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Referendums Framework Bill

Referendum advertising - Registered promoters - Returns of referendum expenses

72: Return of registered promoter’s referendum expenses

You could also call this:

"Telling the Electoral Commission how much you spent on a referendum"

Illustration for Referendums Framework Bill

If you are a registered promoter and you spend more than $100,000 on a referendum, this section applies to you. You must tell the Electoral Commission how much you spent on the referendum within 70 working days after the referendum was held. You have to fill out a return of referendum expenses in the form the Electoral Commission says you must use.

If you are not a person or a company, the person who represents you must fill out the return. This person must be allowed to do this job for you. They will file the return with the Electoral Commission for you.

You must follow the rules set by the Electoral Commission when you fill out the return. The Electoral Commission will tell you what form to use when you file your return under subsection 2.

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This page was last updated on 25 August 2025

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=LMS1028744.

Topics:

Government and voting > Elections

71: Invoice and receipt required for referendum expenses of $50 or more, or

"Get a receipt and invoice for referendum spending over $50"

73: Electoral Commission may require auditor’s report on return of registered promoter’s referendum expenses, or

"The Electoral Commission can ask for a special report to check if a promoter's referendum expenses are honest and correct."

Part 3Referendum advertising
Registered promoters: Returns of referendum expenses

72Return of registered promoter’s referendum expenses

This section applies to a registered promoter whose total expenses during a regulated period in relation to a referendum exceed $100,000.
Within 70 working days after the date on which the referendum was held, the registered promoter must file a return of referendum expenses with the Electoral Commission.
If the registered promoter is not an individual or a company, the return must be filed by the registered promoter’s representative who is duly authorised to file the return.
A return filed under subsection (2) must be in the form required by the Electoral Commission.