Don’t panic!! Voting papers on their way

Voting in the local election has begun! Remember – if you don’t vote by midday Saturday 11 October – you’re not in the boat.

We know that mail can take a little longer to reach remote and rural communities, so if you haven’t received your voting papers yet … Don’t panic! They’re on their way!

Be aware that voting packs are sent out in batches. If someone in your household has received their papers, but you haven’t – please be patient. Enrolled electors should receive their papers in coming days. However, if you haven’t got yours by Monday 22 September, you may need to cast a special vote (see below for more details).

Still unsure about voting in the local elections? We provide all the details you need on who can vote, how to vote, and who is standing for election on our Local Elections 2025 webpages. Need to talk to someone in person? No problem. Staff at any one of our eight service centres can help or you can catch up with our election team running our Mobile Ballot Box Tour. They will be visiting communities around the district to answer your questions about this year's election and help anyone wanting to enrol and/or vote.

How to STV

If you’re wondering what Single Transferable Voting (STV) is then please read on and watch our video included in this story. The Far North is one of 15 councils in Aotearoa that uses Single Transferable Voting.

STV is a way of voting that allows you to rank the candidates you choose in order of preference. To do this, on your voting form put a ‘1’ in the box next to the candidate you like best. Next, put a ‘2’ next to your second favourite candidate and so on. You can vote for as many or as few candidates as you like but for your vote to be counted, there must be at least a single '1' filled in correctly on your form.

How candidates are elected using STV

Candidates must reach a certain number of votes, or a quota, to get elected. The quota is based on the total number of votes and the number of vacant positions.

First, the number ‘1’ preferences of all voters are counted. If a candidate has reached the quota required, then they are elected. Once a candidate is elected, only the proportion of the votes they need to reach the quota is assigned to them. All votes, beyond the quota, are transferred to the candidate with the second highest tally of votes. The quota is applied to the second placed candidate and any votes beyond the quota are transferred to the third placed candidate, and so on.

If no more candidates have enough votes to reach the quota to be elected, then the lowest polling candidate is eliminated and all their votes are transferred to those voters’ next preferences.

You can see a demonstration of how this works at www.stv.govt.nz.

What you are voting for

All eligible voters can vote for:

• The Far North Mayor
• Your local community board – based on the subdivision you live in
• Your Northland Regional Council representative(s) – based on the constituency area you live in.

In addition, depending on the roll you are on:

• General Roll voters will vote for Far North Councillors based on the ward you live in, e.g. Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Ward, Kaikohe-Hokianga Ward or Te Hiku Ward
• Māori Roll voters will vote for Ngā Tai o Tokerau Māori Ward Councillors.

Go here to find out how to check which electoral roll you are on.

Māori Ward Poll

A critical decision this election does not ask you to rank options. All Far North electors will also be asked whether to keep or remove the Far North District Māori ward, and whether to keep or remove the Northland Regional Council Māori constituency. Decisions made in the Māori Ward Poll this year will be applied at local elections in 2028 and 2031. You can find out more about the Māori Ward Poll in an animation in te reo Māori and English here.

Posting or lodging your vote

Once you’ve filled in your voting papers, pop them in the post using the envelope included in your voting pack. The council is also providing ballot boxes at seven of its eight service centres. Voters in Paihia can visit the Paihia Library to lodge their vote.

Special votes

If you haven't received your voting papers in the mail by Monday 22 September, or if you haven’t yet enrolled, or you enrolled or updated your details after 1 August, you will need to complete a special vote. Find out how by visiting our pepa meka (fact sheet) page on our website.

Voting closes at midday Saturday 11 October. Only three voting locations will be open on the final day of voting. These will be at our Kerikeri, Kaikohe, and Kaitāia service centres.

Please contact the FNDC Electoral Office to request a special vote on 0800 922 822 or specialvotes@electionservices.org.nz

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Single Transferable Voting is part of the election this year. How does it work? Watch this video to find out.

I tēnei tau ka ū tonu te Pōti Whakawhiti Kotahi (STV). Me pēhea e mahi ai?Tirohia tēnei ataata mo ngā whakawhānuitanga.

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