2008 media releases
- ARTICLES
Promoter statement requirements
Election advertisements must contain promoter statements which are clearly displayed. Candidates, party secretaries and third party promoters are asked to make sure people preparing and displaying advertisements are aware of this requirement. Read more »
Telephone canvassing, polling or surveys
The Electoral Commission reminds all candidates, party secretaries and third party promoters that telephone canvassing, survey or polling may be election advertising in certain circumstances, and so trigger authorisation and promoter statement requirements. Read more »
Broadcasting allocation 2011 - Invitation to political parties
Political parties (registered and not-yet-registered) that may be eligible for an allocation of broadcasting time for opening and closing addresses or money for the purposes of broadcasting election programmes for the 2011 General Election must give written notice to the Electoral Commission by 5pm, Thursday 17 March 2011. Read more »
Electoral Commission decisions on election advertising matters
Two decisions released today: report to the Police a lack of written permission from parties to publish election advertisements in their favour; find that the covering of a billboard promoter statement by an adding a flash was not wilful. Read more »
Electoral Commission decisions on election advertising matters
In three decisions released today: a balloon bearing a party logo and website, displayed at a university club day, is not an election advertisement; party items are not "published" under the law at two parties' events when handed or displayed to a journalist. Read more »
Electoral Commission decisions on election advertising matters
Four decisions released today found that two flyers, a jacket, and two signs were all election advertisements and lacked correctly displayed promoter statements. Three of the offences have been referred to the Police. Read more »
2008 general election writ returned and successful list members elected
The Chief Electoral Officer, Robert Peden, has returned the writ for the 2008 General Election showing the names of the successful electorate candidates. He has also declared the successful list members to be elected. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-43, National Party, Cobb & Co Paraparaumu, election advertisement
Advertisement in the Kapiti Observer sponsored by Cobb & Co Paraparaumu is an election advertisement in favour of the National Party, did not contain a satisfactory promoter statement, and its publication was not authorised in writing by the National Party. The failure to obtain written authorisation of the Party will be reported to the Police. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-42, National Party (anti), election advertisements
National Party polices released by Trevor Mallard MP and Jim Anderton MP are not election advertisements within the meaning of section 5 of the Electoral Finance Act 2007 and therefore their publication is not governed by the requirements of the Act. Read more »
New Zealand General Election 2008 - Official Results
The Chief Electoral Officer has declared the official results for the 2008 General Election. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-41, various broadcasters, election programmes, election advertisements
Live broadcast of the Prime Minister’s election date announcement is not an election advertisement within the meaning of the Electoral Finance Act, and is not a prohibited election programme within the meaning of the Broadcasting Act. Read more »
Enrolment records set for 2008 General Election
The Electoral Enrolment Centre has set new records for enrolment in the 2008 General Election. Read more »
Preliminary election results
The Chief Electoral Officer has released the preliminary results for the 2008 general election. Read more »
Voting in the 2008 general election ends
Voting in the 2008 general election has now closed. Read more »
Today is election day
New Zealanders can vote at any polling place in the country - but voting in your electorate is the easiest way to vote. Read more »
Chief Electoral Office tips for making voting easy on Saturday
The Chief Electoral Office is giving voters three tips to making voting easier on Election Day. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-38, NZ First, annual returns of donations 2005-7
(Full Decision Released) Donations made to NZ First in the 2005, 2006 and 2007 years were not included in the party’s annual returns of donations. No offence committed by the Party Secretary in respect of 2007 return. NZ First is required to file amended returns and accompanying auditor’s reports for 2005 and 2006 (since received without auditor's reports). Read more »
Final hours to enrol to vote for Saturday's election
Tens of thousands of people are about to miss out on this year’s election unless - with just hours left to go - they take action and enrol now. Read more »
Chief Electoral Office media guidance about election day activity
Information from the Chief Electoral Office about election day campaigning, scrutineer and media activity and election results. Read more »
Electoral Commission decisions on election advertising matters
Two decisions released today find that that the posting of a Labour Party video on YouTube without a promoter statement was not wilful, and that an ACT New Zealand candidate's advertisements were not election advertisements in favour of the National party. Read more »
Tens of thousands vote early in the 2008 general election
The Chief Electoral Officer says at least 58,000 people have already voted in the 2008 general election. Read more »
Orange Sky Tower beams an election reminder
Auckland's Sky Tower is lighting itself Elections Orange from tomorrow night (Sat, 1 Nov '08) through until election night, Sat 8 Nov. Read more »
Ngā kāri pōtingāwari me ngā mōkihi e tukuna ki ngā kaipōti
E whakahaeretia ana tētahi tukutanga mēra pōtitanga nui o ngā kāri PōtiNgāwari 2.9 miriona me ngā mōkihi pārongo, ina ko tā Te Tari Pōti Matua he mahi ki te tino whakamāmā i te pōti i te pōtitanga whānui 2008. Read more »
EasyVote cards and packs in voters' hands from tomorrow
The Chief Electoral Office is conducting a major election mailout of 2.9 million EasyVote cards and information packs to make voting in the 2008 General Election as easy as possible. Read more »
Electoral Commission decisions on election advertising and donations matters
Three Electoral Commission decisions released today find: Tui billboards alluding to a politician are not election advertisements, ACT New Zealand failed to disclose donations of office space in 2005 and earlier years and is required to file amended returns, and NZ First's secretary has not committed an offence in respect of the party's 2007 donation return and is required to file amended returns for 2005 and 2006. Read more »
New Zealanders overseas can start voting
The Chief Electoral Office says New Zealanders around the world can start voting. Read more »
First votes in 2008 General Election cast tomorrow
The Chief Electoral Office says the first votes in the 2008 General Election will be cast tomorrow (Wednesday 22 October) by voters who can't get to a polling place in their electorate on Election Day. Read more »
Update to candidate nominations for Tāmaki Makaurau electorate
The Chief Electoral Officer has accepted the nomination of Marama Nathan as an independent candidate for the Tāmaki Makaurau electorate. Read more »
Chief Electoral Office releases full list of parties and candidates for the 2008 election - Updated
The Chief Electoral Office has released the nominations for the 2008 General Election, with 19 registered political parties and 682 candidates contesting the election. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-35, Beehive website, election advertisements
Specified items on the Government (Beehive) website are not election advertisements within the meaning of section 5 of the Electoral Finance Act 2007. Read more »
One in five young people leaving others to make election decisions for them
One in five young people are leaving it up to their parents, grandparents or mates to decide about their future by failing to enrol to vote for the 8 November General Election. Read more »
Nominations close
Party list and candidate nominations for the 2008 general election have closed. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-34, Radio Network, election advertisements, election programmes
NewsTalk ZB talkback programme hosted by Winston Peters MP is not an election advertisement with the meaning of the Electoral Finance Act. NewsTalk ZB talkback programme hosted by Shane Jones MP is an election advertisement, did not contain a promoter statement, and the offence will be reported to the Police. Both programmes are prohibited election programmes within the meaning of the Broadcasting Act, and the offences will be reported to the Police. Read more »
Electoral Commission decisions on election advertising matters
The Electoral Commission released four decisions today relating to complaints received under the Electoral Finance Act 2007. Read more »
Governor-General gives formal go-ahead for election candidate nominations to open tomorrow
The Governor-General Hon Anand Satyanand has given the green light for this year’s general election to be held on Saturday 8 November, clearing the way for candidate nominations to open tomorrow 9 October 2008. Read more »
MMP knowledge nears all time pre-election high
New Zealand voters head to the polls in a month's time with the highest level of MMP knowledge pre-election since the first MMP election in 1996, according to research results released today by the Electoral Commission. Read more »
Last plea to enrol by Wednesday 8 October
Wednesday is the cut off date to enrol and make it on to the printed electoral roll used on Election Day, 8 November. Read more »
Twenty-one parties registered to contest party vote
The Electoral Commission has made final party and logo registration decisions today (Fri, 3 Oct '08) ahead of the general election, with 21 parties now eligible to contest the party vote. Read more »
Antarctica aiming for 100 percent voter turnout
One of the world’s most remote voting places will be established at Scott Base for the 2008 general election and aims to get a 100 percent voter turnout. Read more »
Annual report 2008
The annual report of the Electoral Commission for the year ended 30 Jun '08 was provided to the Minister of Justice on 30 Sep '08 and published by the commission on 2 Oct '08. Read more »
Deadline looming to enrol for an EasyVote
Almost 36,000 people have enrolled or updated their details since the election date was announced, but a further 235,000 are running out of time to enrol and make voting easy for themselves. Read more »
Thirteen-year-olds set to 'vote' in record numbers
More than 24,000 year nine students from across New Zealand will be among the first to ‘cast their votes’ in the 8 November general election through Kids Voting, a programme educating and enthusing voters of the future with real life experiences of the campaign and simulated election processes. Read more »
2008 General Election Media Kit
The Chief Electoral Office 2008 General Election Media Kit Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-29, Jim Anderton's Progressive, electronic newsletter
"JIM’s e-News" of 16 May did not contain a promoter statement. The offence will be reported to the Police. Read more »
Application to register political party logo
Public comment is invited by 5pm, Thu, 2 Oct '08, on an application to register a logo for New Zealand Representative Party. Read more »
Thousands of voters get enrolment warning for the Saturday 8 November Election
Voters are being warned to make sure their vote counts in the Saturday 8 November election by getting correctly enrolled to vote now. Read more »
Election date announcement puts Chief Electoral Office in top gear
The Chief Electoral Office will now swing in to full gear to make voting as easy and accessible as possible for voters for the 2008 general election on Saturday 8 November 2008. Read more »
Last call for parties, logos, and third parties to contest general election
The Electoral Commission needs to receive applications to register parties or logos early next week, while third parties have until 10 Oct to apply to list in respect of the 8 Nov general election. Read more »
Kua kōkiri atu te tari pōtitanga matua ki āna
Kua kakari tonu te Tari Pōtitanga Matua kia māmā te tutuki me te whai wāhi ki te pōti mō ngā kaipōti mō te pōtitanga whānui 2008 ā te Rāhoroi 8 o Whiringa-ā-rangi/Noema 2008. Read more »
Applications to register political party logos
Public comment is invited by 5pm, Thurs, 25 Sep '08, on applications to register logos for the Aotearoa Legalise Cannabis Party and the Independent National Party. Read more »
Electoral Commission sets deadline for returns and detail from New Zealand First
The commission is requiring New Zealand First to produce promised amended party donation returns and auditor's reports no later than Tue, 30 Sep '08, along with a more detailed explanation of the circumstances leading to the need to file amended returns. Read more »
Electoral Commission to consider NZ First correspondence about party donation returns
The commission has received formal correspondence from the president of New Zealand First in respect of the party's annual donation returns for 2005, 2006, and 2007. Read more »
Get ready and vote the easy way DVD launched
New information resources to make it easy for people with a disability to vote at this year’s election have been launched: Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-28, Democrats for Social Credit, late annual donation return
The Democrats for Social Credit donation return for 2007 was filed after the due date. There was not a reasonable excuse for the late filing. The offence will be reported to the Police. Read more »
e-news No.12 - September '08
New election-focused resources for a range of audiences with differing needs, efforts to enrol the mainly-younger adults missing from the electoral roll, and rewards for electoral research all feature in this edition. Read more »
Applications to register political party logos
Public comment is invited by 5pm, Thurs, 11 Sep '08, on applications to register logos for RAM - Residents Action Movement and for Workers Party. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-27, The Alliance, late annual donations return
There was a reasonable excuse for the late filing, therefore no offence was committed. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-26, National Party, policy document
A policy document displayed in a street window and handed out to the public is not an election advertisement. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-25, Employers and Manufacturers Association (Northern) Inc, election advertisement
A newspaper advertisement is an election advertisement, and the value exceeds the limit at which the unlisted third party was required to list. The facts will be reported to the Police. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-24, New Zealand First, Hutt Valley Chamber of Commerce meeting flyer
A flyer inviting people to a meeting with Winston Peters is not an election advertisement. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-23, Labour Party, campaign caravan
A campaign caravan lacks a promoter statement, but no offence committed as the contravention is not wilful. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-22, National Party, meeting leaflet
A leaflet inviting people to a meeting with John Key is not an election advertisement. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-21, Labour Party, election advertisement
A newspaper advertisement is not an election advertisement. Read more »
Face-to-face with young adults for Youth Enrolment Week
Youth Enrolment Week starts today with a focus on being out on the streets, on campus and in the community, as part of a face-to-face bid to get 18 to 24 year olds enrolled to vote. Read more »
Challenge issued to improve number of young Kiwis enrolled to vote for the 2008 General Election
The Electoral Enrolment Centre is issuing a challenge to young people and organisations across the country to each get five 18-24 year olds enrolled to vote during a targeted youth enrolment drive in August. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-20, EPMU listing as a third party
The EPMU will be listed as a third party on Monday, 4 August 2008, unless the commission is restrained by court order. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-19, NZ First, late annual donations return
Late annual donations return for 2007, but no offence committed due to reasonable excuse. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-18, Green Party, late s54 donation return
Late return disclosing donation exceeding $20,000 but no offence committed due to reasonable excuse. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-17, Labour Party, file boxes
The commission is unable to consider the complaint due to Parliamentary privilege. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-16, election advertisement, phone canvassing
Complaint of phone canvassing being non-complying election advertising to be referred to the Police for investigation as insufficient information available for commission to determine whether belief of offence exists. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-15, PPTA billboard
PPTA billboard not an election advertisement. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-14, Labour Party, budget pamphlet
Labour Party pamphlet about the 2008 Budget had the correct promoter statement. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-13, National, van
Sign-written National Party van not an election advertisement. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-12, Labour, wheel cover
A spare wheel cover with words and a Labour Party logo is an election advertisement without a promoter statement, but not displayed wilfully so no offence committed. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-11, Progressive, newspaper advertisement
Progressive advertisement appearing in the Southland Express on 10 April 2008 re BZP is an election advertisement without a promoter statement and will be reported to the Police. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-10, New Zealand First, newspaper advertisement
New Zealand First advertisement “What’s in it for us?” published in several daily newspapers on 9 April 2008 is not an election advertisement. Read more »
Applications to register a party and a party logo
Public comment is invited by 5pm Thurs 14 Aug '08 on applications to register Workers Party of New Zealand (Workers Party) and a party logo for the The Bill and Ben Party (B&B). Read more »
Electoral Commission meeting summary
Decisions made at a meeting of the commission today (29 Jul '08): four relating to registration of parties or logos, five relating to listing of third parties, two relating to late donations returns, nine relating to complaints under the Electoral Finance Act 2007. Read more »
E 47,000 ngā Māori kua ngaro i te rārangi ingoa kaipōti
E whakaatu ana ngā tauanga hōu he tata ki te 47,000 ngā Māori i whakaurua i tētahi wā o ngā tau e toru kua hipa atu kāore i te rārangi ingoa ināianei. Read more »
Electoral Commission Decision 2008-03 Late Annual Donations The Republic of New Zealand Party
The Republic of New Zealand Party’s donation return for 2007 was filed after the due date. Read more »
Electoral Commission Decision 2008-02 Late Annual Donations Libertarianz
Annual returns of party donations were required to be filed with the Electoral Commission by 30 April 2008. Read more »
Electoral Commission Decision 2008-04 Late Annual Donations Direct Democracy Party
The Direct Democracy Party’s donation return for 2007 was filed after the due date. Read more »
Electoral Commission Decision 2008-05 Late Annual Donations ACT New Zealand
ACT New Zealand’s donation return for 2007 was filed after the due date. Read more »
Information for Parliamentary Candidates and their Financial Agents
The Chief Electoral Office has updated its guidance for parliamentary candidates and financial agents for the 2008 general election. Read more »
New electoral rolls open for the public to view
The Electoral Enrolment Centre is urging people to check just released electoral rolls, as another milestone towards the 2008 general election is reached. Read more »
Vacancy - Kids Voting co-ordinator
The Electoral Commission is hosting this five-month co-ordination role helping secondary students and their teachers experience the general election through the Kids Voting programme. Applications close Thurs 10 Jul '08. Read more »
Applications to register parties and a party logo
Public comment is invited by 5pm Thurs 17 Jul '08 on applications to register: The Bill and Ben Party (B&B), RAM - Residents Action Movement, and a logo for New Zealand Pacific Party. Read more »
New List MP for The Green Party
The Chief Electoral Officer has declared Russel Norman from Wellington elected to Parliament from The Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand list. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-09, New Zealand First, display of banners in Tauranga
Finding on banners displayed in Tauranga promoting New Zealand First did not display promoter statements. Contravention of the Electoral Finance Act 2007, by failure to display promoter statements. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-08, Green Party, three posters displayed in Morningside, Auckland
Finding on posters promoting the Green Party did not display promoter statements, however no offence committed because the financial agent did not wilfully contravene the Act. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-07, National Party, pamphlet
Finding of complaint re flyer entitled "Join the conversation". No contravention of the Electoral Finance Act 2007. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-06, Green Party, billboard non-compliant promoter statements
Finding that promoter statement on a billboard in Wellington did not contain the correct address but offence is so inconsequential to the public interest that the matter will not be reported to the Police. Read more »
Almost one in ten people still to enrol for preliminary Electoral roll
One in ten New Zealanders only has until Friday (20 June) to get enrolled in time to go on the preliminary electoral roll. Read more »
e-news, No 11, June '08
In this issue: Enrolment drive in full swing; Help spread the enrolment message; Wanted: trainers, operations and human resources managers; Access 08 – May update Read more »
Electoral Commission meeting summary
The Electoral Commission decided today on four election advertising complaints and on four parties' explanations for late annual donation returns, with details of these decisions expected to be released next week. Read more »
Kua tangohia i te rārangi ingoa kaipōti he kotahi i roto i te tokorima o ngā māori kua oti te whakauru
Tata ki te 50,000 ngā tāngata kua tangohia i te rārangi ingoa kaipōti i te marama kua hipa atu nei – otirā, kotahi i roto i te tokorima he Māori nō Aotearoa. Read more »
Almost 50,000 kiwis removed from Electoral roll
Almost 50,000 people have been removed from the electoral roll in the past month – the same as a complete electorate of voters losing the right to vote or about the same as the winning margin of party votes recorded at the 2005 election. Read more »
Deadline for disclosure of donations exceeding $20k - reminder to parties
The Electoral Commission has issued a reminder to party financial agents and party secretaries of the 10 day deadline for filing returns of donations exceeding $20,000. Read more »
Electoral Commission decision 2008-01, Green Party, return of party donation exceeding $20k
Finding of failure to file the return within 10 working days of receipt of the relevant donation, however no offence committed as there was reasonable excuse. Read more »
Shift of kiwis overseas reflected in election enrolment figures
Close to 48,000* Kiwis living overseas are enrolled to vote for this year’s election – a 35 percent increase on the same time before the 2005 election. Read more »
Electoral Commission registration decisions and consideration of late donation returns
At its meeting of 19 May 2008, the commission made the following decisions Read more »
Got your enrolment update pack yet? If not - get enrolled now
Missed something in your mail box this week? If you haven’t got an enrolment update pack by now you’re not correctly enrolled to vote. Read more »
Enrolment drive starts despite poor awareness it is election year
A major enrolment drive for this year’s election kicks off Monday 5 May - at a time when research shows many people don’t even know its election year. Read more »
Ka tīmata te whiunga whakauru kaipōti ahakoa te iti o te mōhio he tau pōtitanga tēnei
Āpōpō ka tīmata he whiunga whakauru kaipōti nui rawa mō te pōtitanga o tēnei tau (Rāhina 5 Haratua 2008) – ahakoa e whakaaturia mai ana te rangahau kāore te tokomaha e mōhio ana he tau pōtitanga tēnei Read more »
尽管有很多人还不知道今年是大选年大选登记现在已经开始进行 (Chinese)
今年的大选登记活动从明天(2008 年5 月5 日星期一)开始。有研究表明，很多人至今并不知道 今年是大选年。 Read more »
Welcome to our refreshed website!
The Elections New Zealand website has been refreshed to: improve navigation and accessibility, better integrate content for different user groups, and reflect new electoral activities. Information relating to this year's general election is being added progressively. Fine tuning and content migration will continue over the next couple of weeks. Key changes are... Read more »
Commission to hear parties on broadcasting time and funding
The Electoral Commission's allocation of funds and time for broadcast election advertising by parties takes significant steps next week with the hearing and consideration of parties' submissions on the process. Read more »
Electoral Commission registration decisions and consideration of complaints
New Zealand Pacific Party was registered today by the Electoral Commission, along with a logo for Kiwi Party, and "The ACT Party" as an abbreviation for ACT New Zealand. Three complaints alleging missing promoter statements were put before the commission and remain under consideration. Read more »
Application to register a political party logo
The Electoral Commission is considering an application to register a political party logo for No Commercial Airport at Whenuapai Airbase. Public comment is invited before 5pm, Thu 8 May '08. Read more »
Applications to register political party logos
The Electoral Commission is considering applications to register logos for The Alliance, Democrats for social credit, New Zealand Liberal Party, and The Family Party. Public comment is invited before 5pm, Thursday, 27 March Read more »
Listing of EPMU as a third party - Electoral Commission decision
The Electoral Commission has decided to list the New Zealand Amalgamated Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union Inc (EPMU) as a third party. Read more »
Electoral Commission consideration of Electoral Finance Act matters
The Electoral Commission this afternoon made decisions relating to a range of matters raised with it under the Electoral Finance Act. Read more »
Five party logos and abbreviated party name registered
Five party logos and an abbreviated party name were registered today by the Electoral Commission. Read more »
Applications to register a political party and a party logo
The Electoral Commission is considering applications to register New World Order as a political party and a logo for The Kiwi Party. Read more »
Research report released - MMP, e-voting, electoral finance
Public attitudes to e-voting are covered in the release of the Electoral Commission's 2007 quantitative research project final report. Understanding of MMP and attitudes to electoral campaigning and finance propositions have previously been released as extracts. Read more »
Election advertisement authorisation - Full residential address statement
A media article dated 7 March reports that the Chief Electoral Officer agrees that the promoter statement required in party election advertisements promoted by the party’s financial agent under the Electoral Finance Act can include the address of the party. This is not the view of the Chief Electoral Officer. Read more »
New List MP for New Zealand Labour Party
New List MP for New Zealand Labour Party Read more »
New list MP for New Zealand First Party
New List MP For New Zealand First Party Read more »
The Kiwi Party registered
The Kiwi Party was added to the register of political parties today by the Electoral Commission. Read more »
The Kiwi Party - Application to register a political party
The Electoral Commission is considering an application made under Part 4 of the Electoral Act 1993 to register The Kiwi Party. Public comment is invited before 5pm, Fri, 8 Feb 08. Read more »
Caution to Elections NZ website users
Users of the Elections NZ website are advised that guidance relating to donations, campaigning, election expenses, and broadcasting with "last modified" dates of earlier than 18 December 2007 may need revision to reflect changes resulting from the Electoral Finance Act 2007, Electoral Amendment Act 2007, and Broadcasting Amendment Act (No 2) 2007. A summary of these changes is available, and existing guidance will be updated where required during early 2008. Read more »
NEW ZEALAND PACIFIC PARTY - Application to register party name and abbreviation
The Electoral Commission is considering an application made under Part 4 of the Electoral Act 1993 to register NEW ZEALAND PACIFIC PARTY (NZ PACIFIC PARTY). Public comment is invited by Friday, 1 February 2008. Read more »
Job vacancy - statutory relationships administrator or manager
A pivotal election year relationship management role, helping political parties and third parties know about, understand, and comply with their legal obligations, as well as helping manage the Electoral Commission’s own relationship, accountability and reporting requirements with the government and with parliament. Flexible, half-time position. Applications close midday, 4 Febuary 2008. Read more »