23 Mar 2015

Maori voters must choose roll

8:06 pm on 23 March 2015

The Electoral Commission is reminding new Maori voters of their choices in the lead-up to the Northland by-election.

ballot box

Photo: RNZ

Election day is Saturday, but record numbers of Northlanders have chosen to vote early at polling places around the electorate.

Registrar of Electors Deborah Darton said Maori voters enrolling for the first time could choose whether to go on the Maori roll or the General roll.

If they choose the Maori roll, they'll be in Te Tai Tokerau electorate and won't be able to vote in the by-election.

If they choose the general roll, they will be able to vote in it.

Ms Darton said the roll that first-time Maori voters choose now will also be the roll they are on for the next general election, which cannot be changed until 2018.

To be eligible to vote in the by-election, people must be over 18; be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident; and have lived in the Northland electorate for at least one month.