Did you know…?
- NZ law requires you to be enrolled to vote. It’s compulsory to be enrolled if you qualify — but voting is optional.
- You must be enrolled to vote if you’re over 18, have lived in New Zealand for more than 1 year continuously at some time in your life, and are a NZ citizen or permanent resident.
- You can enrol online easy peasy.
- If you don’t enrol, you could be fined $100. This goes up to $200 if you’ve been fined once and you still don’t enrol.
- You can’t enrol if you’re a NZ citizen who hasn’t been in NZ for the last 3 years, or if you’re a permanent resident who hasn’t been in NZ within the last 12 months.
- If you’re Cook Island Māori, Niuean or Tokelauan you can enrol once you’ve lived in NZ continuously for 1 year. You don’t have to have permanent residency to vote.
Need a reason to vote? How about 5?
With thanks and acknowledgement to Ara Taiohi Youth Week.