6 Sep 2017

Overseas voting begins

2:17 pm on 6 September 2017

New Zealanders who are living or travelling overseas can cast their vote in the general election from today.

no caption

Photo: NZ ELECTORAL COMMISSION

"Being out of the country doesn't mean you have to miss out on voting and having your say in the election," chief electoral officer Alicia Wright said.

About 53,000 people are were currently enrolled with an overseas address, with the highest numbers in Australia (31,000) and the United Kingdom (9700).

Those living or travelling overseas can either return a postal vote; download, scan and upload a vote; or vote in person at many New Zealand embassies and high commissions.

People can still also enroll until midnight on 22 September, the day before the election.

Citizens who have been in New Zealand in the past three years, and permanent residents who have been in the country within the last 12 months are eligible to enrol and vote.

"If you're heading away on an overseas trip closer to election day, you can cast a vote before you leave at any advance voting place from Monday 11 September, or you can contact your local returning officer if you need to vote before then," Ms Wright said.

"There will also be advance voting facilities in the Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch International Airports in the week before election day, so travellers can vote before they leave the country," she said.

More information on overseas voting can be found at the electoral commission's website or by calling 0800 36 76 56.

Get the RNZ app

for ad-free news and current affairs