Elections
This page contains different parts of laws about Elections, within the topic of Government and voting.
Related Plain Language Law
Conservation Act 1987
How to Run Elections for Fish and Game Councils
26Z: Conduct of elections
Civil Defence Emergency Management Act 2002
Parliament must meet within 7 days if a national emergency is declared
67: Parliament must meet if state of national emergency declared
Local Government Act 2002
Checking if the rules for local councils are working well
32: Review of operation of Act and Local Electoral Act 2001
Local Government Act 2002
How local councils are run and who's in charge
41: Governing bodies
Local Government Act 2002
Who can be part of a community board
50: Membership of community boards
Local Government Act 2002
Who can vote about changes to small water services
132: Eligibility to vote in referendum
Local Government Act 2002
Who runs a special vote when a small water service might close or move
133: Responsibility for conduct of referendum
Local Government Act 2002
Local councils must make a plan to work together for three years
273: First triennial agreement
Local Government Act 2002
A report explaining important local council issues before an election
99A: Pre-election report
Local Government Act 2002
Changes to local council rules when big changes are being planned
24A: Transitional modification or suspension of certain statutory requirements after issue of reorganisation plan
Local Government Act 2002
The Minister can delay a local election if they put a special group in charge of the local council.
258I: Minister may postpone general election when appointing Commission
Local Government Act 2002
What happens to the election date if a local election is postponed
258J: Timing of election following postponed election
Local Government Act 2002
The Minister can decide to hold a general election for local councils.
Local Government Act 2002
The Minister can decide to hold a special election for a local council if they think it's not working properly.
258M: Minister may call general election
Local Government Act 2002
The Minister can choose to talk to anyone about certain decisions
258N: Minister may consult any person
Local Government Act 2002
Minister must tell you before calling a special vote and give you a chance to respond
258R: Notice to local authority of proposed general election
Local Government Act 2002
Who can be on a local board and how they get chosen
48E: Membership of local boards
Building Act 2004
Rules about how people can be taken to court for breaking election laws and made to pay fines
375: Prosecution of offences
Electoral Act 1993
Authorities can search for evidence of cheating during elections
226A: Power to issue search warrants in respect of illegal practice
Electoral Act 1993
Electoral Act 1993
Who can pay for ads to help a candidate get elected?
205A: Persons who may incur election expenses in relation to candidate advertisement
Electoral Act 1993
Breaking election expense rules can get you in trouble
205B: Offence to incur unauthorised election expense
Electoral Act 1993
How much money a candidate can spend on their election campaign
205C: Maximum amount of candidate's total election expenses
Electoral Act 1993
How to fairly split costs of election ads published before and during the election period
205D: Apportionment of advertising expenses for publication of candidate advertisement both before and during regulated period
Electoral Act 1993
How to share the costs of election ads between candidates
205E: Apportionment of election expenses of election advertisement between candidates
Electoral Act 1993
Breaking the law by spending too much money on election expenses
205F: Offence to pay election expenses in excess of prescribed maximum
Electoral Act 1993
Time limits for sorting out election expense claims and payments
205G: Periods for claiming and paying candidate's election expenses
Electoral Act 1993
What happens if someone disputes a claim for election expenses
205H: Procedure if claim disputed
Electoral Act 1993
Paying a late claim for election expenses: asking the court for extra time
205I: Leave to pay claim after time limitation
Electoral Act 1993
Keep a record of election expenses over $50 with an invoice and receipt.
205J: Invoice and receipt required for election expenses of $50 or more
Electoral Act 1993
Telling the Electoral Commission how much you spent on your election campaign
205K: Return of candidate's election expenses
Electoral Act 1993
Candidates outside New Zealand can still file election expenses on time if they follow the rules.
205M: Return may be filed after time limitation if candidate outside New Zealand
Electoral Act 1993
Breaking the rules about reporting election expenses can lead to big fines or worse.
205N: Offences relating to return of candidate's election expenses
Electoral Act 1993
Candidates must keep records to prove their election expenses are correct.
205O: Obligation to retain records necessary to verify return of candidate's election expenses
Electoral Act 1993
The Electoral Commission must report election law breakers to the Police.
205P: Duty of Electoral Commission
Electoral Act 1993
Chief Electoral Officer must send candidate's election expense details to Electoral Commission
205Q: Return of candidate's election expenses to be sent by Chief Electoral Officer to Electoral Commission
Electoral Act 1993
Candidates' election spending is made public so you can see how much they spent.
205R: Return of candidate's election expenses to be publicly available
Electoral Act 1993
Breaking the law with public money is still not allowed
205S: Unlawful use of public money not validated
Electoral Act 1993
Electoral Act 1993
Who can pay for ads for a political party
206A: Persons who may incur election expenses in relation to party advertisement
Electoral Act 1993
Breaking election expense rules can get you in trouble
206B: Offence to incur unauthorised election expense
Electoral Act 1993
How much a political party can spend on an election
206C: Maximum amount of party's total election expenses
Electoral Act 1993
Paying too much for election expenses can get you in trouble
206D: Offence to pay election expenses in excess of prescribed maximum
Electoral Act 1993
Claiming and paying for election expenses: time limits for parties
206E: Periods for claiming and paying party's election expenses
Electoral Act 1993
What happens if someone disputes a claim for election expenses
206F: Procedure if claim disputed
Electoral Act 1993
Paying a claim late: asking the court for extra time
206G: Leave to pay claim after time limitation
Electoral Act 1993
Get a receipt and invoice for election expenses over $100
206H: Invoice and receipt required for election expenses of $100 or more
Electoral Act 1993
Parties must report their election spending to the Electoral Commission after the election.
206I: Return of party's election expenses
Electoral Act 1993
Choosing an auditor for your political party
206J: Appointment of auditor for party
Electoral Act 1993
Who can be chosen to check the election finances
206K: Persons eligible to be appointed as auditor
Electoral Act 1993
A report from an auditor to check a party's election expenses are correct and within the limit.
206L: Auditor's report on return of party's election expenses
Electoral Act 1993
Breaking the rules about reporting party election expenses can lead to big fines and trouble.
206N: Offences relating to return of party's election expenses and return of party’s allocation expenses
Electoral Act 1993
Parties must keep records to prove their election expense returns are correct.
206O: Obligation to retain records necessary to verify return of party's election expenses
Electoral Act 1993
The Electoral Commission's job is to report election law breaks to the Police.
206P: Duty of Electoral Commission
Electoral Act 1993
Parties' election spending is made public for you to see.
206Q: Return of party's election expenses and return of party’s allocation expenses to be publicly available
Electoral Act 1993
Breaking the law with public money is still not allowed
206R: Unlawful use of public money not validated
Electoral Act 1993
Electoral Act 1993
Donations and contributions include the extra GST cost
207A: Donations and contributions include GST
Electoral Act 1993
Pass on donations to candidates or parties within 10 working days
207B: Donations to be transmitted to candidate or party secretary
Electoral Act 1993
Say who gave money to help a candidate, if it's from many people or over a certain amount.
207C: Contributors to be identified
Electoral Act 1993
Breaking donation rules on purpose can lead to a big fine
207D: Offence relating to contravention of section 207C
Electoral Act 1993
Say who really gave the money when someone else passes it on
207E: Identity of donor to be disclosed by transmitter, if known
Electoral Act 1993
Breaking the rules about showing who donated money can get you in trouble
207F: Offence relating to contravention of section 207E
Electoral Act 1993
Telling candidates and parties who gave them over $1,500 anonymously
207G: Disclosure of identity of donor
Electoral Act 1993
Breaking rules to hide who donated money can get you in trouble and a big fine.
207H: Offence relating to contravention of section 207G
Electoral Act 1993
What happens to donations when you don't know who gave them
207I: Anonymous donations
Electoral Act 1993
Breaking the rules about election agreements on purpose is against the law
207J: Offence relating to contravention of section 207I
Electoral Act 1993
Donations from overseas can't be more than $50, or you must return the extra amount.
207K: Overseas donation or contribution may not exceed $50
Electoral Act 1993
Breaking rules about donations from overseas can be against the law
207L: Offence relating to contravention of section 207K
Electoral Act 1993
Candidates must keep accurate records of donations they receive to ensure a fair election.
207M: Records of candidate donations
Electoral Act 1993
Parties must keep accurate records of all donations they receive
207N: Records of party donations
Electoral Act 1993
The Electoral Commission must report serious donation rule-breakers to the Police.
207O: Duty of Electoral Commission in relation to donations
Electoral Act 1993
The Electoral Commission's old job of watching donations is no longer part of the law.
207P: Duty of Electoral Commission in relation to donations
Electoral Act 1993
Electoral Act 1993
How to make a secret donation to a political party over $1,500
208A: Method of making donation protected from disclosure
Electoral Act 1993
There's a limit on how much money a political party can keep secret from donors
208B: Limit on maximum amount of donations protected from disclosure
Electoral Act 1993
Electoral Commission must help you understand election money limits.
208C: Duty of Electoral Commission to provide advice on actual figures under section 208B
Electoral Act 1993
What the Electoral Commission must do when they get a donation for a political party
208D: Duties of Electoral Commission on receipt of donation
Electoral Act 1993
When parties get money from the Electoral Commission during and after elections
208E: Timing of payment to parties
Electoral Act 1993
Breaking the law by sharing secrets about who donates money to a political party
208F: Offence of prohibited disclosure
Electoral Act 1993
The Electoral Commission must report on money they get and spend, and tell us every 3 months and every year.
208G: Duty of Electoral Commission to report
Electoral Act 1993
Electoral Act 1993
Telling them you have no information to share about election expenses
209A: Nil return
Electoral Act 1993
Breaking the rules about reporting donations when you're a candidate can lead to big fines.
209B: Offences relating to return of candidate donations
Electoral Act 1993
Candidates must keep donation records to prove their returns are correct.
209C: Obligation to retain records necessary to verify return of candidate donations
Electoral Act 1993
Chief Electoral Officer must send candidate donation information to the Electoral Commission
209D: Return of candidate donations to be sent by Chief Electoral Officer to Electoral Commission
Electoral Act 1993
Candidate donations are made public for you to see
209E: Return of candidate donations to be publicly available
Electoral Act 1993
Electoral Act 1993
Tell the Electoral Commission about big donations over $20,000 to your party
210C: Return of party donation received from same donor exceeding $20,000
Electoral Act 1993
Breaking the rules about reporting party donations can lead to big fines or serious trouble
210D: Offences relating to return of party donations
Electoral Act 1993
Parties must keep donation records to ensure honesty and transparency.
210E: Obligation to retain records necessary to verify return of party donations
Electoral Act 1993
People can see what donations political parties get and how much they are
210F: Return of party donations to be publicly available
Electoral Act 1993
No paying people to display election signs on their property, unless it's their job.
219: Payments for exhibition of election notices
Electoral Act 1993
Rules about ads for politicians and parties are no longer a law
221: Advertisements for candidates and political parties
Electoral Act 1993
Rules for displaying election posters and ads before voting day
221B: Display of advertisement of a specified kind
Electoral Act 1993
Rules for certain election advertisements to keep roads safe
267A: Regulations relating to advertisement of a specified kind
Electoral Act 1993
Before the Minister can suggest new election rules, they must follow some steps and get agreement from other politicians.
267B: Requirements before Minister can recommend that regulations be made
Electoral Act 1993
The Electoral Commission: a government organisation that helps with elections
4B: Electoral Commission
Electoral Act 1993
The Electoral Commission's main goal is to run elections fairly and help you understand how they work.
4C: Objective
Electoral Act 1993
Who is on the Electoral Commission team and how are they chosen?
4D: Membership of Electoral Commission
Electoral Act 1993
Being on the Electoral Commission doesn't change a Judge's job or pay.
4E: Appointment of Judge as member not to affect tenure, etc
Electoral Act 1993
How to quit your job on the Electoral Commission
4F: Resignation of member
Electoral Act 1993
When can Electoral Commission members be removed or suspended from their job?
4G: Power to remove or suspend members
Electoral Act 1993
What happens when an Electoral Commission member leaves and how they get replaced
4H: Filling of vacancy
Electoral Act 1993
Who can be a deputy to help an Electoral Commissioner do their job
4I: Deputy Electoral Commissioners
Electoral Act 1993
Rules for the team that runs New Zealand's elections fairly
4J: Proceedings of Electoral Commission
Electoral Act 1993
What the Electoral Commission used to do before it was stopped in 2010
4: Electoral Commission
Electoral Act 1993
The law about Crown Entities also applies to the Electoral Commission.
4A: Crown Entities Act 2004 to apply
Electoral Act 1993
The Electoral Commission's main jobs are to follow rules, teach people, and help with elections.
5: Functions
Crimes Act 1961
It's illegal to give or receive bribes to influence what a member of Parliament does in their job.
103: Corruption and bribery of member of Parliament
Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012
Choosing the first people to be in charge of a new alcohol licensing trust in your area
310: First election of members
Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012
Voting for licensing trusts happens on the same day as big council elections after the first vote.
311: Second and later elections
Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012
Who can vote for people to help decide about alcohol sales in their area?
312: Who is qualified to vote in election of members of licensing trust
Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012
How to Run a Fair Election for Licensing Trust Members
313: Conduct of election
Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012
Who can vote for a licensing trust is decided by the electoral roll, a list of people in an area who can vote.
314: Electoral roll
Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012
Changing the number of members for a ward takes effect at the next big election
339: Alteration of number of members for ward takes effect at next triennial general election of members
Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012
Voting on a plan to merge alcohol licensing trusts
343: Poll on amalgamation proposal
Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012
Some community trusts keep working as usual and have elections with other local elections.
360: Existing community trust continues in existence
Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012
Choosing people to help make decisions for your community trust
370: Election of trustees
Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012
Who can vote for community trust leaders where they live
371: Who is qualified to vote in election of trustees of community trust
Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012
How to choose trustees for a community trust by voting
372: Conduct of election of trustees
Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012
Who can vote for community trust leaders is decided by a special list of people who live in the area
373: Electoral roll for election of trustees
Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012
Who can be chosen for a licensing trust
309: Qualification to be elected or appointed member
Public Works Act 1981
Creating a list of people who can vote on new irrigation plans
204: Preparation of rolls
Public Works Act 1981
How to vote on an irrigation scheme
207: When and how poll to be taken
Employment Relations Act 2000
Unions need special voting before they can ask many bosses to make one big work agreement together
45: One or more unions proposing to initiate bargaining with 2 or more employers for single collective agreement
Employment Relations Act 2000
The secret ballot asks workers how they want to negotiate together for a work agreement.
46: Terms of question for secret ballot
Employment Relations Act 2000
Rules about voting in secret don't apply when making a new deal to replace an old one with the same people and jobs
48: When requirement for secret ballot does not apply
Constitution Act 1986
New Zealand's House of Representatives: a group of elected members who make laws for the country
10: House of Representatives
Constitution Act 1986
Members of Parliament must promise to be loyal to New Zealand before they start work.
11: Oath of allegiance to be taken by members of Parliament
Constitution Act 1986
The Speaker keeps their job even if Parliament ends or a new election is held.
13: Speaker to continue in office notwithstanding dissolution or expiration of Parliament
Constitution Act 1986
How long MPs get to make decisions for you: 3 years
17: Term of Parliament
Constitution Act 1986
Parliament's first meeting after a general election must happen within 6 weeks of the results being announced
19: First meeting of Parliament after general election
Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill
Defining rules for understanding Treaty principles in New Zealand law
Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill
Explaining what the Treaty of Waitangi means for New Zealand's laws
Principles of the Treaty of Waitangi Bill
When this law starts working depends on what New Zealand voters decide
2: Commencement
About this project
What is this project?
How do we do this?
Why is the law written like it is?
Should we use AI for this?
Is this information the actual law?
You can talk to Community Law or Citizen's Advice Bureau about your rights.
Remember that AI can make mistakes, and just reading the law isn't enough to understand how it could be used in court.