Updated: Who can vote?

Posted: 26/02/15

Whangarei are holding a referendum to decide the fate of the former Harbour Board building in the Town Basin.

5/3/15:  new information for non-resident ratepayers

The rules for who can vote in a local government referendum are set by the relevant parliamentary Act, not the WDC.

Who can vote in the referendum?

  1. All resident electors who are registered on the Whangarei District Council Resident Electoral Roll.
    It does not matter if you are on the General Roll or the Maori Roll, if you are registered as being in the Whangarei District you can vote.
  2. All non-resident ratepayer electors who are registered on the Whangarei District Council Ratepayer Electoral Roll.

The second category is for people who own property in the WDC area but reside outside of the WDC area. There is only one vote per ratepayer entity and each entity needs to nominate an eligible elector. Non-resident ratepayers much register to vote.

You can download the Non-Resident Ratepayer Registration Form from the WDC website here.

You’ll need to print the form, complete it and post it to the Whangarei District Council. Registrations must be received by 9th April 2015 to be on the mailing list for the referendum documentation and voting papers.

Non-resident ratepayers can check if they are already on the Whangarei District Electoral Roll by phoning 0800 922 822 or physically checking the Roll (at the Whangarei District Library). Unfortunately you cannot check this online.

How do you vote?

The referendum is being held by postal ballot, which means if you are on the Whangarei District Electoral Roll the WDC will post you the relevant documentation and voting papers and you will return your vote by mail.

The referendum documentation will be posted on 14th May 2015. Voting closes midday on 5th June 2015.

If you’re going to be away during the voting period, you can phone 0800 922 822 to make arrangements to vote.

What you need to do now!

If you live in Whangarei and you want to vote, you need to check you are enrolled in the Whangarei District. Do it right now! And if you’re not, you need to enrol yourself.

It’s easy and you can do it all here: https://enrol.elections.org.nz/app/enrol/#/check

If you don’t live in Whangarei but pay rates to the WDC, download this form so you can register to vote in the referendum.

Then what?

Spread the word. Tell your friends, whanau and colleagues that if they want to vote, they must get enrolled!

We’ll keep you updated on timeframes when we know more.

What do you do if you can’t vote, but want to show support?

  1. Add your name to the YES! list here.
  2. LIKE the Facebook page here.
  3. Make sure everyone you know who can vote is enrolled, informed and voting for the Hundertwasser art centre!