Proposed Voting Changes: What’s at Stake for Our Whānau

Proposed Voting Changes Whats at Stake for Our Whanau

Our voting system is meant to make participation easy and accessible for everyone – but a proposed law change could take us backwards. The coalition government wants to remove same-day enrolment, making it harder for many of our whānau to have their voices heard. Adding yet another barrier to the process. This hits Māori, Pacific peoples and rangatahi the hardest, as these groups are likely to enrol during the voting period.

How It Works Now

Right now, you can enrol and vote on the same day, even on election day itself. This flexibility has been a game-changer, catching first-time voters, people who’ve moved, or those who decide at the last minute they want to vote. If you enrol during the advanced voting period or on election day, your vote is counted as a special vote.

Special votes are for people who can’t vote in the usual way, often because they enrol when they vote, their details have changed, are overseas, or have disabilities keeping them from physically attending a voting place. 48% of Māori voters aged 18-19 enrolled during the voting period in 2023.[1] The proposed change would no longer allow this. 16% of all votes in 2023 were special votes (23% of Māori and 34% of Pacific voters).[2] Many of those special votes would have been voters who chose to enrol and vote on the same day.

The new proposal would remove this option altogether. If you’re not already enrolled before the advanced voting period begins (12 days before election day), you won’t be able to cast a vote at all.

Why the Government Wants This

The coalition government says removing the same day enrolment will “reduce pressure on the system” and make the voting process “more efficient.” They argue that special votes, which are created when people enrol late, slow down the count and add extra admin work.

But let’s be honest, this isn’t about efficiency. Same day enrolment exists because people face real barriers. It’s a choice that prioritises convenience for the system over the voices of our community.

Why This Matters

Removing same-day enrolment is a deliberate hurdle between people and the ballot box. It weakens our democracy by shutting out anyone who wasn’t enrolled early enough. A decision that disproportionately affects Māori, Pacific peoples, and rangatahi.

Even the Attorney-General Judith Collins has flagged this change as inconsistent with human rights, and constitutional experts warn it will disenfranchise tens of thousands of people.[3]

This isn’t about relieving the “strain on the system” – it’s about limiting participation.

Our Stance

At Hāpai Te Hauora, we believe every whānau member deserves the chance to have their voice heard, without unnecessary barriers. Same day enrolment has been critical in helping Māori, Pacific peoples, and rangatahi participate in our democracy. Removing it takes us backwards.

This is not just a technical change, it’s a direct hit to the voting of communities that are already underrepresented. We stand firmly against this proposal and will continue to advocate for voting processes that are inclusive, fair, and uphold the mana of every voice.

What You Can Do

Speak up. Let your MP know you oppose this change.
Spread the word – post, share, kōrero with your whānau and friends so they understand what’s at stake. Be ready to make a submission if the public gets a chance to give their say.
Check your enrolment now: vote.nz

Democracy should be accessible to everyone. Let’s protect our right to vote.