Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Voter turnout generally up in local body elections

Updated at 3:04 pm on 9 October 2010

Voting in local body elections has been up on 2007, with the Auckland super city reforms boosting voting there to more than 50%.

The deadline for voting passed at midday on Saturday for 85 city, district and regional councils and 20 district health boards.

The overseeing body, Local Government New Zealand, says voter turnout is generally up on the last election in 2007.

In Auckland, the super city reforms boosted voting from just under 35% to an expected tally of more than 50%.

Dunedin was also nearing the 50% turnout mark, as was Nelson.

However, in Wellington, response was estimated at about 37%.

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