Voting has opened for this year's local body elections.
Postal voting forms for city, district and regional councils, and District Health Boards are being put in the mail on Friday.
They have to be returned by midday on 12 October.
Local Government New Zealand says on average, about 50% of those eligible cast a vote in local body elections.
It says research shows a large proportion of people who don't vote are too busy or simply forget.
It's reminding the public to not put voting papers aside when they arrive, and return them as soon as possible.
Local Government's chief executive Malcolm Alexander says the election is an opportunity to play a part in picking the people who will make important community decisions.
