's guide to local government

This handbook prepared by Local Government New Zealand is available online (pdf) and in hard copy through your local council.

Please note that the website for Manukau City Council has been omitted.  You can visit Manukau City Council's website here.

Making a stand made easy - branding for council publications

The branding used in Making a Stand Made Easy is also available for councils to utilise in their own publications in line with usage guidelines.

The image files and guidelines are available for download. (zip folder, 3.65MB)

Information and resources for councils

Local Government New Zealand has prepared a range of resources for our member councils to help promote enrolment, encourage candidates to stand, and get more people voting.

These resources have been sent out to councils and are available for download:

Powerpoint template

Media Release templates (Word document)

These media releases are not prescriptive - they are suggestions for councils to use if relevant to highlight information pertinent to their region. 

Timeline

Hard copies of Making a Stand Made Easy will be mailed out to council electoral officers by 17 May 2010.  The backgrounders on FPP and STV voting below could also be used by councils to inform voters.

Other material

The Electoral Enrolment Centre's posters and other material can be ordered online through their website.  The page will be updated with their local elections material as soon as it is printed.

Information for voters

Local government elections are conducted using either the First Past the Post (FPP) or the Single Transferable Vote (STV) voting systems.  All DHB members are elected using the STV system.

Local Government New Zealand  has prepared backgrounders on FPP and STV voting for councils and voters:

To vote in local government and DHB elections, and to stand as a candidate, you need to be enrolled on the electoral roll. You can call 0800 ENROL NOW (0800 36 76 56) for more information, or click here to enrol or check your enrolment details.

Important dates

23 July                            

Candidate nominations open

20 August

Candidate nominations close
Roll closes

25 August

Public notice given of candidates' names

17-22 September

Voting documents delivered

9 October

Voting closes 12 noon

11-20 October

Results announced

November

New elected members sworn in

 


Last updated: August 2010

Important Links

Elections NZ
Enrol to vote 

elections2010.co.nz
Candidates' portal

New Auckland Council elections page

Local Councils
Information provided by the Department of Internal Affairs

DHB Elections
STV voting and other information

Kids Voting
For councils and schools